Auto Warranty Calls and Mailers: How to Tell a Real Offer From a Scam
Auto warranty calls and notices are some of the most complained-about offers in the country. Here is how to check one.
What regulators say
The Federal Trade Commission has warned that prerecorded auto warranty calls are illegal and likely scams. It advises hanging up without pressing any number, using a call-blocking tool, and reporting the call at donotcall.gov.
Red flags
- A recorded voice, or a caller who says your warranty is about to expire.
- A claim to be the manufacturer or your dealer, or to have your "file."
- A mailer styled like a government or dealer notice, or a deadline that pushes you to call now.
- A refusal to put the terms in writing before you pay.
How to verify any seller
- Do not call the number on a mailer. Look up your dealer or manufacturer yourself and ask whether the notice is real.
- Get the seller's name and the administrator's name and check both on their own websites.
- Ask for the sample contract before you pay and read the exclusions, claims steps and cancellation terms.
- Pay by a method you can dispute and keep every document.
Warranty or service contract?
A factory warranty comes with the vehicle. A service contract is sold separately, and both are sometimes called an "extended warranty" in ads. See service contract, insurance and warranty.
About similar names
Silver Creek Warranty is a trade name of Silver Creek Solutions LLC and is not affiliated with any other company that uses a similar name. Our websites are silvercreekwarranty.com, silvercreekhub.com and silvercreekhub.net. If you are unsure whether a call or mailer is from us, call (832) 803-7363 or email cs@silvercreekhub.com before you pay anything.
If you think you were targeted
Report it to the FTC, tell your state attorney general, and keep any letters, call details and contracts. If you already paid, contact your card issuer promptly.