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4 months after returning our rental car to the Hertz Agency in Idaho Falls Airport, I received notice that a claim of damage to the car was made in the amount of $978.80 with add'l charges totaling $1513.35! Four of us checked out the car when we returned it and notified the clerk that we ran into a hailstorm in So. Dakota and there may be a small "ding" on the windshield. The clerk said nothing about it at the time. Now, I get notice that there was damage to the rear hatch and bumper! NOT SO! We have learned a lesson the hard way...that is, NEVER rent from Hertz. Other rental companies do a walk-around with their customers before AND after the rental period. Nothing of this kind was offered by this Hertz Agency! (claim # HROWIDA 277327)
I rented a car for a day and half earlier this month, I returned the car without a single issue, the car was inspected, I was driven with the same car to departure, without any issues, a week later I got a call about the damage to the car, I told them I had no idea what they were talking about, another week later, I got another letter telling me that the car was salvaged and they will be filing a Claim and would inform me of the amount owed. This all seems like scam but I called it's actually hertz, I'll be suing them to court for false claims! Next time they will do their home work before sending letters out.
Having heard this type of horror story before, when I just rented a car from Hertz, I asked their rep to check out its condition when I returned the car. The guy took a walk around and said it looked okay. So I asked him for something to that effect in writing, and he said he wasn't authorized to do that! We went in to the Hertz counter at the airport and I spoke with two representatives there, who flat out refused to make a notation on my receipt that the car was checked and in good condition! This is absurd. I ended up waiting thirty minutes for a so-called manager to check the car and he wrote a little statement that it was okay. Good thing I arrived at the airport early or I would have missed my flight!
I received a similar claim from Hertz. I returned the car in Philly in April and in July I receive a claim for $1300. However, there was no damage when I had returned the car. What is the guarantee that the car was not damaged by their employee? Also, is this a way for Hertz to increase their revenue in a tight economy? How do I lodge a class action lawsuit against Hertz?
I just found out of a similar incorrect damage claim. I rented a car from Hertz for three days in January and returned it without damage. Now, two months later they charge me $600 for damage to the glove compartment. When I rented the car, the glove compartment could not be opened and I did not use it. I did not report it as i considered it minor. Now they try to charge it on my credit card. I just filled an objection and will make sure I'll get my money back. I would advise you to do the same. Note also that often car companies can only charge your credit card up to a certain amount of days after you returned the car. I could not find the terms&conditions on the hertz website itself, but found it on the site of a car rental search engine: http://www.drivenow.com.au/webdata/images/misc/Hertz.htm.
It says under clause 11(e): Your Card may be so charged within 30 days after the Vehicle has been returned, notwithstanding that any particular charge or amount of Damages could have been but was not charged when the Vehicle was returned.
I'm not sure about the terms and conditions in the US, but it might be worth to check.
Good luck!