Adam Foley returned a rented Buick to Hertz, but two hours later received a message telling him to fork over $285, offering him a $65 discount if he paid immediately. Before handing over the keys, he had driven the SUV through a high-tech archway outfitted with cameras, LED lights and AI-powered sensors. Hertz says the scanners are meant to boost vehicle safety, but customers think it's another way to squeeze money out of them. Foley is not alone. Several drivers have now publicly accused Hertz of using its new scanner system to issue steep charges for what consumers say is normal wear and tear. Another customer received a $440 bill for a one-inch scratch on a wheel — the kind of blemish typically caused by bumping a curb. The company began deploying the scanners in April 2025 and says its damage policy hasn't changed with the use of the technology, stating that only dents larger than 1 inch — roughly the size of a golf ball — would trigger charges. Customers who have been victims of Hertz’s scanner charges have said they will just begin using other car rental agencies.
