Car warranty robocalls: "we've been trying to reach you"

"We've been trying to reach you concerning your car's extended warranty." It's probably the most famous robocall in America. It has been parodied for years, and it still rings millions of phones, including people who don't own a car.

What the call sounds like

A recorded voice, sometimes with a fake "dealer" or "vehicle services department" name, says something like this (illustrative):

• "This is your final courtesy call regarding your vehicle's factory warranty, which is about to expire."
• "To speak to a specialist and keep your coverage, press 1 now. To be removed from our list, press 2."

Press 1 and you reach a high-pressure salesperson who asks for your vehicle details, then your card or bank number for a "down payment". The same pitch arrives by text and in letters stamped "Final Notice" or "Vehicle Coverage Expiration".

What they're actually selling

There's no warranty about to expire. What these callers sell is usually a vehicle service contract. The FTC notes that a service contract, often marketed as an "extended warranty", is not actually a warranty under federal law. It's a separate, optional product. Some are legitimate, but the FTC warns that companies pitching them by robocall probably aren't connected to your dealer or manufacturer, and:

• they may push for your financial information and a down payment before you've seen the contract;
• the contract may exclude so much that it's close to worthless;
• the company may be gone by the time you need to make a claim.

In the worst cases there's no contract at all, just a charge on your card and your details sold on to other scammers.

These calls are usually illegal

Under FCC rules, prerecorded telemarketing calls generally need your prior express written consent, whether they ring your cell phone or your home landline. A company you've never heard of has almost certainly not got that consent.

Regulators have gone after the biggest operators. In July 2022, the FCC ordered all U.S. phone companies to stop carrying calls from an auto warranty robocall operation linked to Roy Cox Jr. and Aaron Michael Jones. In August 2023, the FCC imposed a record fine of $299,997,000 on that operation. The calls didn't stop entirely (other callers stepped in), but it shows these calls are treated as unlawful, not just annoying.

Red flags

• A recorded message about a warranty you didn't know you had.
• "Final notice", "last chance" or "coverage expires today".
• Calls about a car you sold years ago, or a car you never owned.
• They won't name the company backing the contract, or won't send the full contract before you pay.
• A demand for card or bank details on the first call.
• A caller ID that looks local, often a sign of spoofing, not a nearby business.

Your real warranty is safe

If your car is still under the manufacturer's warranty, you'll hear about it from your dealer or the manufacturer, not a robocall. The FTC also points out that you don't have to use the dealer for routine maintenance to keep that warranty. Just keep your service records. If you genuinely want a service contract, ask your dealer or manufacturer, read the whole contract, and check out the company with your state attorney general before you buy.

What to do

1. Hang up without pressing anything.
2. Block the number, though these calls rotate through many numbers. See how to block numbers and how to stop robocalls.
3. Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry. Scammers ignore it, but it makes reporting legitimate-looking violators easier.
4. Report the call (below).

If you already paid

• Call your card issuer or bank, explain what happened, and dispute the charge.
• Contact the company in writing to cancel and ask for a refund, and keep copies.
• If that fails, complain to your state attorney general and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Expect more calls. Your number may now be on a "buyers" list. Be ready to hang up.

Where to report

• The FTC's Do Not Call complaint form at DoNotCall.gov.
• The FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.

Those complaints aren't wasted. ShadyCall shows the FTC and FCC complaints filed about each number, alongside community reports and the ShadyCall Score. See the latest auto warranty calls and what's trending right now.