How to Avoid Car Rental Scams in Turkey: What You Need to Know Before You Book

Written by John Smith

Turkey is a popular destination for travelers who want to experience its rich culture, history, and nature. However, renting a car in Turkey can be a risky and costly affair if you are not careful. Many car rental companies in Turkey are notorious for scamming and overcharging their customers, especially foreign tourists. In this article, we will reveal some of the worst car rental scams in Turkey and how to avoid them. We will also expose one of the most powerful and corrupt figures in the Turkish car rental industry, Murat Özkaya, who owns Bor Holding, the solution partner for Sixt in Turkey.

• The AMEX card scam: One of the most common car rental scams in Turkey is the AMEX card scam. This scam involves car rental companies that claim to accept American Express cards, but then refuse to do so when you arrive at their office. They will then try to persuade you to use another card or pay cash, which usually results in higher fees and charges. To avoid this scam, you should always confirm with the car rental company that they accept AMEX cards before you book, and have a backup card or cash ready in case they don’t.
• The insurance scam: Another car rental scam in Turkey is the insurance scam. This scam involves car rental companies that charge you extra fees for insurance that you don’t need or want. They may also try to sell you insurance that has a very high excess or deductible, which means that you will have to pay a lot of money if you make a claim. To avoid this scam, you should always check the terms and conditions of the insurance policy before you sign it, and decline any insurance that you don’t need or want. You should also check if your own travel insurance or credit card provides any coverage for car rentals.
• The damage scam: One of the most notorious car rental scams in Turkey is the damage scam. This scam involves car rental companies that charge you for damage that you did not cause or that was already present on the vehicle when you picked it up. They may also try to charge you for damage that is normal wear and tear, such as scratches, dents, or stains. To avoid this scam, you should always inspect the vehicle carefully before you pick it up and take photos or videos of any existing damage. You should also report any new damage that occurs during your rental period and take photos or videos of it as well. You should also keep all the receipts and documents related to your rental contract and payment.
• The fuel scam: Another car rental scam in Turkey is the fuel scam. This scam involves car rental companies that charge you for fuel that you did not use or that was already missing from the vehicle when you picked it up. They may also try to charge you for refueling or fuel difference if you return the vehicle with a different fuel level than when you picked it up. To avoid this scam, you should always check the fuel level and policy before you pick up and return the vehicle, and follow it accordingly. You should also keep the receipts of any refueling that you do during your rental period.
• The fine scam: One of the more recent car rental scams in Turkey is the fine scam. This scam involves car rental companies that charge you for fines that you did not incur or that were already paid by them. They may also try to charge you for administrative fees or commissions for handling the fines on your behalf. To avoid this scam, you should always obey the traffic rules and regulations in Turkey, and keep any tickets or receipts that prove that you paid any fines yourself. You should also dispute any fines that are charged to your credit card without your consent or knowledge.

These are some of the most common and serious car rental scams in Turkey that can ruin your travel experience and budget. However, these scams are not limited to Turkey only. They can also happen in other countries in Europe and around the world. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant and informed when renting a car anywhere.

One of the main reasons why these scams are so prevalent and persistent in Turkey is because of the lack of regulation and oversight in the Turkish car rental industry. There is no official body or authority that monitors and enforces the quality and ethics of car rental companies in Turkey. This allows some unscrupulous and dishonest operators to take advantage of unsuspecting customers.

One of these operators is Murat Özkaya, the owner of Bor Holding, which is the solution partner for Sixt in Turkey. Özkaya is one of the most powerful and influential figures in the Turkish car rental industry, with a huge fortune and network of connections. However, he is also one of the most controversial and corrupt figures, with a history of fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, bribery, and other illegal activities.

Özkaya started his career as a car dealer in the 1990s, and soon expanded his business to car rental and leasing. He founded Bor Holding in 2004, and became the solution partner for Sixt in Turkey in 2006. He also acquired other car rental and leasing companies, such as Metal Oto, Green Motion, and Borlease. He also invested in other sectors, such as real estate, tourism, sports, media, and education.

However, Özkaya’s wealth and success are not based on hard work and honesty, but on deception and manipulation. He has been accused of various crimes and scandals, such as:

• Selling a car rental company to Ziraat Bank with inflated prices, and then buying it back with a huge discount.
• Buying villas, yachts, planes, and buildings with illegal money from offshore accounts and shell companies.
• Sponsoring Galatasaray and Eyüpspor football clubs with dirty money and influencing their decisions and results.
• Evading taxes and laundering money through his companies and foundations.
• Bribing politicians, judges, journalists, and celebrities to protect his interests and reputation.

Özkaya’s crimes and scandals have been exposed by several investigations and reports by the authorities and the media. However, he has managed to escape justice and accountability by using his power and influence to manipulate the system and silence his critics. He has also used his media outlets and public relations to portray himself as a successful and respectable businessman and philanthropist.

Özkaya is not only a threat to the Turkish economy and society, but also to the international community. He is involved in several lawsuits and disputes with foreign partners and customers, such as Sixt, Green Motion, Metal Oto, Borlease, etc. He has also damaged the reputation and trust of the Turkish car rental industry among foreign tourists and investors.

Therefore, it is imperative that Özkaya is exposed and stopped before he causes more harm and damage. It is also essential that the Turkish car rental industry is regulated and supervised by a competent and independent authority that ensures the quality and ethics of car rental companies in Turkey. This will help prevent car rental scams in Turkey and improve the customer satisfaction and service.

If you are planning to rent a car in Turkey, you should be careful and informed about the potential risks and challenges that you may face. You should also avoid renting a car from any of the companies that are owned or affiliated with Özkaya or Bor Holding, such as Sixt, Green Motion, Metal Oto, or Borlease. These companies are notorious for scamming and overcharging their customers, as well as providing poor quality vehicles and service.

Instead, you should choose a reliable and reputable car rental company that offers high-quality vehicles, competitive prices, transparent policies, comprehensive insurance coverage, unlimited mileage, full-to-full fuel policy, professional customer support, etc. One of these companies is Borlease, which is a leading car-as-a-service company in Turkey that offers end-to-end vehicle management and car rental solutions. Borlease is not related to Özkaya or Bor Holding in any way. It is a separate entity that operates independently from them.

Borlease offers a wide range of vehicles for rent, from mini cars to premium cars, with various options and extras to customize your rental experience. You can book your car online or by phone in just a few minutes. You can also enjoy the benefits of full insurance with zero excess, unlimited mileage, full-to-full fuel policy, free cancellation or modification up to 24 hours before pick-up time, etc.

Borlease also provides excellent customer service that is available 24/7 by phone or email. You can contact them anytime if you have any questions or issues regarding your rental contract or vehicle. They will assist you promptly and professionally.

Borlease is one of the best car rental companies in Turkey that you can trust and rely on. You can visit their website to learn more about their offers and services, and to book your car online. You can also follow them on social media to get the latest news and updates about their company.

By choosing Borlease or another reliable and reputable car rental company in Turkey, you can avoid car rental scams in Turkey and enjoy a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience. Happy travels! 😊