Consumer Rescue - Your Fiasco Fixer

Hertz says the customer destroyed his rental car by pumping it with the wrong gas in Portugal.

Wrong gas, wrong guy: Why is Hertz demanding $9,000 for rental car repairs?

Michelle Couch-Friedman

Chief Fiasco Fixer / Consumer reporter

May 31, 2026

If you accidentally put the wrong gas in a rental car, you’re most certainly headed for a giant repair bill. Mohit Govani recently discovered just how giant after Hertz accused him of destroying the engine of a Subaru Outback. The Vehicle Incident Report (VIR) says incorrect fuel caused an astounding $9,000 in damage to the rental car.

Latest

A family says extenuating circumstances forced them to cancel their $3,800 Vrbo in Maui. This investigation by Consumer Rescue involves a hunt for their refund.

Extenuating circumstances forced my family to cancel our Vrbo. So where’s our $3,497 refund?

May 17, 2026

Norwegian Breakaway took these passengers to Puerto Plata where the mom unexpectedly purchased a $3,100 facial wand and ruined the rest of the cruise.

Instant regret: Cruise passenger buys $3,100 “magic device” during a port stop

May 3, 2026

Visa rules are causing travelers to be denied boarding cruises that stop in Brazil.

Shock at the dock: Brazil visa rule leaves nearly 100 cruise passengers denied boarding

April 26, 2026

Facebook ad scams are a problem. Here's how consumers can spot and avoid these predators.

I fell for a Facebook ad scam. How do I get my money back?

April 17, 2026

Here are some of the newest and most expensive mistakes travelers are making in 2026.

4 easily avoidable travel mistakes that ruin trips and cost thousands

April 5, 2026

Norse Atlantic Airways Facebook groups hosted by scammers are stealing from members.

She went to Facebook for a Norse Atlantic refund. Instead, scammers stole $5,100 from her

March 22, 2026

Why did these Celebrity Cruises passengers believe they could stay on board the ship in Brazil and skip the visa requirements?

Help! Celebrity Cruises denied boarding to us. Whose mistake was this?

March 12, 2026

A United Airlines passenger arrived in Mexico as a no-show after a gate agent failed to scan his passport.

United Airlines didn’t scan his boarding pass. Will it cost him $2,743?

March 1, 2026

A rental car crash in California, even with LDW, causes big problems for a Hertz customer.

Help! After my rental car crash, Hertz charged me a $1,900 impound fee

February 17, 2026

Scam call center pretending to be Costco Travel ticks cruise ship passengers

Cruise ship passengers tricked out of $6,000 by fake Costco Travel

February 6, 2026

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Banned from cruising, Cruise line will ban passengers, Cruise ship passengers getting banned.

These cruise ship passengers got banned forever. Could it happen to you?

Fake Verizon customer service calls, phone scammers pretending to be Verizon customer service, protect yourself and know the signs of a scammer

Verizon customers beware of phone scammers pretending to be helpful agents

Reaching scam call center easier than ever, scam call centers rising

Scam call centers are rising on the Internet. Here’s how to avoid them

Fake rental car damage charges are increasing, Investigating damage charges on a rental vehicle.

Hit with fake rental car damage charges? Here’s how to make them go away

Zelle scams often start with a phone call, This is an iphone on a tablet.

Zelle scams are on the rise. Could you fall for this one?

Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship: Prima, a cruise ship on the ocean, Prima, NCL, cruising, sailing.

Did Norwegian Cruise Line really cancel this family’s cruise over a $112 transfer?

If American Airlines changes your flight schedule, here's how to get a refund. This article explains the flight schedule change policy of American Airlines.

If American Airlines changes your schedule, here’s how to get a refund

The name on your passport must match the name on your ticket. This is why.

What happens if the name on your passport doesn’t match your ticket?

If you don't want to tip on your cruise, you need to let the cruise line know before you leave the ship. This cruise ship passenger thinks auto-tips are unfair.

This is what happens if you don’t want to tip on your cruise

Could a hotel charge you a smoking fee even if you don't smoke? This hotel seems to think so.

How to get a surprise hotel smoking fee reversed? Like this

If you find mice in your next vacation rental, should you get a refund? This Airbnb guest believes so.

My vacation rental has mice! Shouldn’t Airbnb refund me?

7 Simple ways to get excellent customer service and fix your consumer problem.

7 simple ways to fix any consumer problem

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