Austrian Car Rental Firm 123-Transporter Leaves Thousands of Customers in Deposit Limbo
Austrian car rental company 123-Transporter, operated by 123 Shared Mobility GmbH, has left thousands of customers worried about their debited deposits. The Austrian Consumer Protection Association (Verein für Konsumenteninformation, VKI) manages these deposits, but refunds are uncertain despite customer requests. The company has faced criticism for unrefunded deposits and opaque contract penalties.
123-Transporter has been accused of mixing customer deposits with its own funds, potentially making them indistinguishable in insolvency. The VKI has filed three lawsuits against the company for unfair business practices and grossly disadvantageous terms and conditions. Recently, 123 Shared Mobility GmbH filed for insolvency, and a restructuring procedure without self-administration has been opened. Customers may receive a 20% quota on their claims within two years if the restructuring plan is accepted and fulfilled.
Customers can attempt to retrieve unauthorized debits through a chargeback process with their bank, although there's no legal claim to this. The managing director of 123 Shared Mobility GmbH is under investigation for serious commercial fraud and embezzlement. Contract penalties for speeding or smoking in the vehicle were debited from customers' cards, with clauses considered opaque and disadvantageous. Customers were not clearly informed about additional deposits before renting a vehicle, and refund regulations were unclear.
Thousands of 123-Transporter customers face uncertainty regarding their debited deposits. With the company in insolvency and lawsuits pending, customers may receive a partial refund within two years if the restructuring plan succeeds. Meanwhile, customers can attempt a chargeback process with their bank, and the company's managing director faces fraud and embezzlement investigations.
