Hertz Charging a Tesla Renter for Gas Was Not an Isolated Incident

Overbilling: Error, Fraud, or Theft?

• Many see gas fees on EVs and similar charges as straightforward theft or “fraudulent billing,” regardless of whether caused by incompetence.
• Others argue theft requires intent; if it’s a billing mistake corrected when caught, it’s not legally theft.
• Counterpoint: when “mistakes” are systematic, profitable, and persist until media attention, people suspect intentional overcharging hidden behind “incompetence.”

Hertz’s Broader Track Record

• Commenters reference prior scandals where Hertz’s systems led to customers being falsely reported for car theft, arrested, and jailed, sometimes even after cars were returned.
• Some argue these life‑ruining harms should trigger lifetime compensation or severe corporate penalties; others see abuse risk but agree liability is far too low.

Legal Recourse, Class Actions, and Arbitration

• Class actions are viewed as slow, with most money going to lawyers and small payouts to victims.
• Mandatory arbitration and class‑action waivers are seen as major barriers; some note courts have upheld these repeatedly.
• Suggestions include: stronger AG/consumer protection enforcement, banning forced arbitration, “corporate death penalties,” or criminal liability up the management chain.

Software, “Incompetence,” and Incentives

• Many think poorly designed automated systems and offshored support drive these errors.
• Others stress “big company incompetence” is itself profit‑seeking: underfund compliance, let systems overbill, and fix only squeaky wheels.
• Hanlon’s Razor is criticized because feigned incompetence can mask deliberate policy.

Credit Cards, Chargebacks, and Power Imbalance

• Some report easy reversals via chargebacks; others describe issuers siding with merchants and failed disputes.
• Even successful chargebacks can lead to collections threats or account bans.
• There’s frustration that companies can damage credit or demand payment with little proof, while consumers face high time costs and uncertain outcomes.

Rental Car Industry Patterns and “Gotchas”

• Numerous anecdotes across brands: bogus fuel charges, toll “convenience” fees, cleaning/smoking fees, damage claims, minimum/maximum mileage fees, and opaque invoices.
• Several note all “errors” seem to favor the company, echoing similar patterns in supermarkets and subscription services.

Consumer Coping Tactics

• Common advice: take photos/video at pickup and drop‑off, keep fuel receipts, get a printed check‑in/receipt, and avoid upsells (fuel plans, insurance, toll packages).
• Some advocate small‑claims filings or coordinated waves of claims to make overbilling unprofitable, though arbitration clauses may limit this.

Systemic Proposals and Critiques

• Ideas floated: caps on corporate size, stronger enforcement of consumer laws, per‑incident fines plus compensation for customer time, and better public legal support.
• Thread reflects broad pessimism about a “corporatocracy” where large firms face far less accountability than individuals.