- What is a Car Warranty Scam Robocall?
- Scammers Ignore the National Do Not Call Registry
- Try to Con $1,500+ to Extend Your Car’s Warranty
- Car Warranty Robocall Scams are Illegal
- Avoid Pressing Buttons or Asking to Be Removed from the List
- How to Deal with a Robocall Scam
- Use Phone’s Built-in Screening Features
Most people receive a number of robocalls about their expired car warranty each week, even if they don’t own a vehicle. If you’ve missed a call before, it’s likely that you got caught in one of these traps. This article discusses why these car warranty scams happen, what to do if you get one, and ways to stop them from happening again.
What is a Car Warranty Scam Robocall?
These types of scam calls are designed to trick you into calling a number that seems as if it’s legitimate. The fake number usually says it’s from the car manufacturer, like General Motors for example. They claim you have an expired warranty or are due for an important recall and then request that you call them back for help.
Scammers Ignore the National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry allows consumers to register their cell phone numbers in order for telemarketers to stop calling them. However, this doesn’t stop scammers from calling you. Since they aren’t legitimate businesses and often don’t have a real number to connect to, the calls usually come from unknown numbers.
A common way that the scammers try and trick you into calling back is by saying that you must call back right away in order to ensure you get help. They may also try using your name in the message (such as “This is David Smith with Auto Warranty Services”) in order to convince you that it’s safe.
Try to Con $1,500+ to Extend Your Car’s Warranty
Have you ever received a message about an easy way to extend your car warranty for up to seven years? That’s what usually happens after the call about the expired warranty. Sometimes, they ask you to pay $1,500 or more in order to receive a promotion on extending your car warranty. Only, there isn’t a real warranty, and it is just a scam to get your money.
Car Warranty Robocall Scams are Illegal
Car warranty robocall scams are illegal. It is illegal for telemarketers to make them, and it is illegal for the scammers to request money or personal information. If they request either of these things, you should hang up immediately. Anyone caught targeting people who are registered on the National Do Not Call Registry is also committing a crime.
Do not waste time trying to press buttons or calling a number to be removed from the list. It won’t work. The only way to stop robocalls from this number is to always hang up. If you engage with them in any way, they’ll know you’re a live number and then continue to call.
How to Deal with a Robocall Scam
The best way to deal with a robocall scam is by hanging up as soon as you recognize the number on the caller ID. The call may say that it’s from an auto warranty company, but they’re just trying to get you to call back so they can get your personal information. Do not give them any personal information.
Use Phone’s Built-in Screening Features
Try to block scams as they arrive. It’s much easier to avoid robocalls when they’re first made. You can set up your cell phone’s built-in call screening features with the number of rings before a call is answered. This can limit the number of scam calls that you receive overall.
Car warranty scam calls are annoying. The scammers continue to find ways to go around phone filters and caller ID. To avoid these scams, don’t give out your phone number unless you know that the caller will not use it against you in some way and never give scammers your personal information.
For the latest on scams and fraudulent information, check out the Anti-Fraud News blog. It’s always a good thing to be in the know.