Budget Rent A Car - Scam (Dulles airport)

I was scammed by Budget Rent A Car @ Dulles Airport 2 days ago. I made an online reservation, and part of that reservation contained a question that asked if any "liability damage waiver" was requested. I checked "none". When we arrived to rent the car, the counter clerk asked "do you want any extra coverage"; we answered NO; the clerk printed out the form and said "initial here, here and sign here"; he then folded the rental agreement, placed it in a folder and we were on our way with our "great deal" of $139.99 per week. Upon returning the car, we were given a computerized receipt for over $335.61 in the parking lot. I went into the office to ask them why my bill was double what we asked for; the very rude guy stated that we had signed the agreement stating that we accepted LDW; I produced my online reservation copy that said "none"; he said that meant nothing because we signed the contract in the office; we told him that we had answered "no" to the rental clerk, but he told us it didn't matter what we said, it only mattered what we signed; he was very smug, almost like he had a scripted response; this is obviously one of their more popular scams; he refused to cooperate in anyway, stated that we were responsible for the bill because that's what we signed; we insisted that we said "no", but he just kept on with his smug responses; they are obviously banking on the fact that consumers are in a hurry to catch a plane and do not have the time to pursue any recourse; he was adament that we had to pay because we signed the agreement; I told him that the signature was obtained fraudently and this was a scam; he just smiled that smug smile and basically said it didn't matter what we "said" it was what we "signed"; I will pursue this till the bitter end; any help in what authorities to contact will be appreciated (this Dulles airport office is in Virginia)

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How did you get ahold of the Budget lawyer? I've had NO luck getting anyone at the company to help me, and I'm fed up.

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i get occasional emails and see this is still happening to people...just fyi, their SOP is to offer 1/2 a refund if you complain enough & most people settle for this...i didn't...in fact, i became email friendly with the Budget lawyer and i received a COMPLETE credit...of course, he acted like he'd never had such a complaint, but if you complain enough...you'll get a full refund...as a public service this was the lawyer for Avis-Budget that i communicated with (if he's no longer in that job, please forgive me)

Robert E. Muhs, V.P. Government Affairs & Counsel

avis budget group

6 Sylvan Way

Parsippany, N.J. 07054

Tel: 973-496-3532

Fax: 973-496-3444

e-mail: robert.muhs AT avisbudget.com