Alamo Rent A Car

I reserved a car from Alamo for the night of Aug 25, 2023. I have travelled from Orlando, FL to Jacksonville, FL, which is roughly a 140-mile drive. I picked up the car around 10PM at Orlando International Airport and I drove directly home. I made no stops along the way. I arrived home (with NO INCIDENT) shortly after 12. I have returned the car on 27th around 11AM at Jacksonville airport as I have booked for the same (Pickup at Orlando and return at Jacksonville). The car sat at my apartment from the time I arrived home until I got back in it at 11AM to return it, I parked my car in one of the spaces indicating that it was for Alamo drop-offs. And a lady had reviewed the car by walking around and opened all the doors including the trunk. She did not report any damage and she had given the clearance.

While she handed over me to the final billing booth, she mentioned "car returned with out any damage, fuel full and no personal items.". The billing team has finalized my billing and I have requested to change the credit card which I have given at the pickup. They changed it and billed to my new card. Until now everything is smooth.

Fast forward to Thursday, 08/31/2023 (4 DAYS LATER TO BE EXACT) where an agent from Alamo's "Damage Recovery Unit" contacted me to through email that there was a damage to the car I rented. Immediately I have replied to the same email and made it clear that I had no accident in the vehicle to my knowledge, I never hit anybody/anything and nothing/nobody had hit me!. Also asked what was damage and further details. No reply from Damage control team for more than 13 days and today on 09/13/2023, they sent an email with PDF attached that I need to pay ~$600. I was surprised and by the photos, I can see that it is not a small mark or something to hide even. It is a clear visible mark even if you see it from far. I have checked the vehicle and Alamo representative checked the vehicle even and reported none. Called service center which they mentioned in the document and an agent who explained to me (quite curtly). She then said that there was damage to the boot. I told her that I did not hit anything/drive over anything. She said the investigation claim could take 2-3 wks.

Unfortunately I did not take any pictures of the vehicle upon acquiring it and while returning it, I just thought it would be a fairly straight easy drive coming home. I also didn't take insurance on the vehicle as I have my own insurance. In my case, I DID NOT HAVE ANY INCIDENT IN THAT CAR. This whole situation is incredibly shady. That's all I can say.