EUROPCAR DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK

How can a company ***** so blatantly from everyone and get away with it. I booked a car for my wife to drive around in Durban. After I was informed that my wife must have a credit card in her name when she sign for the car I said she is a house wife and does not have a credit card in her name. I then cancelled the rental car and was charged half of the rental fee for cancellation. This not even 20min after I booked the rental car. How is this possible? They ***** openly and we all let them do it.