We picked up a Hertz (it was originally supposed to be Thrifty) hire car from Geneva airport which already had some reported damage. Due to the way that the car was parked (very close to the car in front) I was unable to inspect the very lower part of the front bumper. I did try to raise a small number of other bits of damage (scratches mostly) but these were waved away by the staff and not added to the pre-hire inspection report. I was unable to drive the car until I had agreed to the pre-hire inspection form, and therefore was unable to move the car to fully inspect the front until I had signed the form. I drove the car very carefully during our 4-day hire and did not notice at any time the small dint to the lower front bumper or the scrapes to the plastic underside of the front bumper. On return, the staff immediately identified the damage to the underneath of the front bumper despite it not being able to be seen unless you were lying on the floor in front of the car. I denied causing the damage and my wife asked to speak to a manager or supervisor. The staff then spoke among themselves (in French which we could understand) deciding who was going to be the manager and basically said that if we didn't have photos from the start of the hire then we had to pay. I have since received an invoice for about £1000 which they insist I need to pay by bank transfer. I continued to dispute the invoice on the basis that I was unable to fully inspect the car due to its parking location before signing the agreement. From the way the staff were acting, both during the pickup (retrospectively) and during the drop-off, I believe that they knew the damage was there the whole time and I am effectively the 'fall guy' to pick up the bill. At no point have Hertz attempted to address any of my concerns but have now referred the matter to a UK debt collection agency who are now threatening to take me to court. Hertz or Thrifty, never ever again. Hirers beware.