Hertz Rent A Car allegedly fails to properly disclose to its car renters the true fees and costs associated with PlatePass, which is a transponder inside most Hertz rental cars that automatically collects tolls as the renter passes through certain types of toll booths.
Unauthorized Billing Of Credit/Debit Card Or Home Mortgage
Misrepresentation
Unfair and Deceptive Services
Excessive or Unauthorized Fees
Products or Services
Automobile Rental
E-toll Service
Injury Type
Monetary Loss
Investigation Details
This is an ongoing investigation and potential class action against Hertz Rent A Car System, Inc. and American Traffic Solutions, Inc.
Hertz Rent A Car is a large car rental company. American Traffic Solutions operates for Hertz the PlatePass system, which is an automatic system that charges a car renter each time that renter passes through certain tolls that are equipped with electronic toll payment systems.
Most, if not all, Hertz rental cars are equipped with electronic transponders under the PlatePass system that automatically pays a toll when the car drives through a toll booth equipped with an automated payment system.
In Texas, Hertz Rent A Car's PlatePass system operates with the EZ Tag, Toll Tag or Tx Tag automated toll collection systems. In Florida, Hertz Rent A Car's PlatePass system operates with the Sun-Pass and ePass express video lanes. In the NorthEast, Hertz Rent A Car's PlatePass system operates with the EZ Pass automated toll system. Hertz Rent A Car's Plate Pass sytem also operates with automated toll collection systems in Colorado and Puerto Rico.
Based upon consumer complaints, it appears that Hertz Rent A Car does not fairly disclose the cost and fees associated with its PlatePass toll paying system. A renter driving through a designated toll lane, does not have the option to deactivate the PlatePass transponder, thereby incurring the charge. Also Hertz Rent A Car charges $2.50 a day once the e-toll transponder is activated, for each day of the rental (up to $10 a month). So, apparently, a renter could rent a car from Hertz Rent A Car for a full work week (Monday through Friday) and only drive through a toll on the last day of the rental and then be charged $2.50 a day for each rental day.
Based upon consumer complaints, it also appears that Hertz Rent A Car does not properly allow consumers to opt-out of the service. It is automatically activated when the vehicle enters certain toll lanes and can not be turned off by the renter.
Defendant Details
Name (Stock Symbol)
Brief Description
Hertz Rent A Car (HTZ)
Hertz Rent A Car, a subsidiary of Hertz, is a vehicle rental company with locations through out the United States and abroad.
American Traffic Solutions, Inc.
American Traffic Solutions, Inc. provides technology and business solutions for electronic toll collection programs and operates the PlatePass Automated Toll Payment system for vehicle rental companies.