Morocco Car Rental Scams: Protect Your Summer Vacation

The quest for the lowest price transforms many travelers into vulnerable targets. On Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, fake agencies broadcast extremely attractive sponsored posts. These scammers, who often possess neither a business registration nor a vehicle fleet, demand an immediate deposit to secure an alleged reservation. Funds are then requested to personal accounts or via express transfer agencies. The president of the National Union of car rental agency owners denounces the actions of individuals who create deceptive pages to manipulate vacationers: "The worst situation is when customers realize they have been victims of a scam after paying a deposit".

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This phenomenon is worsening drastically with the arrival of summer holidays. The president of the Moroccan Federation of rental associations explains that "customers’ willingness to book in advance and seek low prices makes them easy prey". Once on site and the scam discovered, the majority of victims give up filing a complaint. The short duration of their stay and reluctance to engage in lengthy legal proceedings guarantee the impunity of these fraudsters, encouraging them to reoffend each year with new targets.

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To thwart these frauds, professionals remind that abnormally low prices systematically hide the risk of ending up with a dilapidated vehicle or falling into a trap. It is essential to be wary of dubious digital advertisements. Any payment must be made to an official commercial bank account in the name of a company. Union bodies recommend demanding a proper contract and ensuring the existence of a physical location, legal license, civil liability and the Common Business Identifier (ICE) number of the agency.