Europecar faces action

CAR rental company Europcar has been accused of ripping off tens of thousands of customers with excessive card payment surcharges.

The nation’s consumer watchdog has launched legal action against the hirer’s Australian arm in the first case of its type. Customers using Visa or MasterCard debit cards last year from July 19 to November 5, and credit cards during July and August, were charged above Europcar’s cost to accept those payments, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says.

It is alleged Europecar was aware of the over-charging.