Car Rental Booking Scam
In this scam, fake car rental websites or 'customer service' numbers offer cheap deals and take a prepayment or deposit for a vehicle, then provide no car and no refund, or harvest your card details.
Quick verdict
What this scam usually looks like
In this scam, fake car rental websites or 'customer service' numbers offer cheap deals and take a prepayment or deposit for a vehicle, then provide no car and no refund, or harvest your card details.
Example message pattern
This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.
Red flags to watch for
- Prices far below other rental quotes
- Demands for prepayment by transfer or gift card
- An unofficial site or a number from a search ad
- Pressure to pay quickly to 'lock in' a deal
- No clear terms, address, or contact details
What to do
- Book through the rental company's official website or a reputable platform
- Find customer service numbers on official sites, not ads
- Pay with a method that offers buyer protection
- Verify the company and read genuine reviews
If you already clicked or replied
- If you prepaid, contact your bank or payment provider to dispute it
- Watch your card for further charges
- Keep the booking and site details as evidence
- Report the fake site or number
What not to do
- Do not prepay by transfer or gift card for a rental
- Do not call rental 'support' numbers from search ads
- Do not let a cheap price rush your decision
Similar scams
Fake Flight Booking Scam
Fake flight booking scams use lookalike travel sites or fake 'agents' to advertise unusually cheap flights. They take payment by bank transfer or card for a ticket that is never issued or is quietly cancelled, and often follow up with a fake 'your flight is cancelled, call to rebook' message designed to harvest card and passport details.
Hotel Booking Scam
Hotel booking scams use fake listings or phishing messages that pose as a booking platform or the hotel itself. They ask you to 'reconfirm' payment off-platform, pay a deposit by transfer, or update card details for a room that may not really be available. Some come from hacked hotel chat or email accounts, making the request look genuine.
Fake Online Store Scam
This scam sets up a convincing but fake store with very low prices, takes payment, and delivers nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a car rental safely?
Why avoid bank transfer for rentals?
I prepaid and there's no car. What now?
The support number was from a search result. Is that risky?
Last reviewed: June 2026