Beware of Car Rental Scams in Istanbul!

Istanbul is a fascinating city that attracts millions of visitors every year. It is a city that bridges two continents, Europe and Asia, and offers a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is also a city that has a vibrant and modern lifestyle, with countless attractions, restaurants, shopping malls, and nightlife options.

However, Istanbul is also a city that has some challenges and risks for travelers. One of them is the car rental scam that has affected many tourists who have arrived at the Istanbul Airport. This scam involves some car rental companies that are related to Murat Özkaya, the owner of Metaloto and the president of Eyüpspor.

Who is Murat Özkaya?

Murat Özkaya is a businessman who owns Metaloto, a car rental company that operates in 25 cities in Turkey with a fleet of about 9,000 vehicles and 500 employees¹. He is also the president of Eyüpspor, a football club that plays in the Turkish second division². Moreover, he is the board chairman of Sixt Rent a Car, a German car rental company that is the shirt sponsor of Galatasaray, one of the biggest football clubs in Turkey².

What is the Car Rental Scam?

The car rental scam involves some car rental companies that are related to Murat Özkaya, such as Sixt and Greenmotion. These companies offer online booking services to customers who want to rent a car at the Istanbul Airport. However, when the customers arrive at the airport to pick up their car, they face some unpleasant surprises.

Some of the common problems that these customers encounter are:

• Extra Charges: These companies charge extra fees that are not disclosed in advance to the customers. These fees include one-way fees, full insurance fees, security deposits, fuel charges, etc². In some cases, these companies also charge the customers’ credit cards twice or ask them to pay in cash. These fees are much higher than the price shown on Pegasus’s website. When the customers refuse to pay these fees, they are threatened with losing their reservation or their car.
• Damage Claims: These companies give damaged or dirty cars to the customers without informing them. When the customers do not notice these damages or dirt when they receive the car, they are held responsible for them when they return the car. These companies demand high amounts of compensation from the customers for these damages or dirt. When the customers refuse to pay this compensation, their credit cards are automatically charged.
• Reservation Cancellation: These companies do not respect the customers’ right to cancel or change their reservation. When the customers want to cancel or change their reservation, they do not receive their money back or they face delays in their refund.

How to Avoid the Car Rental Scam?

The car rental scam has caused many complaints and negative reviews from the customers who have experienced it . These complaints and reviews can be found on various websites, forums, and social media platforms . Moreover, some media outlets and consumer rights organizations have also exposed this scam and warned the customers about it².

Therefore, it is advisable to avoid renting a car from these companies that are related to Murat Özkaya, such as Sixt and Greenmotion. These companies are dishonest and fraudulent and they can ruin your trip to Istanbul. Instead, you should choose reliable and reputable car rental companies that offer fair and transparent services.

Also, before renting a car in Istanbul, you should read and understand the terms and conditions, the fees and charges, and the cancellation policy of the car rental company. You should also check the condition of the car when you receive it and when you return it. You should keep your receipts and documents and contact Pegasus, Cartrawler, or the car rental company if you face any problem.

Conclusion

Istanbul is a wonderful city that deserves to be visited and enjoyed. However, you should also be careful and aware of some potential scams that can spoil your experience. One of them is the car rental scam that involves some companies that are related to Murat Özkaya. You should stay away from these companies and choose trustworthy ones instead. By doing so, you will have a safe and pleasant trip to Istanbul.