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Auto warranty expiration scams
MILWAUKEE - Did you get a call or something in the mail telling you that the warranty on your car had expired?
Before you respond to the notification, you may want to take some precautions.
How do you know if the notification is legitimate?
You need to be careful. A lot of these calls and notifications will have information like the make and model of your vehicle, but may falsely warn you that your warranty has or will expire.
The caller or name of the company may also be confusing, stating that they are the protection or warranty center for your vehicle.
Do not let this fool you.
Keep in mind, your auto manufacturer is not likely to call to tell you that your warranty has or will expire.
If it is legitimate, it will contain the manufacturer's logo, website, vehicle i.D. Number, and other information that is consistent with other mailings that you may have received in the past from the manufacturer.
What can you do to keep from falling for one of these scams, but yet make sure that you are covered under a warranty?
• Before you respond to a call or notification, make sure that you check things out.
Contact the manufacturer or a dealer at a phone number or website that you know is legitimate and ask questions about your warranty.
• Never send money or provide personal information until you know who you are dealing with.
• Read the notice and fine print carefully.
If it is vague or confusing, this could be a strong clue that you will want to throw it away.
If you participated in one of these schemes and fear that you may have been taken, where can you turn for help?
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
These schemes are often carried out throughout the nation. The Federal Trade Commission needs to hear from you in order to take action.
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