Understand car rental fraud mode in Banyuwangi is a must before you decide to transfer the down payment (DP). In the midst of rapid tourism, cases of fraud under the guise of services cheap banyuwangi car rental with the mode of “impromptu insurance fees” is increasingly happening and harming many tourists.
Don't let your intentions to save money end up in debt. Before discussing how to avoid it, let's imagine the nightmare scenario that the following victims often experience:
You've been planning your Banyuwangi vacation since three months ago. The flight tickets are in hand, the dream hotel has been paid in full. Your heart is bursting with excitement at the thought of the beautiful sunrise on the eastern tip of Java.
The plane lands smoothly at Banyuwangi Airport. You exit the arrivals gate, lugging your suitcase excitedly, while calling the number of the car rental service you booked a week ago via Instagram because you were tempted by a very cheap promo price.
“The number you have dialed is not active...”
You try calling again via WhatsApp. Check one. The profile picture suddenly disappears.
Your heart starts racing. You wait 10 minutes, 30 minutes, up to an hour in the deserted airport lobby. No car comes to pick you up. The down payment of 50% that you have already transferred, just disappears.
The story above is not fiction. As a local transportation service provider that has been operating since 2017, we at AyoBanyuwangi is often the place where victimized travelers vent.
Be careful! 5 Car Rental Scams in Banyuwangi & Tips to Avoid Them
So that you don't become the next victim, here's how we break it down 5 characteristics of fake car rental in Banyuwangi and their latest modus operandi that you should be aware of.
Unreasonable “Freefall” Prices
Economic principles are simple and apply everywhere: There is form, there is price.
In Banyuwangi, the market price of car rental has its own standards that are adjusted to the cost of workshop maintenance, vehicle tax, driver salary, and office operations.
If the average official car rental rents Toyota Avanza off key in the range IDR 300,000 - IDR 350,000 per day, then suddenly you come across an ad on Facebook or Instagram offering a price of IDR 150,000 - IDR 250,000 / day with the latest year units, the alarm bells in your head should go off loudly.
Fraud Logic
Scammers don't care about the profit margin of the business because they have no intention of renting out the car. They are only after your transfer money. The low price is just a “bait” to get the victim to transfer money quickly without thinking. Once the money comes in, they profit 100% without any capital.
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Forcing Large Down Payment Transfer to Personal Account
Professional car rentals usually have flexibility in payment. Indeed, a down payment (Down Payment) is required to lock the schedule (especially when high season or weekends), but the amount is reasonable and transparent.
The hallmark of a fake rental usually:
- Urgent & Panic-Creating: They will say, “Sis, there is only one unit left, there are many who want to take it. If you don't transfer the full amount or down payment of 50% right now, we will give the unit to someone else.” They don't give you time to think or check their background.
- Switching Personal Accounts: Today ask for a transfer to account A, tomorrow to account B. Official rentals usually use an account in the name of the company (CV/PT) or a bank account. owner are consistent and clearly listed on their official website.
Impromptu “Insurance Money” Trap (NEW MODUS)
This is the most cunning trick that has been happening to tourists in Banyuwangi lately. Please pay close attention to this point because many smart people are deceived here.
This mode usually occurs AFTER You transfer the down payment for the car rental. You feel safe because you have a down payment.
Suddenly, the scammer admin contacts you again with an urgent tone:
“Sister, we apologize, since this is an off-key rental, our system requires you to transfer your Insurance Deposit or Security Deposit Fee 500,000 - 1 million right now. If not transferred within 30 minutes, the order cannot be processed by the system and your DP will be forfeited.”
They tap into your psychology of fear (Sunk Cost Fallacy). Because they feel that they have already transferred the down payment (it's a shame if it's forfeited), many victims end up transferring the insurance money again.
Once transferred? Your number is immediately blocked. Your total loss is doubled.
Facts on Official Rental:
- Insurance: At authorized rentals such as AyoBanyuwangi, The terms of insurance are always explained IN THE BEGINNING before the deal. No impromptu charges after the transfer.
- Cash Collateral: Yes, an off-key rental does require collateral. BUT, cash collateral (Deposit) is usually submitted WHEN HANDING OVER THE UNIT (meet the car in person at the airport/station), not transferred when you haven't seen the car yet.
“Ghost Office” (Not on Google Maps)
In this digital age, a digital footprint is the ultimate validation. A serious transportation business must have a physical office or at least a clear garage.
It's usually a fake rental:
- Does not have a location point on Google Maps.
- Fake Review: If it's on Maps, the reviews look fake (5-star bot accounts with no detailed comments/photos).
- Fake Shareloc: When prompted share location (Shareloc) office position because you want to drop by, they make excuses (renovation, admin is out, etc.) or give a fictitious location (e.g. the point is in the middle of a rice field or someone else's home address).
Online scammers usually operate remotely. They simply capitalize on photos of stolen cars from Google or other rental websites, then repost them on their social media as if they were their own units.
Offering “Ghost” Units (God Specs at Street Prices)
“Sis, is there an Alphard Transformer unlocked for 500,000?”
“There bro, ready! Unit ready!”
Be careful. This is a trap. Scammers often agree to all your requests even if they don't make sense. They promise luxury or high-spec units that are actually rare, just to get a down payment.
On the day of the event, the scenario is usually like this:
- The car didn't come at all.
- Or, the car arrives but is replaced by a much older and badly damaged unit (“Sorry sis, the Alphard was in an accident this morning, just replace the old Xenia”). Since you're already pressed at the airport and there's no other option, you're forced to accept it grudgingly.
Smart tips to avoid zoning out when renting a car
So, how do you make sure you're renting somewhere safe? Here's our quick checklist:
- Check the Official Website: Serious rentals must have a paid website (suffix .com/.id), not a free blog or just an IG account. Check if the website is neat and update.
- Request a Video Call: This is the most powerful way. If you have any doubts, ask the admin to Video Call briefly showing the car unit in the garage. The scammer will surely refuse this request with a thousand excuses.
- Legality Check: Ask if they are incorporated or at least have a clear reputation in the local tourist community.
- Verify Contact Number: Save their WA number, check on apps like GetContact. See how others have named the number. If there is a tag “Rental Scammer”, block it immediately.
Why Choose AyoBanyuwangi?
We are in AyoBanyuwangi built this business with sweat, hard work, and trust since 2017. For us, your satisfaction is a long-term investment, not a momentary gain to cheat.
Why do thousands of guests trust us with their trips?
- Realization: We have a clear physical office that you can visit anytime. Our fleet (Avanza, Innova Reborn, Hiace) are units of real which we maintain regularly.
- Transparent: The prices we give are honest prices. There is no “Impromptu Insurance Costs” or hidden fees when you land.
- 24-hour service: Our team is ready to assist you anytime, starting from pick-up at Banyuwangi Airport, stations, to port deliveries.
Read also Distance from Banyuwangi Airport to the City Center, Don't Get Transportation Wrong!
Final Word
Banyuwangi is too beautiful to be enjoyed with misgivings. Don't let a price difference of 50 thousand or 100 thousand make you lose millions of rupiah due to irresponsible people.
Choose peace of mind (Peace of Mind).
Choose a travel partner that not only sells cars, but also sells a sense of security and genuine service.
