How to avoid the car rental gift card scam:Remember this: Car rental companies will never ask travelers to pay using gift cards. Fake travel agents who ask you to pay them directlyUnfortunately, unqualified and fake travel agents live among us. Related: How to spot fake travel agents (my report for The Points Guy)How to avoid predatory “travel agents”Professional organizations like ASTA provide online tools (VeriVacation) where you can locate vetted travel advisors. Car rental damage scamsPost-reservation, car rental damage claims are surging, and I’ve proven many to be outright scams. How to avoid fraudulent car rental damage claimsSome franchised car rental locations appear to be more willing than ever to pin repair bills on unsuspecting travelers.