(a) Damage Claims After Return (b) Bait-and-Switch Pricing (c) Damage Charges Without Proper Documentation Avoid Car Rental Scams In Hersonissos Three documented Hersonissos agency scams, the deposit-capture mechanic, and the five-minute inspection that defeats most of them. Primary-source research on travel forums points to recurring complaints from a minority of local agencies. These are not proof of wrongdoing in every case, but they do show patterns worth watching for. (a) Damage Claims After Return A 2024 Reddit report on r/GreeceTravel described an agency allegedly trying to charge €250 for a small scratch that the renter said was not documented at pickup. The user described the experience as stressful and wrote that the agency claimed the car had been returned with a scratch. This is a classic example of a post-rental damage dispute. (b) Bait-and-Switch Pricing Another 2024 report on r/GreeceTravel described a booking that started at €22 online but rose to €38 at the desk due to mandatory insurance, then to €70 at pickup. The renter reported feeling pressured and threatened when questioning the price change. This kind of tactic can catch travelers off guard if the final terms were not confirmed in writing before arrival. (c) Damage Charges Without Proper Documentation A thread on Reddit’s r/LegalAdviceEurope highlighted a case in which an agency charged a renter for alleged damage but refused to provide a formal repair invoice. Without that invoice, the renter said a third-party insurance claim could not proceed. If true, this creates a serious problem because many insurers require clear documentation before reimbursing any loss. A common source of dispute is the pre-authorization hold. Some agencies place a hold of €500–€1,500 on a debit or credit card. If a dispute arises, the hold may later be converted into a charge. The problem becomes worse when the company does not provide an itemized repair invoice, because third-party insurers such as RentalCover or Allianz Rental Cover Pro may require it before accepting a claim. ⚠️ Debit vs. Credit Card Warning: A hold on a credit card is usually only a temporary reduction in available credit. A hold on a debit card can freeze real cash in your bank account. Disputing a fraudulent charge is often harder and slower with debit cards, so credit cards are generally safer for rental deposits. Doing your checks before booking is one of the best ways to avoid problems. A legitimate rental company should be transparent and easy to verify. Verify the license number. In Greece, legitimate tourism businesses should have the appropriate Hellenic Tourism Organization registration details. This should be visible on the company website or booking documents. If you cannot verify the company’s legal registration, treat that as a red flag. Confirm a physical address in Hersonissos. Look for a real office location on a known street rather than a vague off-site shuttle point. Unclear pickup details can sometimes lead to surprises at arrival. Get everything in writing. Before paying, ask for written confirmation of the pickup location, security deposit amount, fuel policy, insurance excess, and whether the car is collected in-terminal or by shuttle. Keep this email for your records. Check independent reviews. Look beyond the company’s own website. Review recent feedback on Google Maps, Trustpilot, and other independent platforms for patterns involving hidden fees, deposit disputes, or condition-report complaints. Ask about the deposit hold in advance. Confirm the exact amount that will be pre-authorized on your card before you arrive at the desk. Do not assume it will match the online quote. Compare Car Rental Deals What you do at the rental desk can make a major difference if there is a later dispute. Before getting in the car, walk around it slowly and video-record the full exterior. Take close-up photos of every panel: doors, bumpers, hood, roof, and the area under the front and rear bumpers. Photograph the windshield, all glass, and all four tires, with special attention to the rims. Open the door and take a clear photo of the dashboard showing the fuel level and mileage. Ask for a vehicle condition report or damage sheet, and make sure all existing marks, scratches, dents, and scuffs are listed. Do not leave until the agent has signed your copy of the completed report. 💡 Cloud Backup Rule: Email your photos and video to yourself or upload them to cloud storage such as Google Drive or iCloud before you drive away. That gives you a time-stamped backup in case the original files are lost. If an agency attempts to charge you unfairly, stay calm and collect evidence. Follow this escalation path: Request an itemized invoice. Ask in writing for a detailed repair or damage invoice, and note that you need it for your insurance claim. Contact your card provider. If the charge was made to your credit card, ask about a chargeback or dispute immediately. Share your booking emails, photos from pickup, and your written invoice request. Contact EKPIZO. The Greek consumer protection organization can provide guidance on consumer disputes. Use its official contact details from its website. Lodge a complaint with the Greek Consumer Ombudsman. Submit a formal complaint through the official consumer dispute process. Call the consumer hotline. In Greece, 1520 is widely used for consumer advice from a local line. Contact the Tourist Police if you feel unsafe. If there are threats, intimidation, or any physical safety concern, contact the Hellenic Police. They can help with safety issues, though they do not handle ordinary civil contract disputes. If you have a documented case you believe should be included here, please contact our editorial team with your case for an inclusion review. This guide is updated regularly by cross-referencing reports from Greek consumer protection sources and EU-wide consumer data. We aim to present practical, balanced advice for travelers renting a car in Hersonissos. Affiliate Disclosure: We recommend vetted services such as Localrent and DiscoverCars through affiliate links. However, we do not receive any consideration, payment, or incentive to omit or alter negative reports about any specific rental agency. Our commitment is to consumer protection. For more, read our full editorial methodology and sourcing. Compare Car Rental Deals