You’ve spent the last few weeks shopping for a new car and finally bought your dream car!  You purchased the extended warranty because this new car has so many sensors and electronics all you can think about are the dollar signs it will cost if one of them malfunctions. 

A couple of weeks later you begin receiving phone calls, texts, emails, and notices in the mail regarding your car warranty expiring! 

Unfortunately, if you’ve owned your car for years, you are also a target for this scam.

 

How the Scam Works

  • When the call comes in it may be automated with instructions to select a number or stay on the line and enter your personal information. 
  • The scammer creates a sense of urgency & fear that your warranty is about to expire.  They may tell you if you don’t renew, the cost to repair or replace something on your car will cost you a lot of money.
  • They may offer to extend your factory warranty.  The red flag here is only the manufacturer of your car can do this.
  • They may include actual details about your vehicle and warranty in order to make you believe the call is legit.
  • If you received something in the mail, it may appear to be an invoice stating you owe money. 

The FCC provided an example audio transcript of this scam:

Hi there, this is Jessica calling in regard to your Volkswagen warranty. The warranty is up for renewal. I’d like to congratulate you on your $1,000 instant rebate and free maintenance and oil change package for being a loyal customer. Call me back at 888-206-XXXX to redeem now. Once again that number was 888-206-XXXX. Thank you so much. Have a great day. 

 

How to Protect Against this Scam

  • Do NOT provide any of your personal information to someone calling you.  When in doubt reach out to your auto dealer or salesperson directly. 
  • If the scammer leaves you a voice mail, do not return the call.
  • Do not rely on Caller ID.  Caller ID can be “spoofed” to make it appear legitimate.
  • If you do answer the call by mistake, do not press any numbers on your phone.  Hang up immediately and block the number.
  • If you receive physical mail related to your warranty, disregard and reach out to your auto dealer or salesperson directly.  Do NOT call any number listed on the mailer.  These mailers typically include verbiage such as:
    •  “IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED TO THIS NOTICE REQUESTED”
    • “DEPARTMENT OF AUTOMOBILE RECORDS”
    • “VEHICLE DOCUMENT/ALERT NOTICE”
    • “FINAL NOTICE”