Consumer complaint received 2016-03-09
Company: Viking Client Services
State: IL
Product: Consumer Loan
Sub-product: Vehicle loan
Issue: Managing the loan or lease

Complaint:
Rental Car Company : XXXX Rental Agreement : XXXX Viking Claim Number : XXXX I received a claim from Viking for {$920.00} on behalf of XXXX for vehicle damage on a car I rented from the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX location from XXXX/XXXX/2015 - XXXX/XXXX/2015 and returned to an attendant without incident. At the time of renting the car I questioned damage to the driver 's side door and was told that it would not be a problem if I returned the car to the same location. Because of this, I made sure to check there was no problems and I got the all clear to go when I returned the car on Monday morning around XXXX on XXXX/XXXX/15. The attendant met me in the driveway and actually drove the car into the parking lot before my husband and I left. 

I first learned of the alleged " accident '' 6 weeks after renting the car - with a notice of collection from XXXX ( an out of state collection agency ). By this time I had already thrown out my car rental paperwork. The notice claimed the vehicle had been involved in a major accident, with damage including the roof and hood of the car. However, there was no accident report or evidence of the damage provided. I was newly pregnant at the time - had I been in a car accident as serious as they claimed I would have needed to go to the hospital. I also have witness who can verify the condition of the car. As further evidence of my lack of knowledge of the incident, I had already rented from XXXX another time. 

When I received the bill for the damages, I took the notice into the Budget location at XXXX XXXX where I rented the car and questioned them about it. The attendant claimed he had no knowledge of the damage or the company - XXXX - and refused to give me his name, claiming he was only a " lowly worker. '' I told him I would not leave without some resolve so he took a copy of the paperwork and told me he would have the manager, XXXX, call me. He refused me to give me XXXX 's last name. And of course, XXXX never called. I also left a message with XXXX and never received a response. I eventually tracked down XXXX after calling XXXX at XXXX XXXX until he picked up the phone XXXX day a couple weeks later. XXXX told me he had no knowledge of the accident and could provide no details of the rental paperwork or condition of the car when it was returned. 

After that, I contacted XXXX Customer Service and received this message : Please note, according to our records, this vehicle was damaged during the rental. I apologize for any possible inconvenience, however this department does not have access to information relating to the incident in question. Please contact our XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX. 

Now I am being contacted by Viking Collection in an attempt to claim the {$920.00}. I explained over the phone that I would not simply hand over money for an incident I am not responsible for and damages I have received no evidence of. I am very worried that this has already negatively impacted my credit rating. I believe this is an intentional scam to get money from XXXX and the collection agencies they are working with. This is fraudulent and criminal. I really need some help.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation