What could happen if a credit card is not swiped during a rental transaction?

If a credit card is not swiped during a rental transaction, one possible consequence is that the rental company may face chargebacks. Chargebacks occur when a customer disputes a charge with their credit card issuer, often due to a lack of authorization or proof of the transaction. Swiping the credit card records important transaction details and confirms that the customer has authorized the use of the card for payment. Without this step, there may be insufficient evidence to support the transaction, increasing the risk that a customer could later dispute the charge, thus leading to chargebacks for the rental company.