Europcar/Barclaycard rip-off

MrGus

I rented a vehicle from Europcar through Auto Europe. I paid Auto Europe directly by credit card. When I collected the vehicle I was asked to authorise a reserve on my credit card, which I did by entering my PIN. When I returned the vehicle, with no damage, full tank, on time etc, the account was closed and I went on my way. Later, I found my barclaycard account had actually been debited for the EUR400 reserve amount, which occurred on the day of collection (ie its not as if they charged me after I returned the vehicle for some other reason). I raised a transaction query with Barclaycard, which sent me forms to fill in and asked for documentary evidence. Europcar customer services, when looking at my closed account, confirmed there was a zero balance - I have a copy of the account, but also said the EUR400 was a reserve, not a charge, therefore it does not show up on the invoice. Barclaycard says this is not enough evidence and therefore they are sorry but will maintain the charge on my account.
So I feel I am a victim of credit card fraud by the credit card company itself.

Alan_Bowen

I rent from Europcar in the UK every few weeks, here the charge is £250 rather than 400 E but I have never seen the charge appear on my CC statement. I have to say that in this case I fear it is Europcar's fault, they have debited rather than 'held' the deposit, an error by the clerk at the time of picking up the car. Contact Europcar's HQ in the UK, in Leicester I think, and I am sure the team will put it right for you

MrGus

I tried the UK customer services already, and they passed me on to France customer services, who say they didn't charge me, and sent me a copy of the zero balance invoice, which barclaycard said is no good.

opinions4u

Ask Barclaycard for a chargeback.

jpsartre

opinions4u wrote: »

Ask Barclaycard for a chargeback.

I thought that's what the OP did and it was declined (?).

Moto2

If Europcar have confirmed there was no charge and Barclaycard won't accept that as proof you didn't authorise them to take payment.

I think I'd claim that a fraud has taken place
see if that moves either party into being a bit more helpful

Alan_Bowen

A zero balance invoice probably means they don't think you owe them anything, which you clearly don't but if your statement shows a debit of 400E, then Europcar clearly have your money

marsman802

I'm sure this isn't going to be difficult.

You have a charge from Auto Europe for the car hire and another 400E charge from Europcar.

You can easily prove you have bit hit with another charge and you should have an invoice from Europcar to the tune of the value you paid Auto Europe, I would imagine.

The entire debit will not match the invoice you have and the discrepancy will be clear to Europcar, no?

opinions4u

jpsartre wrote: »

I thought that's what the OP did and it was declined (?).

It doesn't actually say that specific request was made.

YorkshireBoy

MrGus wrote: »

Barclaycard says this is not enough evidence and therefore they are sorry but will maintain the charge on my account.

That sounds like a final response to me (assuming you initially made a formal complaint?).

So, it's FOS time...and the good news is they come down hard on banks who give their customers the runaround.

I suspect, once the FOS are involved, you'll actually make a profit on this one!

MrGus

I did originally request a chargeback. And I provided them with both Auto Europe and Europcar invoices. Today was the 'final' response until I threatened them with FOS and they said they would reconsider the refund within 48hrs - will let you know the final-final response when it comes but may report to the ombudsman anyway