FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In recent weeks, SWFL rental car companies have filed reports with the Lee County Sheriff's Office over stolen cars. Authorities said the cars weren't stolen from the lots but rather never returned.
"On that agreement there's a place they initial saying they will bring the car back as agreed upon in the same shape that it went out in," said RentAWreck general manger Bill Cahn.
Cahn has owned a rental car company in SWFL for the past 5 years.
"I've had a lot of good cash customers but most of my problems were with cash customers," said Cahn.
Cahn said he switched to national standards like requiring a major credit card when paying. But even then there's no guarantee the renter will return.
"The guy didn't bring it back. Thusly I called the police, the police said I had to send out two certified pieces of mail to the individual demanding the car back," said Cahn.
In one instance he said he hired a repo guy who found the car and then got the police involved. "Really didn't do anything; they let the guy go, never pressed charges and I got stuck with the repo bill and no way to get my money back," said Cahn.
4 In Your Corner reached out to LCSO to find out more about this crime. A spokesperson said there's a gray area when it comes to charging someone but there are several different charges you could face if caught.
As for Cahn, he said he's now installed GPS tracking in his cars and isn't afraid to go after someone who is late to return.
"You know you can't let one bad apple spoil the whole bushel so i just try and be more diligent," said Cahn.
4 In Your Corner reached out to companies like Hertz and Enterprise to find out if this crime is affecting the price you pay when you rent a car. However, 4 In Your Corner is still waiting to hear back.
