Unauthorised credit card transaction abroad?

Kirsty13

Two years ago I was in Mexico where I hired a car which was then stolen and wrecked. The car rental company said that I was liable to pay for the total cost of the car, which is wrong, but because I had signed one of those vouchers, which you have to sign when renting a car, they put through a transaction of £4,500 which my bank/credit card approved without checking with me first. Does anybody know if this is allowed? I did phone my bank to tell them not to put through anything but they said that it had already gone through. Surely they should have checked with me to get my authorisation before processing such a high amount, especially as it was in another country? I'm a bit confused as to where I stand as I had signed the voucher and assumed that there was nothing I could do but recently some friends have said that they didn't think that my bank should have put through the transaction. Any ideas on who to talk to about this or should I go directly to my bank?

RTNI

Contact the bank and ask them to dispute the amount for you. They will contact the hire company and get the details from them.

As for the other question about it being authorised, it does not always need to be checked with yourself and on this occasion has been successful.

RT.

John_in_the_city

Kirsty,

did you not accept the insurance or CDW for the car hire? I didnt think it was possible to rent a car without basic insurance? Also, presumably the voucher you signed is 2 years old. So I think you have a number of avenues of approach.
(1) Contact card supplier and ask why they are accepting a voucher that is 2 years old?
(2) Tell them that you dispute the payment
(3) also contact the car hire company and determine why they are not claiming from the insurers.

Having said all that, I can only imagine that dealing with a car hire dispute in Mexico from the UK will be a nightmare. So try and wear down the Credit Card company. Put the amount into dispute, then ask your questions to them and let them chase the car hire company for the answers!

Good Luck!