Avoid Car Warranty Scams

If you own a vehicle, you’ve probably received a robocall about extending your warranty. If we’re being honest, you’ve probably received these calls even if you don’t own a vehicle. In 2022, the FCC banned groups that made billions of robocalls from running telemarketing operations. You may still receive calls from scammers posing as warranty companies or even dealerships. How do you know if they are scams?

Here’s how those calls typically work. Scammers try to trick car owners by saying their warranty is about to expire. They call pretending to be from your car’s manufacturer or dealer and ask you to press a button to talk to a salesperson. This person will try to get your payment information for an expensive service plan that isn’t a real warranty and only covers a few things.

They may know details about your car to sound believable, but this information is often public. Scammers also send fake letters that look official, with a phone number to call. Always check with your car’s manufacturer or dealer before sharing any information or paying for a plan.

It’s Most Likely a Scam If:

• You don’t own a vehicle 🤯
• The caller tells you your warranty is expiring immediately and you must take immediate action 🎬to continue your coverage
• An outside company offers to extend the factory warranty, with is something only the vehicle’s manufacturer can do.

Protecting Yourself​

• If someone claims to be from your dealership, hang up and call the number on their official website or your paperwork.
• Check when your manufacturer’s warranty ends before considering extra coverage.
• Research companies offering extended coverage. Look up reviews and read the fine print 🖨to see what’s covered and for how long.
• Don’t answer calls 📞 from numbers you don’t know. Let them go to voicemail.
• Caller ID can be faked, so don’t trust it just because it looks legit.
• Don’t press any numbers during a scam call—it lets scammers know your number works.
• Never share personal info like credit card or ID numbers unless you’re sure it’s a trusted company.