Venerus v Avis - Is This a Scam?

odieuk

I received my letter this morning. I have not checked my claim, but did a Google search and found this.
Try…caselaw.Findlaw.com
The full link is on Google but mse won’t let me give the link here 

I note one of the payment options is a prepaid Mastercard. Surely that would be the safest payment option? Tho I know some places in the US..esp gas stations..do not accept these.

GP24

OK so yep I got the  same letter, so jumped on Google and found this thread, is it a scam ? well my view is yes it is, the letter is un-headed, there is no department signature, the letter was sent within the UK, ( well mine was ), so for me it is another Nigerian lottery win. I could be wrong but as I didn't pay with a prepaid voucher but my credit card like most I am not sure who they are trying to hook. I have rented cars when in USA, Florida in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 but then again send enough letters out and someone will have been to Florida and rented a car, its a given. I have however no records of trip or rental agreements, booking refs. they are all in the bin which is where this letter is going. I rented a car had my holiday so for me I am not out of pocket and not a compensation grabber.

MrX

It is genuine.  You can read more about it here https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4609061/513/venerus-v-avis-budget-car-rental-llc/

If you are worried about giving over your personal details then don't be. 1. They already have your details which is why you got the letter!  2. For us in the UK the simplest/safest method of payment will be electronic which they can do via paypal or BACS. So by given them those details (an email address) you're not providing anything that you dont't share with loads of people anyway.

For people worried about Nigerian scams etc then dont be. They won't ask for your pin code, mothers maiden name etc.

Whether you can bothered or not is a different question, but in answer to the first post. No, it is not a scam.

Also, people saying that they paid with a credit card not a voucher... Like me, you must have hired the car via a rental agent, not direct with Avis Budget, which is why they class that as a 'voucher'.

Jeanmd128

Also got a letter yesterday - sent to our old address - we did rent between those dates as we owned a villa in Florida, so went at least once a year sometimes twice so could add up. Only got the date 2009 and the chance to add others when I looked at the form. Whilst I have vouchers for after the last date, I no longer have the other ones so have tried to contact BA who issued the vouchers for past flight details. Calling customer services gave me lots of options and then told me they couldn’t deal with me and cut me off. So have tried Twitter! I will be watching this space and see what BA comes up with before deciding what to do. 

barriedavis

MrX said:

They already have your details 

Except that the address to which they sent the letter regarding my 2011 rental is the one I moved to in 2020.  Where did they get tme new address from?

castlegarden

Like Jeanmd128 and Mr X  I did use a voucher in 2009. I flew out to Florida at least once a year for 11 years at the invitation of a client who paid for flights and car hire. In 2009 I was accompanied by my wife and hired a second car via either Virgin or BA (I used both airlines at the time)  I think it was a Fly Drive as this was the cheapest option. Hence the voucher.  If I used more I have no idea. As my business was closed on retirement 8 years ago all account details have been purged under the 6 year limit rule. 
(I am not fussed about the money - just intrigued - hence I filled in the application, with the limited details; as above)

As I read it there will be no further court action on the claim until November - hence the time limit for claiming is January 2023 and I assume any payment  will be well after that date.

The low level of payment is no doubt due to the fact that USA attorneys' in class actions usually take about 60% of any successful claim as a fee. 

55carolann

So taking into account the previous post by castlegarden.  It’s the US attorney’s who are keen for us to make these claims as their payout will be more than ours.  I guess that makes sense and good reason for them to contact as many claimants as possible.

ChrisM14

Well I also got a letter and did rent a number of times in Florida during those dates.  I'm don't believe that I have seen any comments that have said that they didn't hire a car in Florida during those dates and every thing seemed to check out.  I filled out the form (carefully) and it comes back with my details are not correct - so I emailed the company to ask further advice.  It'll be interesting to see what they say IF they come back to me.

logicman2022

(Removed by Forum Team)

There is a genuine case that matches these details, search judge Baker in the orlando middle district court, t upheld the class case request.June 2022 

Pembroke

Just a small point OP, you've gone to great lengths in the original post to blank out the claimant ID and the Confirmation code at the start of the letter, but then left it open for all to see in the small print section headed "How do I receive Payment"