Hertz wrongly charges 230 people with car theft
Hertz faces 230 claims in bankruptcy court from people who allege they were falsely arrested for stealing cars.
Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images
A A Delaware judge ruled that Hertz car rental company must make public the number of renters it accuses of stealing its cars.
The fault occurs as a result of a CBS News investigation into claims from customers who say they were falsely arrested.
As CBS News reported Wednesday, a Colorado man alleges he was arrested after Hertz wrongly reported to police that he failed to return a car in Georgia, a state he says he has never visited.
Hertz, which filed for bankruptcy in 2020, had filed the data from the theft reports under seal.
CBS News' legal team filed a formal objection to the attempt to keep that and other statistics secret, leading to the court's decision on Wednesday.
Although all the data have not yet been published, the company already faces 230 claims in bankruptcy court from people who allege they were falsely arrested for stealing rental cars based on erroneous reports from Hertz.
“Of the more than 25 million Hertz rental transactions in the United States per year, 0.014% fall into the rare situation where vehicles are reported stolen to authorities after exhaustive attempts to locate the customer,” Hertz said in a statement to CBS News.
That would mean the company was reporting an average of 3,500 customers for car thefts each year on average.
The number of those reports that Hertz admits are erroneous has not yet been revealed, but is included in the judge's order.
Colorado real estate appraiser Drew Seaser is one of the plaintiffs who shared his experience with Werner.
He said customs agents stopped him at the airport on his way to Mexico with his family.
“When they checked my passport, they said, Mr. Seaser, do you know you have a warrant out for your arrest out of Georgia? At first, I thought they were joking,” he said.
Hertz wanted him arrested for stealing a rental car in Georgia the previous November, but Seaser said he had never been to Georgia and never rented a car from Hertz.
“I was terrified. You know, I've never been arrested before and I've never been in any kind of trouble. I own my own business,” he told CBS News.
He spent more than 24 hours in jail before his attorney could prove he was in Colorado the day Hertz said the car was stolen and prosecutors dropped the charges.
“The vast majority of these cases involve renters who were many weeks or even months behind in returning their vehicles and stopped contacting us beyond the scheduled delivery date. Situations where vehicles are reported to authorities are very rare and occur only after exhaustive attempts to reach the customer," the company said in a statement. Those figures, including the number of lawsuits filed, are expected to be released soon.
Author Profile
- Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nathan Rivera, a dedicated journalist who has had the privilege of writing for the online newspaper Today90. My journey in the world of journalism has been a testament to the power of dedication, integrity, and passion.
My story began with a relentless thirst for knowledge and an innate curiosity about the events shaping our world. I graduated with honors in Investigative Journalism from a renowned university, laying the foundation for what would become a fulfilling career in the field.
What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. I refuse to settle for superficial answers or preconceived narratives. Instead, I constantly challenge the status quo, delving deep into complex issues to reveal the reality beneath the surface. My dedication to investigative journalism has uncovered numerous scandals and shed light on issues others might prefer to ignore.
I am also a staunch advocate for press freedom. I have tirelessly fought to protect the rights of journalists and have faced significant challenges in my quest to inform the public truthfully and without constraints. My courage in defending these principles serves as an example to all who believe in the power of journalism to change the world.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for my outstanding work in journalism. My investigations have changed policies, exposed corruption, and given a voice to those who had none. My commitment to truth and justice makes me a beacon of hope in a world where misinformation often prevails.
At Today90, I continue to be a driving force behind journalistic excellence. My tireless dedication to fair and accurate reporting is an invaluable asset to the editorial team. My biography is a living testament to the importance of journalism in our society and a reminder that a dedicated journalist can make a difference in the world.
Latest entries
Celebrities23/09/2023Why Lindsie Chrisley Blocked Savannah & Siblings Over "Bulls--t" Drama
Celebrities23/09/2023First contributions from El Cuchillo II arrive in Nuevo León
Celebrities23/09/2023So far this year, Comar has received 99,881 requests for refuge in Mexico
North America23/09/2023The play Ink triumphs at the Round House Theater