Probably you have received a motor vehicle service notification pink postcard informing you that your extended vehicle warranty is about to expire and you need to call a certain number to have the warranty activated.
The motor vehicle service notification also warns that failure to renew the warranty means you are, in effect, assuming responsibility for settling all the bills for repairs.
The motor vehicle service notification record id has your motor vehicle registration and service history. If you call the provided toll-free number, they will help you ensure you continue to enjoy optimal protection and operation.
The notification may come from the vehicle’s factory manufacturer and has all the right language that will make anyone believe the notification is real. But do you ignore the notification with the consequences it states?
What is a Motor Vehicle Service Notification?
The motor vehicle service notification is communication meant to come from the factory automaker to alert you about the status of your car warranty.
It normally arrives as a pink postcard and shows the service records, warranty protection, and expiration date.
This correspondence will contain vital information, such as the vehicle model/make and phone number. It could also have the seal or logo of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
You will also be able to spot the factory manufacturer and dealership that you purchased the car from.
However, not all motor vehicle service notification letters are real. It’s very important that you take time to determine whether this correspondence is legitimate before you make any decisions.
What to Do to Be Safe From Motor Vehicle Service Notification Scams
#1. Know These Warranties Are Generally Not Needed.
As stated previously, even if the extended warranty comes from a genuine company, they rarely prove cost-effective for most motorists, and most finance companies will not require them either.
#2. Don’t Give Out Your Personal Information.
Never divulge your Vehicle Identification Number or your driver’s license number to just anybody, nor indeed any other personal and financial information.
Not only could you get scammed for a lousy extended warranty, but you could end up in a far worse situation with identity theft.
#3. Check Your Paperwork.
Always keep the paperwork that came with your motor vehicle from the manufacturer. If you’ve lost it or mislaid it, it may be possible to get copies by talking to the dealer or manufacturer. This will prove useful to you for times such as these.
Take a look at these original papers that came with your vehicle and check if your warranty really has expired or not by the miles and/or years it’s been used.
Check the other basic details on it are all correct and complete. Incorrect details and/or missing details in place indicate it’s sent by scammers. Some information is not enough. It all needs to be correct.
Then, take a look at all the other details on the notification. Confirm that the company’s phone number matches the number on your original documents or the manufacturer’s official website (not the one listed on any notification as it could be fake).
If the phone number isn’t a match, then call the number on your paperwork or the number on the website and ask them whether the notification you have really was sent by them. Also, see where the notification was sent from.
If it’s sent from another state, then you know where the manufacturer operates; that’s a warning sign.
Everything else should match, including a watermark if there is one. Quality of printing and paper can also be another big giveaway.
#4. Read the Fine Print Before Signing.
If you genuinely think one of these will be useful for you, read the fine print before signing anything. These warranties usually come with a host of exclusions hidden in the small print, whatever the smooth-talking agent will tell you on the phone.
If the agent doesn’t want you to see the fine print, that is a red flag. Be wary if they want you to decide immediately, too. Legitimate companies offering authentic services give customers time to think about things and check them out.
#5. Ask Your Dealership.
Contact your dealership and ask them about the motor vehicle service notification. If it’s real, they will soon tell you.
Motor Vehicle Service Notification – How The Scam Works
A motor vehicle service notice is a way for the manufacturer to notify you that your extended warranty is expiring and provide you with ample time to make a decision on how to proceed.
It works the same way as an internet, cable, or mobile phone contract, albeit more complicated.
The letter itself may look legit and have all the right markings and stamps, and even a secure seal on it.
When you open it, you’ll find that the notice contains information about your vehicle, some of which isn’t available publicly. There will always be a 1-800 phone number for you to call and arrange an extension of the service.
Here are a few tips on how to spot fake notification letters:
- The letter doesn’t start with your first and last name – it may say “Dear Ford owner” or other generic phrases.
- The body of the letter is authoritative and even threatening, with the intent of making you act quickly and without thinking.
- Lack of sensitive information, like the purchase date, contract code, engine number, etc.
- Includes seemingly sensitive information that can easily be found through a VIN check.
- The only means of contact is a phone number.
- Lack of company details in the letter.
The sensitive information about the vehicle is what makes the scam look good, and what makes most people assume it’s legit. However, a lot of the information used can be acquired through a simple VIN check.
Go to your car and take a look at the bottom of your windshield on the driver’s side – there’s a small section where a series of numbers and letters is visible. This is your car’s VIN number and it can easily be copied by the scammer on a public parking lot.
The VIN number will tell you a lot about the vehicle, making it a great source of information when buying a used vehicle. Carfax is one of the most popular VIN checkers, and for a small fee, they’ll provide you with data on:
- Vehicle registration history
- Title information
- Odometer readings
- Accident history
- Service, repair, and inspection history
- Vehicle usage status (lease, rental, taxi, etc.)
You can easily see how this information could be construed to make you believe that the letter is coming straight from the dealership or the manufacturer.
The scammer has the information regarding your car’s make, model, engine type, and last reported odometer reading so they can easily fabricate a story where your car crossed too many miles for the warranty to cover, and the only course of action is to renew it.
Some scams are blatant theft, where they get you to transfer your money to them, only to never hear from them again.
However, the majority of scams actually completely legal. They get you to sign up for an insurance policy but write the contract up in such a way that you can never claim it.
The most popular is saying that your car has been abused, no matter what the issue is, which results in an automatic void of the warranty you’ve spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars on.
Motor Vehicle Service Notification: Reasons You Received It
If you’re getting motor vehicle service notifications, it’s likely for a few reasons.
#1. Oil Change.
If you are getting a motor vehicle service notification, it is probably because your car is due for a tune-up or oil change. Getting these services done regularly is essential to keep your vehicle running smoothly. If you neglect to do so, you could have serious engine problems.
#2. Car’s Emissions System.
Another reason you may be getting a motor vehicle service notification is that there is something wrong with your car’s emissions system.
This system is responsible for reducing the amount of pollution your car emits. If it is not working correctly, you could be damaging the environment and putting yourself at risk for respiratory problems.
#3. Car Service.
If you receive a motor vehicle service notification, don’t ignore it. Get your car serviced as soon as possible to avoid any potential problems. If you’re getting motor vehicle service notifications, it’s likely for a few reasons.
#4. Issue In Car Parts.
There may be an issue with your tires, brakes, or other parts of your car that need to be addressed.
You may have recently been in an accident or had another issue that requires repairs. Whatever the reason, it’s essential to take care of your car and get it serviced regularly to ensure it runs safely and smoothly.
#5. Safety Issues.
If your car has a safety issue, the manufacturer will usually issue a recall to fix the problem. If you receive a recall repair notification, bring your vehicle in as soon as possible to resolve the issue.
#6. You’ve Been Involved In An Accident.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, your insurance company will want to know about it as soon as possible. They may request that you get your car serviced so they can assess the damage and see if it’s repairable.
#7. Your Car Has Been Stolen.
You should notify your insurance company immediately if your car has been stolen. They will likely ask you to get your car serviced so they can assess the damage and see if it’s repairable.
#8. You’ve Made A Claim On Your Insurance Policy.
If you’ve made a claim on your insurance policy, your insurance company will want to know about it. They may request that you get your car serviced so they can assess the damage and see if it’s repairable.
#9. Your Car Needs A Routine Service.
Most cars need a routine service every few months or years. Your insurance company may request that you get your car serviced so they can keep track of its maintenance history.
How Do You Know if the Motor Vehicle Service Notification Is Real?
#1. The Notification Comes at the Correct Time.
Genuine notices are sent when your current manufacturer’s warranty is about to expire or has expired.
A regular manufacturer’s warranty covers basic vehicle parts and lasts from 3 to 5 years or 36,000 – 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
If you are receiving notifications and your original warranty is nowhere near expired yet by age or miles, you can be pretty sure the notification is fake.
#2. The Notification Has Your Basic Information.
A legitimate motor vehicle warranty expiration notification has your (correct) basic information, plus your vehicle’s correct year and mileage as per its last known service. It doesn’t lack these details or get these basic details wrong.
#3. The Notification Has the Correct Purchase Price of Your Vehicle.
A genuine notification has the correct original price of the vehicle. It won’t lack this information or get it wrong.
#4. The Notification Has a Company Name on It.
A legitimate motor vehicle service notification will have the company’s name on it. If the letter or postcard does not have a company name on it, then it’s been sent by a scammer.
#5. The Company Name and Phone Number on the Notification Match Your Manufacturer’s Warranty.
You can know if you’re dealing with the same company that supplied your manufacturer’s warranty by comparing the details on the notification postcard or letter with the details on your original manufacturer’s warranty.
The company name and phone number should match exactly. If you can’t find your original paperwork, check out (the real) company’s website, not any web address given on the notification.
Then compare the phone number on the website to the phone number on your notification. Alarm bells should ring if details differ.
#6. The Notification Has Been Sent From the Company’s Known Location and Not a Different State.
Be wary if the notification has been sent from out of state.
#7. The Company’s Customer Care Agents Treat You With Courtesy.
A legit company won’t try to frighten you or hard sell or tell you you ‘must’ have it.
Signs Your Motor Vehicle Service Notification Is a Scam
#1. The Notification Doesn’t Come at the Correct Time.
If you receive a notification and your original manufacturer’s warranty is nowhere near due to be extended based on your vehicle’s age and/or miles, you can be pretty sure the notification is a scam.
#2. The Notification Lacks and/or Gets Basic Information Wrong.
A scam notification, though it has some information, will unlikely have all the correct basic information about you and/or your vehicle, such as your vehicle’s mileage as per its last known service.
#3. The Notification Lacks the Correct Purchase Price of the Vehicle.
A genuine notification has the correct original purchase price of your vehicle.
#4. The Notification Lacks a Company Name.
A genuine notification will have the company’s name on it.
#5. The Company Name (if There Is One) and/or Phone Number Doesn’t Match That on Your Manufacturer’s Warranty.
It should be self-evident you are dealing with scammers. Both details should match exactly.
#6. The Notification Comes From a Different State to Where You Know the Manufacturer Is Based.
This could be a warning sign you are dealing with scammers.
#7. The Agents Are Pushy on the Phone.
Scammers don’t like giving you a moment to think about it. They will use scare tactics to bombard you into signing up and signing up right now.
They may even become rude and disrespectful if you hesitate or ask too many questions. The best thing to do when this happens is hang up.
#8. They Grossly Exaggerate Likely Future Repair Bills.
Scammers will use grossly inflated figures about what future car repairs could cost you to justify their expensive (and usually unnecessary) extended warranties.
#9. They Say Your Finance Company Requires It.
It’s very unlikely this is the case. This is a scare tactic to fool the unwary. There’s an easy way to confirm if your finance company really does require it – by calling them up and asking.
Motor Vehicle Service Notification Scam? Is It A Scam or Legit?
It depends on how you look at it. There is a legitimate notification from your vehicle manufacturer or dealership, and of course, there is a scam one from other companies that sell car warranties.
Some dealerships sell customer information to third-party warranty companies. So, the origin of the notification is what you need to investigate to know if you are being scammed or you are getting one from your vehicle manufacturer.
A legitimate motor vehicle service notification will check all the boxes:
- Sent when your current factory warranty is about to expire or expired
- Use the legitimate company name and phone number
- Have professional customer care agents treat you with courtesy
- The notification has legitimate previous vehicle service records
- Notification sent from the company’s known location and not a different state
Most customers don’t consider extended warranty protection, particularly if they don’t plan on keeping the vehicle for long. This makes great sense, but if you are planning on keeping the car for heavy use or over 10 years, then consider it.
The warranty covers basic maintenance services like motor oil changes, brake noise, AC not performing, and steering noise.
A scam notification will bombard you almost after every two months, and you can receive it from different companies, all with genuine wording to convince you to extend the warranty. It may be a letter or postcard for a vehicle you don’t own.
Vehicle Services Division Letter
A letter from the vehicle services division is one and the same as a letter or postcard that contains a motor vehicle service notification. It’s usually a scam, especially if it doesn’t have the company’s information on it.
This letter may come by mail or email and claims to be from a vehicle service division entity. Again they will usually notify you of a soon to expire car warranty and ask you to call or send in money to renew it.
Avoid giving out any of your personal or financial information so you can avoid having your money or identity stolen. Vehicle services division letters are almost always a scam, so be on the lookout and if you do receive one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission FTC.
You can also report it to your state attorney general or consumer protection office. You can block email addresses or phone numbers that attempt to contact you about this.
Are Extended Warranties Worth It?
Anything warranty is worth renewing – it reduces the cost of repairs you may need to do on your car. Without warranties, you’d have to pay solely for any repair or replacement, and the cost of most auto repairs can go above $500 – up to thousands of dollars.
Yes, extended warranties are worth it, especially if you’re buying a used car. Brand new cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty, so you don’t need an extended warranty until the manufacturer’s warranty elapses.
However, before picking up an extended warranty with an issuer, ensure to check around for more options with friendlier terms, and of course, cheaper plans. Buying warranties from dealerships can be extremely expensive, you may want to check other alternatives.
What Should You Do If You Receive One of These Notices?
The first item of business that should be tended to when receiving a motor vehicle service notification involves discerning whether or not the notice in question is of a legitimate nature.
If it’s been blatantly sent from a third-party entity, you should disregard the notice in question, without exception.
If the notice that has been received appears to be from a local dealership, follow up research is suggested.
Try calling a known dealership contact number, such as that provided by the average Google search, to reach a dealership representative who can vouch for the notice’s legitimacy.
Never call the number provided on the service notice itself, unless, of course, this number matches that of the actual dealer itself.
How to Stay Away from Vehicle Warranty Scams?
There are many ways by which you can prevent these scammers from taking advantage of you.
#1. Be Skeptical.
Don’t just believe the motor vehicle notification letter or notice that you receive. The companies that do this will try to make the impression that they are from the car dealer or the car manufacturer.
They will use terms such as Final Warrant Notice and Notice of Interruption. It will seem very urgent, and they will induce you to call their toll-free number.
If you call the number, it is more than likely that before you receive any information about their service contract, they will subject you to high-pressure sales techniques. They may even demand your personal financial information and possibly ask for a down payment.
#2. Don’t Give Out Your Personal Information.
Don’t just provide any personal information, primarily financial, to anybody that you don’t know. Never divulge personal financial details such as Social Security Number, Credit Card number, and bank account to just anybody.
You shouldn’t give out even your Vehicle Identification Number or your driver’s license number.
#3. Be Alert for Fast-talking Telemarketers.
If somebody calls you about your vehicle warranty expiration, don’t take it at face value. Check your car’s warranty in your car owner’s manual or contact the dealer or car manufacturer where you bought your vehicle.
Be wary if they want you to decide right away. Legit businesses will give their customers time to deliberate their decisions.
When to Buy Vehicle Warranty Protection?
I am not saying that you disregard buying a car service contract. It is entirely right to purchase such an arrangement if you buy a used car, mostly if sold on an “as-is – no warranty” basis.
Most used cars in this category have expired warranties. So all the repairs and fixes that it should have will be shouldered by you.
Some used car dealers offer their customers a dealer-service contract within 90 days of buying a used car. There are “implied warranties” under state law that may provide you warranty rights.
Some states prohibit the sale of “as is” used cars, while other states demand the use of certain words to deny implied warranties.
There are also some states which follow “lemon laws” for used vehicles. You can receive a replacement or a refund if the used car you bought is defective.
FAQs.
Q: Do You Need to Buy a Service Contract?
Ordinarily, you don’t need to buy an extended warranty after buying a car and it is not a requirement that you sign one with your dealer if you bought the vehicle through financing.
If your dealer agrees you need the contract, call your lender and confirm if that’s true. Don’t be naïve like other buyers who didn’t cancel the warranty or contract after knowing that it’s not a requirement.
Also, be on guard against dishonest dealerships who may sneak in a service contract without your knowledge.
Ask the dealer the moment you notice a fee for a service warranty or contract you didn’t ask for, and ensure to remove it before signing your loan document.
Q: What is a Vehicle Warranty Expiration Notice?
It’s a letter or postcard notice informing you that your factory warranty is expiring or has already expired after exceeding the age and mileage covered by the warranty.
In case the actual records may show that you haven’t exceeded the warranty coverage terms, it means you are dealing with a scam.
A legitimate vehicle warranty expiration notice has your basic information, including years and miles.
The warranty covers basic vehicle components and lasts from 3 to 5 years or 36,000 – 60,000 miles, depending on which one comes first. The warranty notice bears the original price of the vehicle.
Q: Why am I getting car warranty calls?
If your factory warranty is expiring, you will receive car warranty calls. The calls try to convince you to extend the vehicle service warranty for more protection. The caller may have your personal and car information, such as the type and model of the car you drive.
You may also receive calls from scammers posing as legit representatives of your factory manufacturer or car dealer informing you of your impending warranty expiration.
The call includes a service pitch to convince you to renew or extend the warranty or policy. Ignore calls that are not from your car dealer or auto warranty company. Ignore calls from unfamiliar area codes.
Q: Who are auto warranty services?
This is a company, dealer, or auto manufacturer offering warranty or service contracts for protections like vehicle repairs and service. Sometimes they send you letters and postcards or call to extend your auto service warranty.
Q: How do warranty companies get my information?
Most third-party warranty companies combine your personal information, like address and the vehicle, with publicly available mailing lists to get your phone number and name.
They do the same for other car owners, for all whose vehicles are nearing the end of their factory warranties.
Some third-party warranty companies liaise with car salesmen and auto dealers to get your personal information when you buy a car. This is an ongoing repetitive process that catches many car owners unaware.
Q: Are vehicle service contracts worth it?
Vehicle service contracts cover certain auto repair costs when the factory warranty expires.
However, it’s not for everyone as they have a high price tag and don’t cover everything. Also, most people who buy them don’t use them, which makes them a financial burden.
According to a survey by consumer report, 55 percent of respondents who bought a vehicle service contract didn’t use it, with only a quarter of the respondents saying they would buy a vehicle service contract again.
Q: What is a good extended car warranty company?
Endurance offers the best extended car warranty. All your letters and postcards are sent from the Endurance Vehicle notification department. The company has over 10 years of service experience and the best A-rated insurance – AM.
Q: How do I stop car warranty calls?
Note down the phone number of the robocall and block it using the phone carrier blocking tools. FCC now requires all phone carriers to add robocall blockers by default.
Check the service your carrier uses or has added to your service account. If they call your iPhone, use the silence unknown calls feature to take care of the robocalls.
Final Words
You can receive a motor vehicle service notification in the mail informing you to extend your vehicle service contract to keep your protection.
Honda car owners will get a legitimate Honda vehicle notification from the manufacturer with a known address and phone number. Always check the details to avoid being scammed by third-party warranty companies.
A vehicle service contract is a service agreement program that covers certain repair costs like battery problems, engine knocking, car sensors, and fuel indicator service among others.
The factory warranty expiry is on your motor vehicle registration. Car owners have the ultimate say on whether to extend their warranty. Contact us if you need clarification.