A recent theft incident prompted PERG to consider the murky question regarding equipment that’s rented and not returned. At what point can a rental company say that a rented item has been stolen? And at what point should it make a report to RENTAL GUARD?
Recently, a rental company had a piece of gear that was overdue to be returned. They feared the worst and posted a report to RENTAL GUARD. Subsequently the insurance company contacted RENTAL GUARD saying that there was no proof yet that the equipment was stolen and asking that the post be taken down. Who was right?
A Missing Equipment Report does not necessarily say the equipment has been stolen. It says that the equipment is missing. If the equipment is overdue, and the production has not contacted the rental company with extenuating circumstances and there are reasons to suspect foul play, it is important to make the report quickly.
Similarly, a Questionable Customer Alert does not say a customer is a thief, instead it provides other member rental companies with specific questionable aspects uncovered in a rental application process and alerts those companies to be sure to do their due diligence if approached. The alerts have proved very effective in helping rental companies avoid losses.
Reporting quickly can be critical. When one company reports equipment missing, the report can prompt other rental companies to call and email from all over the country (and the world) attesting that the same person was associated with a theft or attempted theft at their company, thereby giving law enforcement a clear remit to pursue the matter as a crime. Otherwise police generally view the matter as a contract dispute and do not get involved.
We also encourage rental companies to register for RENTAL GUARD before they experience a theft so that, in the event one happens, there is no delay in getting the report out.
Of course, the same is not true for reporting to the insurance company or to the police. Before the police will come to your location or file a report, they will need evidence that a crime has been committed, such as the customer cancelling their credit card and disconnecting their phone.
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