As a former car dealer, I want to clearly state: Any unsolicited contact about your expiring car warranty is likely a car warranty scam attempt. Real providers won’t cold contact you.
Scammers spoof local numbers and reference your car details to seem legit. But don’t be fooled—they obtained the data and reused the same script on millions of people.
They target identity theft and bank fraud by pretending to offer renewals, costing Americans billions per year.
Related Article to Read: Can You Sue a Car Warranty Company
Key Takeaways
- Hang up on all unsolicited warranty calls – they are illegal scam attempts
- Never provide personal or financial data during cold calls
- Proactively contact your manufacturer or dealer if interested in real extended coverage
- Use blocking apps and don’t answer unknown numbers to avoid scams
Table of Contents
Common Car Warranty Scam Tactics
While scam methods evolve, three primary variants continue duping vehicle owners:
Robocalls
- Start with urgent renewal reminder
- Provide number to “speak with representative”
- Gather personal details or payment info
Phishing Texts
- Cite warranty expiration
- Include links to vehicle protection “deals”
- Phish for login credentials or bank data
Deceptive Mailers
- Send fake notifications implying affiliation with dealers/manufacturers
- Display official-looking docs with persona details
- Request owners call provided toll-free numbers
These contacts leverage high-pressure tactics, limited-time offers, and vehicle data purchases to seem legitimate. But real providers won’t cold call or mail unprompted offers.
Scope of Car Warranty Scam Problem
| Statistic | Figure | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTC complaints | 217,000+ | 2021 | 1, 2 |
| Yearly consumer losses | $30+ billion | 2021 | 2, 3 |
| Auto warranty scam calls | 4.7 billion | 2021 | 2, 3 |
| % encountered scam | 71% | 2022 | 4 |
| Accelerating call frequency | 50%+ noticing increase | 2022 | 4 |
Sources: [1] FCC, [2] YouMail, [3] AARP, [4] Pindrop
Warning Signs of an Extended Warranty Scam
While scam calls differ, common red flags can help owners avoid renewal ripoffs:
Aggressive Demands
Scammers rush targets fearing deliberation, threatening consequences for not acting immediately. Real businesses avoid such pressure tactics.
Vague Details
Sparse contract specifics or complex exclusions plague scam warranty deals. Verified providers clearly outline coverage terms upfront.
Requests for Data
Seeking personal identification, financial, or login information always indicates fraud attempts. No legitimate business needs your Social Security number or bank data over the phone.
Unknown Contacts
Callers citing unfamiliar phone numbers or company names when asking for payment should raise suspicions. Independently verify each business prior to sharing information.
Protecting Yourself from Warranty Scams
Luckily, the following tips can help vehicle owners prevent extended coverage cons:
Enable Call Blocking Apps
Robocall-blocking programs like Nomorobo leverage crowdsourced scam data to silence likely fraudsters. Enable such features on smartphones and landlines.
Join the National Do Not Call Registry
While scammers frequently ignore registrations, signing up reduces some legal telemarketing calls. But political, nonprofit and debt collection contacts may still occur.
Report Scam Calls to Authorities
Document the phone numbers, companies, and details of any warranty scams you encounter, then report them to the FCC and FTC. These complaints support potential fines and crackdowns.
Carefully Vet Real Coverage
If interested in legit extended warranties, proactively contact your manufacturer or dealer to avoid scams slipping through instead. Ask precise questions, review contracts thoroughly, and only share data with trusted parties.
My Closing Thoughts
While staying vigilant requires some effort, recognizing common car warranty cons saves vehicle owners significant money and headaches.
Don’t let scammers take advantage – know their tricks, safeguard personal details, and buy real protection directly from verified providers.
Sources and References
- https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/spending/extended-car-warranty-offer-scam
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/what-know-about-auto-service-contracts-and-extended-warranty-scams
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/08/07/fcc-historic-fine-robocall-scam-auto-warranty-calls/70532675007/
- https://www.sccfcu.org/dont-get-caught-in-an-auto-warranty-scam/
- https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2021/car-warranty.html
