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When planning a vacation, most people are too focused on “securing” travel tickets and hotel rooms days in advance. However, there’s an equally important aspect to consider: renting a car to get around tourist destination cities.
These days, car rentals have become a convenient solution for various needs, including vacations. Especially during the holiday season, the demand for it tends to surge drastically.
This often leads to a rise in last-minute car rental services. Some of which turn out to be fraudulent or a scam.
Their method involves deceiving tourists who are in a hurry to rent a car and have difficulty finding one due to high demand. To avoid falling victim to this scam, here are some tips you can keep in mind.
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As technology advances, car rental scams have increasingly moved online. Fraudsters often use fake phone numbers and direct potential customers to make bookings through those false contacts.
Another common tactic is creating fake rental services on social media. These scammers go to great lengths, polishing their fake accounts with car photos and fabricated testimonials copied from legitimate rental providers.
Such scams frequently occur in popular tourist destinations like Bali, Yogyakarta, and Bandung. To attract victims, they often use trending hashtags such as #rentalmobilbali, #rentalmobillepaskunci, or #rentalmobilmurah.
You need to be extra cautious when searching for car rental services online. Recognize several things that indicate fraud.
Those red flags include social media accounts with closed comment sections, insistence on communicating only via private phone numbers, and pressure to make upfront payments.
If you come across a car rental service offering prices far below the market rate, be cautious. This type of scam often begins with an unusually low price to lure customers in.
In some cases, customers are pressured to transfer a sum of money as a deposit or booking fee. Be especially wary if the recipient’s bank account is a personal account rather than one registered under a company name.
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Take some time to verify the credibility of the car rental company you are considering. The easiest way to do this is by reading reviews of its service on social media or Google.
If you don’t have much time to research, it’s best to choose a rental company that’s already well-known and has a solid track record in the transportation industry.
To avoid getting scammed, try to avoid booking directly through the individuals providing the rental service. Professional car rental companies typically have official websites or dedicated apps that make the booking process easier. One such app is TRACtoGo by TRAC.
These are just a few tips to help you avoid car rental scams. It’s always safer to rent from companies with proven experience and a strong reputation, like TRAC.
TRAC is a subsidiary of PT Serasi Autoraya (SERA) and part of the Astra Group. As a pioneer in vehicle rental services in Indonesia, TRAC provides solutions for all transportation needs, both for individuals and companies.
You can rent a car for a holiday at TRAC, with a selection of vehicles ranging from MPVs to SUVs. Choose from popular models like Avanza, Xenia, Ertiga, Agya, Brio, Sigra, and Terios. For those preferring hatchbacks or sedans, options range from the Toyota Corolla Altis to the luxurious BMW 5 Series.
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MPV enthusiasts can choose from practical options like the Daihatsu Gran Max to premium models like the Toyota Alphard or Vellfire. If you prefer SUVs, consider models such as the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero, BMW X6, and Toyota Land Cruiser.
TRAC guarantees that each rental car is in healthy condition and ready to use, with a service life of under 5 years. TRAC offers comprehensive services, including 24-hour customer support and insurance.
Easily book your rental car on TRAC website main page or via the TRACtoGo app, available on the Play Store and App Store.