22 Tweets You'll Only Understand If You've Gotten 7 Million Calls About "Your Car's Extended Warranty" (2024)

FAQs

Why do I keep getting calls about my car's extended warranty? ›

If you own a vehicle and a phone, you may receive calls from scammers posing as representatives of a car dealer, manufacturer or insurer telling you that your auto warranty or insurance is about to expire. The call will include some sort of pitch for renewing your warranty or policy.

Letters. Scammers might also send a physical letter about an extended warranty. It may address you by name and include official-looking company information. However, if it asks you to send personal information to a specific address or number, it's likely a scam.

It could be a fraud involving a car warranty. Do not call the number on any letter or postcard you receive, even if it appears to be from the manufacturer. It could be a forgery. Don't buy a service contract if your vehicle's warranty has ended or is about to expire.

You can add your name to the National Do Not Call list, but that generally only stops telemarketers from calling you. The best way to avoid extended warranty scam calls is by hanging up the phone immediately and blocking the phone number.

Because dealerships profit more from aftermarket sales than from new car sales, they hope to be your primary source for an extended car warranty. Dealers want to make the car buying experience as easy and efficient as possible, so they will try to sell you a warranty based on convenience and accessibility.

How to get your money back. You can cancel an extended warranty at any time and you'll get a prorated refund for the unused portion of your policy. If the warranty was included in your loan, your car payment won't drop, but you may pay off the car sooner after the refund is deducted from your balance.

We recommend Endurance, which ranks No. 1 in our list of best extended car warranty providers, based on its six coverage options, low cost and trustworthiness.

Final take: An extended warranty is usually a good investment. A vehicle protection plan is an especially wise investment if your car has a reputation for expensive upkeep or below-average reliability. An extended car warranty can offer peace of mind and protect you from high repair bills.

They will say you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest and you need to send them money or you will be arrested. THIS IS A SCAM. No Sheriff's Office or Police Department will call you requesting money. Also, they will not threaten to arrest you if you don't give them money.

You can sign up with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) to eliminate many kinds of mailings. The FTC said doing so will stop most, but not all, promotional mail, and the organization says it will stop about 80% of unwanted mail. Pay a $4 processing fee and your registration will last for 10 years.

Can you decline a warranty? ›

There's good news: Most extended warranties can be canceled and the remaining funds prorated back to you.

There isn't an easy or quick answer about whether to buy an extended warranty. To make the best decision, it's important to consider what is covered by certain warranties (like bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties), how reliable your car is and whether you can afford to pay for major repairs out of pocket.

If you receive a robocall about an extended warranty, it's best to hang up without engaging at all. The call is vague. If the person you're speaking to doesn't have basic information — such as your name, vehicle type and year, and your current or past service contracts — it's a scam.

If you would like to avoid cold-calls from telephone solicitors, including insurance producers, then you should register your telephone number on the Federal Trade Commission's National Do-Not-Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov.

The most direct way to cancel your extended warranty is to contact the accounting department at the dealership. The accounting department is usually responsible for processing the cancellation and refund paperwork, so this is the quickest way to complete the cancellation of your extended warranty.

These unsolicited calls usually involve an automated voice that advises you to take immediate action so your vehicle doesn't lose warranty coverage. These notices play on common fears: missing an important deadline and worrying about expensive car repairs.

You can sign up with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) to eliminate many kinds of mailings. The FTC said doing so will stop most, but not all, promotional mail, and the organization says it will stop about 80% of unwanted mail. Pay a $4 processing fee and your registration will last for 10 years.