Lots of people hate extended auto warranty calls, Part One
I was so glad to hear I'm not the only one annoyed by pesky extended auto warranty offers in my mail, my home phone and cell phone. After the column ran, my colleagues here in the office were quick to send me the numbers annoying them, too.
Marvelous Marcia over on the Metro Desk received several. She's been taking down numbers:
562-288-7125
517-931-2516 (not warranty, but low cost healthcare)
866-788-9833
The great and wonderful Real Estate Wonk-esse herself, Jamie, sent me this number: 402-562-8737. "Please don't make the mistake of driving without a warranty," the recorded voice urged.
Steve from North East said he got rid of one company, but now he's getting a number from outside of the country: 011-50622377029 Costa Rica!!!
Said Steve:
These same idiots were calling me also before lunch and around 6:00PM There is no caller id per se but only an area code that began with 7. They were calling me cell phone # which mad it even worse. They called me when I was shopping at the Food Lion. In total they called about 20 times. I have a fleet car, the car is not registered in my name, and I am about 10K miles beyond the regular Ford warranty.
Finally late last week I got a call and picked it up and pressed the button to speak to someone and got Ben. I told Ben I had a fleet car and to stop calling me all the time. He just hung up, but no calls since.
Carolanne Kapus told one company calling her to buzz off:
I just want to thank you so much for your article regarding those harrassing warranty calls. We have been harrassed as well. Even after hitting the option to remove our telephone number the calls still came. I have clipped this article and have in my computer room. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking to one of the companies and told them about yesterday's article. Needless to say they were shocked.
Chris Miles share how difficult it is to file a complaint with the FTC:
I read , with great interest, your last column on the junk phone calls.
For many months we have been getting calls from a company, that will not identify itself, offering to refinance our credit card debt. (The joke is on them, we carry no balances.)
If you listen to their recording, you have 2 options –Press 1 to connect with the person. This person will be very rude and demand your credit info and will not tell you the name of the company or how to contact them.
If you press 2 to be removed from their call-list you are immediately disconnected. My husband and I have tried this numerous times. They still keep calling, sometimes 3 times a week.
Now we are starting to get the calls about the auto warranties too. (The joke is still on them as all of our cars are from the 1990s and 1980s.)
I spent several hours one day calling Verizon (world’s WORST customer service and hold music too) and the FTC.
Verizon’s only suggestion was for us to subscribe to CallerID but my friend has that and gets the same calls and it appears as ‘unavailable’ so that would be no help to me. The FTC said that unless I know what company is calling, they cannot/will not do anything. I also believe that these companies are flagrantly flouting the do-not-call-list laws
Peter Bell of Monkton "hears" my pain and agrees about the FTC:
Never mind the warranty messages, how bout the "repair your credit" calls!?!
We have 3 lines, all of which were put on the do not call registry upon it's very first week of existence. While most seem to be respecting it, the warranty and credit scammers do not. What's more, if you "patiently" follow the automated directions to a human being, they're unapologetically rude to you and hang up!
Calls to any of the bureaucracies you indicated only result in either a bureaucrat wringing their hands on the other end, agreeing w/ how horrible and unfortunate it is or, in the case of the FCC, a bureaucrat who felt he had far more important issues to deal with and, alas, "they weren't really breaking the law and there's not much to be done about it."
I "hear" your pain!
William Sheldon immediately placed his cell number on the Do Not Call Registry, but of course, that's no guarantee that the calls won't continue since we've already determined that by sending automated telemarketing calls to your cell phone, these companies are already breaking the law. Said William:
Your column in the 13 Jul Sun came at a welcome time. I suspected that I was not the only one who is being harassed by these robo-dialed calls and this confirmed my suspicions. My experience has hit all the points that your column mentioned, to include attempting to get to the tel # that shows up on the cell phone. This reminded me to do something I have been putting off for some time which is to list my cell phone on the National Do Not Call List--now done. There is a very good article on the extended auto warranty business in one of the recent Consumer Report issues. It is worth reading for everybody.
Sean Dakin, founder and CEO of National Political Do Not Contact Registry, a non-partisan, non-profit program by Citizens for Civil Discourse, wants to remind everyone that you "can punch in the number (if available) of these firms and at least register your complaint as well" on callercomplaints.com.
Stay tuned for some interesting news about who else is extremely annoyed by these auto warranty calls.
UPDATED, May 2009: The Federal Trade Commission has sued two Missouri companies responsible for extended auto warranty robo-calls.
Categories: Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Complaints, Consumer protection, Marketing/Advertising, Naughty businesses/NBotW, Warranties





Comments
This number called me on 7/25. In the past two weeks I have received calls from at least 6 numbers. They call, not recognizing the number I do not pick up, they do not leave a message, I make note of the number, then search it on Google leading me to sites as these. All have mentioned "auto warranty" in connection with each of these numbers.
Here are the related numbers, some numbers called back to back in the same day, dates indicate below indicate the date the number last called:
509-779-4543 (7/25)
310-599-9115 (7/24)
866-788-9833 (7/23)
626-207-9170 (7/23)
571-261-0103 (7/13)
319-758-7205 (7/14)
began receiving calls after sending resumes through career Builder. Btw, I do not own a car!
Posted by: NA | July 25, 2008 3:40 PM
Same thing here, "auto warranty" company. Always hangs up on me when I ask who they are. Benn calling for over 3 months, about every 3-4days. It's frustrating that it continues.
Last call was at 12:11p. 07/26/2008
Caller ID: 5097794543
Caller: auto warranty
Updated info here... Fight back!
The likely company involved in this marketing...
National Auto Warranty Services
"Dealer services"
100 Mall Parkway
Wentzville, MO 63385
http://oneautowarranty.com
800.649.1856 (looks like they have changed this number to...)
866.416.4017
Supporting websites that talk about this scam:
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/consuminginterests/blog/2008/07/verizon_hates_annoying_auto_wa.html
http://blog.joelevi.com/post/2008/04/OneAutoWarranty-aka-Dealer-Services.aspx
A funny way that this guy vented when they called him:
http://www.vimeo.com/853927
FTC's website to file a complaint:
http://www.ftc.gov/
Posted by: Mobile Phone User | July 26, 2008 2:34 PM
Alot of people are confusing Dealer Services or National Auto Warranty Services in Wentzville, MO with other companies. They do NOT dial outbound to their customers. The best way to figure out who is calling you is to do something like this:
1. Answer the call and play along, act interested.
2. The first person you talk to is likely just screening calls, so agree to speak with a specialist or sales person
3. Go through the sales pitch and tell them you need to call them back with your credit card
4. Get the callback number and post it here, I'll check back over the next few days. I can check as to who the phone number belongs to and verify it with the utility company.
DD: Jim, please keep us posted. I haven't had another call since I wrote about it so I haven't had a chance to get to a real person. Can't wait to hear what you find out.
Posted by: Jim Vandiver | July 30, 2008 4:14 PM
Will do, I'll keep checking back periodically.
Posted by: Jim Vandiver | July 30, 2008 4:42 PM
If no one posts a number then I won't be able to check it. If anyone who reads this is getting telemarketing calls for a warranty please get the number and post it here.
Posted by: Jim Vandiver | July 31, 2008 11:37 AM
Anne the robot just called from 909-759-9101 about my auto warranty. She told me it was myfinal courtesy call as I should have received a letter in the mail...Yikes.
Posted by: painintherear | August 5, 2008 12:54 PM
I got a call today, sent me over the egde!! Every time these warranty co's call, they say THIS IS YOUR SECOND AND FINAL NOTICE THAT YOUR FACTORY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE... I only pray it is the LAST!!! It never is though.. they call 3x a week easy.. Im def all for a stop to this..
number called from was:
1-303-615-9102
On top of that, I asked to be truely removed from the list.. She said she wouldnt do it and to have a nice day, then hung up!! How rude!!
Posted by: eric | August 6, 2008 3:11 PM
856-603-9988 and 323-581-3046 are both showing up on my cell phone with this same auto warranty message. My office line has also been called, but I've not been able to get the number yet.
Posted by: ashley | August 14, 2008 9:12 PM
I keep getting these obnoxious calls at least 4 times a week, THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING THAT YOUR VEHICLE FACTORY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE!!!
I DON'T EVEN OWN A FREAKIN CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Thomas | August 16, 2008 1:59 PM
I've received a call from these people everyday, 2-3 times a day for the last three months. I finally told the person who answered that I wanted to be taken off their list. Today they called four times, back to back!
It doesn't seem to matter to them that I am not interested. They call anyway.
Posted by: Keke | August 26, 2008 9:07 PM
They called for the sixth time tonight. I got the number: 781-569-1000, and the company is supposedly Warranty Services.
Posted by: Keke | August 26, 2008 9:49 PM
here's another one for your list
620-585-0104
I tried calling them back, and it will not accept incoming calls.
It's sad that some people view this as a way to make a living!
Posted by: chad | August 27, 2008 4:33 PM
Call to my cell phone. Selling extended auto warranty services. Robo call - press 1 to speak to customer service, press 2 to be removed. Customer service stated that the call was on behalf of "General Warranty Services" and stated that business office phone number was 781-569-1000. I regularly get these calls on my land line in spite of registration of the number on the "do not call list". Now they are hitting the cell phones too! Why doesn't someone in the FTC or FCC find these people and charge them? Apparently recruiting telemarketers at various sites out of a Woburn MA office: See Sept 2 posting on bostoncraigs list: http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/sls/824357580.html. "No Experience necessary with paid training! Fantastic sales opportunity with plenty of leads. Guaranteed salary plus commission with attainable bonus structure. Earnings from $350-$800 per week. Call Mr. Sanders in Woburn office 781-569-1000" Also on myspace and itemlive: "Telemarketing Telephone Closers Woburn, MA 50K-100K Full Time and Part time evenings Contact Mr. Anderson 781-569-1000. Aug 18, 2008"
Posted by: John | September 4, 2008 2:36 PM
I am getting the calls too. No need to repeat what everyone has already said, just wanted to post the number I got it from. It was the auto warranty call and it came from: 434-324-7970. I tried getting someone, and finally did, when asked why I was getting these calls, I was told have a nice day and she hung up. I tried calling back but apparently number doesn't take incoming calls.
Posted by: Chris | September 5, 2008 3:19 PM
It amazes me that they continue to call people that are not interested. I guess the long distance part of the call doesn't bother them.
What really enabled these creeps is the robo-call machine. The one that randomly dials phone numbers. They should be illegal.
Anyway, there should be a way for us to trace these jerks. When they call, their callerid is often fake. We should be able to report these to the phone company.
Would it be nice if you could press *NUKEM on your phonepad when you get these calls?
A politician could really make a name for him/herself if they went after these morons!
Posted by: iHateTelemarketerJerks | September 17, 2008 11:53 PM
I've been pressing 1 to get connected to a sales representative, then I ask them which car warranty is about to expire. The recording says that my car warranty is about to expire, so they should be able to tell me which car. They hang up every time. I wonder why? One person told me they would me remove me from the list, but I won't hold my breath on that one. I'll just keep tying them up on the phone as long as possible. Maybe then they will remove my name from the list. Maybe I could even give them an expired credit card number, or is that fraud on my part? I'll never tell them the actual make an d model of the car that I do own.
If they continue to waste my time, then I will do what I can to waste theirs.
DD: Rob, I like the way you think. heheheh.
Posted by: Rob | October 1, 2008 11:44 AM
It's an attempt at Identity theft/ privacy invasion.
There is no car warranty..
There is no free alarm system.
They are just trying to get a name / address for "unlisted "
cell phone and PBX numbers.. Seems to be a profitable market to
provide reverse unlisted lookup.
If you want to keep your number unlisted don't tell them anything..
Obviously not your name or address.
Even giving them your car registration or VIN is sufficient for them
to cross it to your name, via public data.
These private dick heads seem to be doing it with a different spoofed
caller id number every day.
Posted by: stu | October 3, 2008 6:38 PM
Sorry it's long but it's worth reading, I got solutions!
I have been getting these calls (for the car warrenty) at home for about a year just like everyone else sometimes several times a day. I put our phone number on the do not call registry which didn't work and now they are calling my cell phone. I just got a call at work and that sent me over the edge. I dialed 1 to talk talk to somebody. When the person came on the line, I could hear the background noise and it totally sounded like a call center. I asked the guy what business this was and he couldn't answer me and hung up. I Googled and found this article which has fired me up even more. I noticed that the phone number that "Keke" posted on August 26, 2008 9:07 PM received a call from was the same as the phone number for the employment contact, Mr. Anderson, in "Chad's" post on August 27, 2008 4:33 PM. So I called. A young woman answered "Warrenty Services". I asked her why when I get the phone call telling me that my car warrenty is about to expire and I press 1 to talk to somebody and I ask which warrenty is about to expire, why the person is not able to tell me. She said she didn't know and she got very flustered. I asked to speak to her supervisor and she said I couldn't because they were all in a meeting but that she would talk my name and number and they would call me back. I told her "no" I wanted to be transfered to a voice mail. The extension of the voice mail she sent me to is 1226.
I just called again and asked to speak to Mr. Anderson. She would not transfer me to him with out me telling her my name and why I was calling. I asked her if she knew that it was illegal to call #s on the do not call registry and to send automated calls. She said she didn't know that and she put me on hold. Rick Peters the General Manager came on the line and I asked him all the same questions I had already asked the receptionist. He got very upset and tried to say that it probably wasn't his company that called me and that there are several other warrenty companies making phone calls. He said he would put my #s on the do not call list. I said I wasn't sure it would do any good sense I've already done that, aside from being on the national list. So he took my home, cell and work #s and then said he would take it a step further and put them on the list at the agency in California that all the other warrenty companies get their phone lists from.
So call 781-569-1000, until they change their #, and ask to speak to Rick Peters the General Manager. Tell him you want your #s taken off of the list at the office in California that gives phone numbers to all the warrenty companies.
Hopefully this works!
DD: Gwenavere, if this really works, you'll be our blog hero.
Posted by: Gwenavere | October 7, 2008 2:11 PM
the phone number that continually calls our work # is 323-429-7523 for the factory warranty. I have been hung up on 3 times when I've talked to someone about being removed.
DD: deanna6909, I'd try reporting that number to the FTC. These warranty calls have gotten way out of hand.
Posted by: irritated | October 21, 2008 5:21 PM
We got at call this AM. The number was 052-218-1197. When we asked to be taken off the call list the guy said how about I call you everday at 4 AM. The person refused to transfer us to a supervisor.
DD: J, I hope you report this to the FTC. Someone's got to do something about these rogue warranty companies.
Posted by: J | October 25, 2008 3:27 PM
I get these a lot too, today's call was from 1-302-224-0589
Posted by: jjh | November 5, 2008 3:23 PM
302-224-0589
208-875-1597
a different number calls my cell everyday..
Perhaps we should drive the phone companies to do something about it. if we refuse to pay the pick up charge for these calls perhaps they might lobby to have robo calls made illegal!!
DD: Mark, not sure if this will help but you should call your cell phone provider and complain. If enough customers complain, they'll have to do something about it. Verizon is going after some of these companies. All cell phone companies should, too, since we end up paying for those calls.
Posted by: Mark | November 6, 2008 11:00 AM
I have an idea...
Tell them that your number will change because you moved, and give this number.
Federal Trade Commission (202) 326-2222
If they get enough people replying exactly the same way, they will get an idea.
DD: Dirty Photographer, I like the way you think.
Posted by: Dirty Photographer | November 19, 2008 5:08 PM
I got a call on my cell phone today from this number 773-549-3987. i also got a call on my job today from 973-2320376. The calls are getting very annoying!!~
Posted by: Victoria M. | December 19, 2008 4:16 PM
773-549-3987 is really sucks, it calls me several time this month for selling security service...........and I call back it said this number is no longer in service........^$#(&_
Posted by: Kevin Lin | December 29, 2008 12:19 PM
714 682 8326 has called me today.
Wish they would stop calling, I have a 90's truck with 180k miles.
Posted by: keith | January 13, 2009 4:57 PM
Auto warranty
561-784-9844
Posted by: Seth | January 20, 2009 5:36 PM
I work for a warranty company that DOSE NOT make outbound calls and I understand everyone’s frustration. I get a lot of calls per day asking for us to stop calling them from people who don't understand its not us calling we are trying to get the numbers and put together a class action suet directed toward the companies using autodials. Please don’t bash all warranty companies the legit ones are only there to help people. Not every one can afford a $2-5k repair out of pocket but they can afford $20 per month for 18 months to be protected. Any way we need to KILL THE AUTODILER!!! The rules for Autodials are 1) They must come up on caller ID with full number and company name 2) They must have a WORKING option to remove your number. If you are getting calls that are not following the rules please report them companies like this are giving us a bad name!
If anyone has a question please Email me at JHay6481@gmail.com
Posted by: James Hay | January 30, 2009 12:08 PM
We received a call 2/2/09 on a line that is no longer in use. the number that showed up on the caller ID: 866-490-3954. These calls have to stop. Besides all but about 4 people in this Law Firm have a car. But they wouldn't use the office number. So these companies are in violation. I agree that the FCC doesn't seem to work. These warranty and credit calls are ridiculous they need to stop!
Posted by: Receptionist | February 3, 2009 1:38 PM
I've been getting these calls for several months. It was just the home phone at first but now they are calling all three of our family cell phones as well.
Initially I was just hanging up but yesterday, I pressed '2' for the calls to stop and they called right back this morning. So I spoke to the girl. See eric's august 6th post -- same thing except she said my number would be removed. Ha.
I'm in Toronto (ON, Canada).
Posted by: gh | February 4, 2009 9:26 AM
When you get a phone number that takes you to one of these scam artists create a posting on Craigslist in the Erotic section -- something along the lines "for a good time call....." This way you get perverts and scammers at the same time.
Bill, I hope I never get on your bad side! --- lfk.
Posted by: Bill | March 4, 2009 2:02 PM
i get these warranty calls 2-3 times aweek.
i always have fun with them, by answering thier questions and playing along i'm wasting their time. i keep asking them to repeat what they said, telling them it's a bad connection or they're very low.
they waste their time and i laugh.
In these dire economic times, busted, we need to get our jollies where we can. As long as you're not rude ... -- lfk
Posted by: busttheirb*lls | March 6, 2009 6:19 AM
I have been receiving these calls about once every two weeks. On my cell phone! It is the same automated message that "my warranty on my automobile is about to expire" and that "this is the last call you will receive". I just ignored them until today. I don't own a car, and the last car I purchased was in 1995. Today I pressed "1" and got a guy on the phone and asked him what company he represents. He said "Warranty Services". I asked "warranty services for whom?" and demanded to speak with his manager. He hung up on me.
I think these calls are coming from home based telemarketing farms, hence the different phone number every time they call. Have you ever seen those signs, "Work from home and make $500 a week!". I bet these fools are recruited in such a way. They work for a week, make no money and give up. I registered my number on the national do not call website. Hopefully that will end these annoying calls. Someone needs to get the FTC to investigate this ridiculous scam!
- Patrick
Posted by: Patrick | March 6, 2009 5:29 PM
We do not have caller ID. We receive several calls a week and always hang up. Thie time I pressed 2 to speak to someone about the car warrenty expiration. When he answered I asked for his name and the name of the company calling, He said his name was John. Would not give company name. I asked to be taken off list and he said "Ma'am, you are not listening to me me. He became abusive and threatened me with a civil action. He obviously intended to intimidate me and it felt like a verbal attack. I guess it worked because I was speechless. How do we stop these calls?
Posted by: Lynne | March 20, 2009 12:54 PM
HELP ME!!! I have been harrassed by these auto warrenty people all day every Saturday and Sunday and from 8:30 pm until 10:00 pm. They hang up on you and won't give you a name. I will take time to call them back or pursue this with a lawyer, I just need some info to get going. Who is this auto warrenty service, or extended auto warrenty or general warrenty? The people who work at these places have to know they are harrassing and breaking the do not call law! This is horrible! They wake my daughter up often! Can anyone help me?
Posted by: Marc | March 26, 2009 9:08 PM
Here is another number. I asked to speak to the manager and the guy hung up.
571-431-1262
I get these calls "this is the last warning. Your warranty is expired." about 5 times a week. I am so sick of it.
Posted by: Noelle | March 28, 2009 1:29 PM
I just got a call from the number 800-749-3353 about the 2nd and final warrenty notice of vehicle expiration.
Posted by: Rachel | April 1, 2009 1:21 PM
Now in Spanish! Several people in our office have been getting the auto warranty calls "en espanol" for the past few days.
The most recent round today came from 508-993-6098. When I pressed 1 to speak to someone and asked the woman who answered if she spoke english, she hung up on me. Surprise surprise...
Posted by: CB | April 6, 2009 5:27 PM
I've been getting these calls for several months,...If you try and finally speak to someone they always hang up on you. Comes on my cell and home phone....
910 464-5079
Posted by: Tracy | April 10, 2009 9:21 AM
I was receiving these calls for a long time on my work phone. I initially just hung up or tried to tell them to put me on the DNC list. About 2 weeks ago I played along and pressed one to speak to an operator. When the operator came on, I told her, "I am not sure how my warranty is about to expire, I drive a 2009 car." She said she would take my name off the list and no calls since.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 15, 2009 3:16 AM
i've tried to tell them quite a few times that my truck is still under warranty, doesn't work. i've asked them if they would cover my "starting to go out transmission" they said sorry we only deal with vehicles in perfect condition, i said good then take me off the list, still didn't work. i can talk to someone everytime but as soon as i start to bitch about it they hang up. i literally get 3-4 calls a day from these people. i'm at the point now where i want to start looking into legal action for harassment. not only are these people running up my phone bill but also disrupting me at all hours of the day. anyone think i have a leg to stand on here to get some restitution?
Posted by: kyle | April 27, 2009 2:12 PM
ok so we all know what they do. the bottom line is how do we stop them. are you telling me that these people can violate us by basically harrassing us with phone calls and we cant do anything about it..... thats total BULL
Posted by: jay | April 28, 2009 8:00 PM
I keep getting a call form this number 702 520 9120 and got all my friends to call them and ask for their credit info. it got them to stop calling me so if you get a call return the favor and spread their numbers online!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 12, 2009 12:17 PM
According to this website, they have identified one of the people making the robo calls. His name is Christian Westbrook. This blog gives his contact information if you’d like to discuss the issue with him.
http://claycord.blogspot.com/2009/05/auto-warranty-calls-coming-from-concord.html
Posted by: Barry | May 19, 2009 10:09 PM