Be wary of car hire scammers this Christmas, warn BVRLA

Dodgy car rental dealers could threaten to ruin this year's Christmas for some families, according to the UK's trade body for the car rental industry.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is warning customers Christmas is the opportune time of the year for bogus companies to crop up, offering supposedly cheap deals with unassuming deposits.

However the fraudsters actually end up walking away with hundreds of pounds for vehicles that never materialise, reports Fleet World Group.

"These companies offer unbeatable prices and free delivery - but they really are too good to be true," warned BVRLA chief executive, John Lewis.

Mr Lewis, who confirmed that the BVRLA has already been in touch with the police and trading standards over one scam this winter, said that customer's mustn't take bargain car rentals at face value. Instead, they should only consult BVRA accredited members for their business car hire, minibus or van leasing needs.

"Unfortunately it is very easy for fraudsters to build a simple website and set up a call centre to pass themselves off as legitimate businesses," he said , according to The Fuel Card People.

"These sham operators are damaging the reputation of car rental. We are working with the authorities to help stamp them out."