rental car "damage"

[drwriter]

What is the name of your state? Alaska.

I rented a car in Alaska and chose not to receive the rental car company's insurance. I returned the car and returned it to a young clerk. She examined the car and said she might have found a little damage but she didn't think it would be a problem. She did not show me the damage. She said if there was a problem the manager would notify me before any charges were made. She also said that if there indeed was damage (she couldn't tell) that it wouldn't exceed $60. A few weeks later I receive a $400 charge on my credit card from the rental company. I called them and they told me they found windshield damage on the car and were charging me for it. I was not aware of ANY windshield damage that took place while I had the car. However, I did decline their insurance. What is to keep them from just making the damage up and charging me? I have requesting pictures of the damage but have not yet received anything. What is my legal standing? Thanks!

 

[JETX]

"What is to keep them from just making the damage up and charging me?"
*** The little condition report that they gave you when you returned the car. You did get one, didn't you??? Or at least a release on the reciept??

"I have requesting pictures of the damage but have not yet received anything. What is my legal standing? "
*** Your legal 'standing' is that you can deny the claim by the agency. You can also dispute the charge on your credit card (as allowed by the FCBA - Fair Credit Billing Act). And if those don't work, you can file a claim against the rental car company in small claims court.


Thanks!"