Singapore car rental firm allegedly owes customers $107,000 in prepaid fees, deposits
Dozens of customers of Charlotte Vehicle, a Singapore-based car rental company, say they are owed around S$137,000 (US$107,000) in prepaid rental fees and deposits.
The private limited company Charlotte Vehicle, newly incorporated in October 2023, faces allegations of owing $107,000 in prepaid fees and deposits to its 34 customers. These customers claim they are owed between a few hundred dollars and over S$39,000 each. The company's director has not commented on the allegations, while its office was found closed on business hours with unopened letters from government agencies at the entrance.
Police have filed reports and launched investigations. Some customers have taken their cases to the Small Claims Tribunals. The firm, offering rental fees as low as S$40 per day, has faced issues, including vehicles being repossessed, defects, and difficulties recovering money after contract termination. One customer, who had paid S$13,764 in advance fees for a lease from January to December 2026, alleges he is still owed S$11,000 in refunds after returning the car in February, despite the company's refusal to release the funds.
The company had previously rejected his claims and threatened legal action. Rental cars are increasingly popular in Singapore, accounting for 14.9% of the city-state’s 653,442 cars by the end of June, up from 10.5% in 2021.
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