We originally reported on the story of Hertz’s shady theft reports over the fall and winter, but new details are emerging. According to a former manager at Hertz, the popular nationwide car-rental giant has allegedly been going after its own customers.
And not just with pushy upsell tactics.
Instead of relying on collections, Hertz goes right to the courts
MotorBiscuit’s Amanda Cline reported on the issue of Hertz having its customers arrested back in November. Then, we only had stories from customers. At the time, Hertz went on the record to say that claims were “meritless,” and they seem to be sticking to that story. But, there have been complaints from customers who legally rented and paid for their vehicle, but were pulled over and told their vehicle had been reported as stolen.
A few months later, a judge ordered that Hertz release rental theft report records. Hertz claims that the “vast majority” of theft reports were for vehicles that were weeks or even months overdue.
But now, we’re hearing straight from a source who worked inside the company for over a decade. He’s claiming that Hertz is “using the police department as a repo company and the court system as a collection company.”
Hertz Car Rental location in New York City | Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Whistleblower speaks out
Daniel Stokes was an employee of Hertz for 11 years, in charge of 24 locations. He worked there from 1996 until 2007, when he claims lost his job because he was unable to return a company car while on medical leave.
Hertz allegedly reported the vehicle as stolen and Stokes was arrested, prosecuted by local law enforcement, and eventually charged with embezzlement and fired.
“I don’t see how it’s legal”
Stokes shared with NewsNation that some of the thefts aren’t even thefts at all. It’s a problem with old computer systems that accidentally show current rental customers driving a supposedly stolen car that had only been returned late by the previous renter.
Even bills that did go unpaid should never have become a problem for the court system and the policy. According to Stokes, they should have only gone to a collection agency, like any other overdue bill.
“Hertz is actually using the police department as a repo company and the court system as a collection company. All of these supposed embezzlement by thefts are collection issues. They’re not actual thefts.”
Daniel Stokes
Be sure to return those library books, kids. Who knows what will happen next.
This story is still developing, and we will update as we know more.
A Hertz 'Whistleblower' Says The Company Is Using Law Enforcement As Repo Men https://t.co/D4UfTRPyTg pic.twitter.com/0f4HGIg5KD
— Jalopnik (@Jalopnik) April 6, 2022
Keyword: Whistleblower Claims Hertz is Using Cops Instead of Collections for Missing Cars