Final Warranty Notice: Auto Scam Warning

[Guest]

I normally wouldn't post something like this... however, it just hit home today.

I received a card in the mailbox just now from Vehicle Services out of St. Peters, Missouri.

Basically it stated that "Final Warranty Notice" Recall Updates Available.

It had my name listed and then my supposed car that I supposedly owned.

VRN#:
Model Year:
Vehicle Make: (It listed Volswagen, Volvo, and Saab)

This Card was addressed directly to me and urged me to call an 866-XXX-XXXX number.

I turned the card over and read some BS about my Factory Warranty had Expired....etc... and to call to renew...etc...

Anyrate at the very bottom it says to Have your Exact Miles and your VIN# available when you call....

I'm thinking geez... they supposedly already have my VIN# on the front of the card.

Luckily for me... I have never owned one of the 3 cars listed....which set off a red flag for me.

So then I did a little research and came across this:
which pretty much confirmed my suspicions that it was a scam.

So I'm just putting this onto Punaweb because if I can get something like this sent to me *edit* and almost fall for it *edit*...then anyone in Hawaii can.

[Rob Tucker]

I've gotten half a dozen calls from these scammers.

Hang up on 'em. Or better yet... get them on the line and then ask them to please hang on while you set the phone down on the counter and walk away.

[mella l]

We have been getting the robo calls here in nowhere northern California for weeks now, at times twice a day. Interestingly we are on the no call list, perhaps defunct now? We even went to the trouble to call the number and have it ring 40 times. Sorry this nuisance has reached the shores of paradise also! Rob's solution sounds like the way to go!!

mella l

PS both of our vehicles are long past warranty! Well the mortgage loan scam has gone belly up so the scammers need a new vein to mine ya?

[morganlady]

My mother just got one of those mailings and she hasn't had a car for 4 years - and the last one was a 1980 Riviera! Long lasting warranty, eh?
Someone phones me about those, too, and I always ask them which car is it? They can't tell me, so I tell them "Too bad!". I have a 2003 and a 2006 - its not MY job to sell me some useless crap!

[John S. Rabi]

Too bad I can't post a voice clip here. It's about someone answering a call like that as a detective at a homicide scene. He actually starts grilling the guy on the phone! It's hilarious!

Aloha,
John S. Rabi ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[frossie]

quote:

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Originally posted by mella l

We have been getting the robo calls here in nowhere northern California for weeks now, at times twice a day. Interestingly we are on the no call list, perhaps defunct now?

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The list still exists, but was only valid for a certain number of years. If you registered when it first started, it is time you resubmitted your numbers. You can do that at http://www.donotcall.gov

[Bullwinkle]

we had one company that just would not quit faxing with useless junk and offers.

we taped a few pieces of typing paper together to make an endless loop through the fax machine with a "kindly remove us" reply message. Dialed the 800 number and let her rip ... for 10 hrs or so at a time, for a couple of days

they gave up , never heard from them again

[DrJ]

This is one reason I don't have a land line. We just use cell phones and we haven't had a telemarketer call in quite a while. I did, however get a notice in the mail about my vehicle warranty. I ignored it since our warranty failed to cover any of the parts that actually wore out on the vehicle, which we had to replace ourselves. I didn't realize it was a scam till now.

[Bob Orts]

These companies have been around for a long time. They cull through public records (accident reports, insurance claims, motor vehicle information, etc) for cars where a normal factory warranty has expired. These are massed produced with no concern if the info is valid or not. The letters and calls fall into two groups, extended service companies and scammers.

Extended service companies offer extended service plans. They usually provide information on their various products and services as well as contact info. The vast majority gets their info directly from the dealership who gets a cut. If the dealer can't sell you the plan, they figure what the heck try to get something. Many states regulate these through the department of insurance (extended service plans are often classified as insurance products). You should also look at the fine print and see what Insurance Company is underwriting the plan. A call to them about the actions of their vendors can yield amazing results.

Scammers are selling butkus. They want your credit card info to sell you more stuff or outright fraud. Their policies, if even real, are so full of exceptions your lucky if you get $1 back for every $2000 you spend. Unlike the legitimate (although just as annoying) extended service companies, these scammers just make the info up.

In both cases, if you suspect something fraudulent or illegal, send a copy of the entire letter/solicitation/notes of the call to the Attorney General's office, the Dept of Insurance and if by mail to the US Postal Inspectors. Outline your concern and if they see something, they will handle. If you receive a call, and you’re on the national Do-Not-Call list, contact the Federal Trade Commission and report a violation.

Sending a copy to the Better Business Bureau won't do much good if a scammer, but will at least put them on alert.

To verify your entry on the Do Not Call list, go to www.ftc.gov/donotcall.

The actions of the sales staff can be a window into the actions of the company. If they are hassling you for a sale, imagine the hassles they will give you with a claim.

[StillHope]

quote:

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Originally posted by Bullwinkle

we had one company that just would not quit faxing with useless junk and offes.

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Unlike the phone calls,faxes with the junk mail are illegal ,but not too many people would pursue this.Your solution was brilliant!