Renting a car while traveling can be a huge plus if, say, you want to explore non-tourist places on your own, meet the sunrise in the mountains, or explore a country where public transport is poorly developed. But abroad there are also risks, reports TripBest.
Most often, travelers are deceived against the background of tourist euphoria at the time of rent (and therefore, with dulling of attention) and ignorance of the local mentality and features. Always carefully read the terms of the rental of the transport you have chosen.
“You damaged your car”
When renting a car or bike, carefully examine and photograph any damage. You may be deliberately rushed when checking – do not give in to pressure. After all, when you return the rented car, you may be charged.
If you do damage your rental car, search the internet for ex-pats living in the area and ask them about repairs. Repairing it yourself will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than paying the price that the rental office will declare (the price will be greatly inflated).
Block the doors
While you are standing at a traffic light, thieves can open doors and rob you. This is especially common in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, and South Africa. Always lock all vehicle doors.
On rare occasions, criminals will be armed with a hammer or similar object to break closed windows; especially often practiced if there is only a female driver inside the car.
In even rarer cases and countries, a hijacker may be armed with a pistol while waiting for traffic lights or in traffic. Alas, it is almost impossible to secure in this case.
Parking issues
Fraud related to parking on allegedly “private territory”. You parked the car, walked away, and upon your return, some person and a wheel blocker on your car are waiting for you. The person reports that you parked on private property and suggests calling the police or dispersing amicably. Here the bet is made on acting skills and pressure. Calmly ask to see documents about a private territory, and if a person does not have such a document with him (and he does not), feel free to call the police.
In countries with a high level of danger, the following can happen: you parked, then several “suspicious” personalities will come up to you and say that they will follow your car in exchange for a small amount. In this case, tourists are most often recommended to part with the announced amount.
$5 upgrade
If you are picking up a car at the airport, a staff member may ask you if you would like to take a higher-class car for an additional $5. 5 bucks? Sounds good.
But in a month, you may receive an additional bill for $400, which will turn out to be a “higher class car insurance fee” that the employee “forgot to mention.”
“Parking ticket”
Upon returning from a store or cafe, you may find a ticket for improper parking. The paper looks official and like a real one, with the only condition that you can pay via the Internet. And the site, of course, will look like the official one.
Before you run to pay such fines, study the receipt. See what kind of site it is, and read about paying fines via the Internet in your country. In case of difficulty, contact the police for advice.
Paid travel
The actual fare is tied to existing structures. However, in some rural areas, makeshift gates or barriers can be installed to block the road that tourists often travel on – they are required to pay fares through this makeshift checkpoint. The gate or barrier is designed in such a way that you do not have a shadow of a doubt that you need to pay a fixed amount for travel or entry.