Q: I'm disputing an overcharged bill for hail damage on car rental. I have proof by pictures i took. What can I do?
Car rental for minor hail damage. They are grossly over charging me. Their pics they took are really bad. I took pics at the same moment I returned it. I also paid $1,000 on that same day that they have not shown on any paperwork. I have requested but they won't show it was deducted off of charges. I keep disputing bill. My pics are very clear and prove minor damage. I know if I can go to court, I know I could win this dispute. They are sending to collections. What can I do? They originally sent Bill to my insurance company I had when I first got rental. But I no longer had this insurance co. So they sent me the bill. They charged me for new head or tail lights. They were never broken. I know I have to pay for damage. But they are overcharging me. They said there was a lot of hail damage that was deep. That is not true. It was very little and minor.
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A:
To resolve this situation, gather all of the evidence you have, including the clear photos you took at the time of returning the car, any written communications with the rental company, and the proof of your $1,000 payment. Ensure your documentation clearly shows the discrepancy between the rental company’s claims and the actual damage.
You should formally dispute the charges in writing, outlining the discrepancies and attaching your proof, and send this via certified mail to the rental company. This way, you have a record that they received it. It’s important to continue asking for documentation of the $1,000 payment, and you can escalate by mentioning that you are considering legal action due to the overcharge and lack of transparency.
If the rental company continues to send the charges to collections without addressing your dispute, you can file a complaint with your state's consumer protection office or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If necessary, you can also take the company to small claims court, where your evidence could support your case. Keep all records of communication and any further charges they attempt to add.
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