A rental deal gone wrong sent police searching for a missing U-Haul truck at a homeless shelter after Kentucky State Police requested help tracking it down.
The bizarre saga began when a woman claimed she had paid $100 to rent a U-Haul with a friend two weeks prior. However, instead of putting the rental under her own name, she registered it under her friend’s since the friend was supposed to be the primary user. The woman later sent an additional $300 to her friend’s mother to extend the rental so she could use the truck to move to Portsmouth.
But the plan quickly unraveled when U-Haul began calling her, desperate to get the truck back. She claimed she tried to return it but was turned away because the rental was not in her name. In frustration, she simply left the vehicle on Findlay Street with the keys in the back.
Officers contacted U-Haul employees, who said they would notify their Ashland office about the vehicle’s last known location. Police also updated Kentucky State Police on their findings.
The Dangers of Renting a Vehicle for Someone Else
Renting a vehicle in someone else’s name may seem like a harmless favor, but it can lead to serious legal trouble. Here’s why:
- You’re Legally Responsible – If the person doesn’t return the vehicle, YOU could be held accountable for the missing rental.
- Unauthorized Use Violates the Contract – Most rental agreements prohibit transferring the vehicle to another driver who isn’t on the contract.
- Risk of Theft Charges – If the vehicle isn’t returned, you could be accused of theft or fraud.
- Financial Liability – If the vehicle is damaged or involved in an accident, the rental company could demand payment from you.
Moral of the story? Never rent a vehicle for someone else—or you could be the next one on the hook for a missing U-Haul!
