Sixt car hire charging for damages I didn’t incur

Pops27

Hello all. Thank you in advance. 

My partner and I visited our daughter in Amsterdam during October 2021. I had been recovering from breast cancer and it was a much needed break. 

We hired a car from Sixt at the airport. This is the first time we have hired a car. We drove to where our daughter was staying and then drove back to the airport a few days later to drop the car off. 

The employee at Sixt checked the car over and said there was no damage and we were free to go. 

Being novices, we now realise we should have received a written hand over agreement. We should have taken photos when we picked it up. 

I received an email from them 2 weeks later claiming damages of 900 euros. 

I asked for photos of the number plate on the car showing damage, a copy of the mileage on return and any documentation. They have sent photos, but it could be any car, with damage caused after we hired it. 

Any ideas on what to do? I have responded to their subsequent email and received another today. 

Many thanks

NSG666

Are you sure it's not a scam? Have you used your own means of contacting them rather than replying to or clicking links in their email?

Who did you book the hire car through and what insurance did you take out at the time? Usually basic insurance is included but there is an excess of c.€1200.
When you pick up the car they either sell you additional insurance to cover the excess or block this amount on your credit card - did either of these happen?
If you took their insurance I don't know why they would be claiming anything from you. If you didn't take their insurance then releasing the blocked credit card funds sort of proves they accepted the vehicle was returned in an acceptable condition.

Pops27

Hello and thank you for your response. Much appreciated. Never thought about it being a scam. They did have my address and phone number. So not sure. 

I booked the hire car through Easy Jet, whom we had booked our flights with. I took out additional insurance with them to cover the period of hire. I paid it at the time of booking. 

When we picked up the car, Sixt took a payment of 300 euros which was refundable on return of the car if no damage. On return of the car, they refunded it. 

Two weeks later I got an email telling me about damage which we did not incur. 

I emailed back asking for proof. The photos they sent could have been of another similar car. There was no date stamp on photos. 

They don’t seem to be taking on board what I have said in my reply, when I ask for proof such as time stamped photos showing damage and number plate, a signed copy of a return document on the day we returned the car, saying damage, evidence of mileage when car was returned. 

If damage was incurred it could have been done by the next person who hired the car. 

I just want them to stop contacting me. 

Thanks for listening. 

NSG666

Something doesn't sound right here.
You took out additional insurance with AXA via Easyjet so worse case scenario they pick up the bill.
Sixt took a deposit of 300 euros - I'd have expected them to take a deposit of 900 euros to cover the damage excess and another deposit 150euros (but could be 300) to cover fuel if not returned full.

On returning the car it was inspected in front of you and confirmed ok but you were not given a return condition report either paper or electronically. Any / all deposits were returned.
You've received an invoice for damage but have still not had a return condition report? If there had been damage I'd have expected them to make you sign for it.
If you have signed a document that details damage then contact AXA to ask what they need to pay out under their policy then make sure that's what you get from Sixt. Pay Sixt and claim from AXA

If you do not have a copy of the return condition report then ask for it. Forget about photos but focus on the fact that all deposits were returned to you implying that all was fine with the car and see how they explain that.

StuieUK34

any updates ?  nearly run out of popcorn here!