Is my car warranty really expiring?

Most factory warranties are 3-5 years or a set mileage. Check your owner's manual or contact your dealer to verify your actual warranty status. Scammers have no way of knowing your real warranty status.

Are extended warranties worth buying?

Some legitimate extended warranties can be worthwhile, but always purchase directly from your manufacturer or a well-established, licensed company. Never buy from unsolicited callers or mailers.

How do I stop auto warranty robocalls?

Register on the Do Not Call Registry, block individual numbers, use your carrier's spam call filtering, and consider call-blocking apps. Report repeated calls to the FTC.

Auto Warranty Scams: Spot Fake Extended Warranty Calls

Overview

Auto warranty scams are among the most common robocall schemes. Scammers contact vehicle owners through calls, texts, emails, and official-looking mailers, claiming your vehicle's warranty is about to expire and urging immediate action. They sell worthless or nonexistent service contracts, collect payment, and either disappear or deny all claims when repairs are needed.

How This Scam Works

Robocalls and texts claim your vehicle's warranty is expiring and urge you to call immediately to avoid losing coverage.

Official-looking mailers disguised as urgent notices from your dealer or manufacturer create a false sense of legitimacy.

When you call back, high-pressure salespeople rush you through the purchase of an overpriced, limited, or completely fake warranty.

If you buy the plan and need repairs, claims are denied for various technicalities, or the company has disappeared entirely.

Warning Signs

⚠Unsolicited calls, texts, or mail about your vehicle warranty

⚠Claims that your warranty is about to expire (when it may not be)

⚠High-pressure tactics to purchase immediately

⚠Vague details about coverage and exclusions

⚠Inability to provide the company's official name, address, or license information

Real Scam Examples

These are examples of messages used in this type of scam.

Robocall

This is your final notice regarding your vehicle's extended warranty. Your warranty coverage is about to expire and this is your last chance to renew. Press 1 now to speak with a coverage specialist before you lose all benefits.

Mail

URGENT NOTICE: Your vehicle warranty is set to expire. Protect yourself from expensive repairs. Call 1-800-XXX-XXXX within 5 business days to maintain your coverage at the current rate.

How to Protect Yourself

1Check your actual warranty status

Contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealer directly to find out if your factory warranty is still active and what it covers.

2Do not respond to unsolicited contacts

Ignore robocalls, texts, and mailers about warranties. Your manufacturer or dealer will not contact you this way about warranty expiration.

3Research any warranty company thoroughly

Before purchasing any extended warranty, check the company's BBB rating, read reviews, and verify they are licensed in your state.

4Block robocall numbers

Register on the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) and use your phone's built-in call blocking features or third-party apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

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