Fake Extended Warranty and Product Insurance Scam on SMS
How text messages warning that a warranty is about to expire trick recipients into paying for worthless extended cover.
Part of: Fake Extended Warranty and Product Insurance Scam
Last reviewed: 13 July 2026
Fake extended warranty and product insurance scams increasingly arrive by SMS, with a short text claiming a vehicle, appliance, or electronics warranty is about to expire and urging the recipient to tap a link or call a number to renew. The message often has no relation to any product the recipient actually owns, but the vague wording — 'your vehicle's warranty' — is broad enough to seem plausible to many recipients.
SMS is used because it has a very high open rate, feels more personal and urgent than email, and the embedded link can lead directly to a payment page designed to capture card details within a minute or two of the recipient reading the text.
How this scam works on SMS
A text message states that a warranty is expiring soon and includes a link to 'renew now' or a phone number to call before coverage lapses. The linked page, or the phone agent, asks for a card payment and personal details, sometimes describing a vague 'extended protection plan' rather than naming a specific manufacturer or product.
Because the message is sent in bulk to phone numbers regardless of what the recipient actually owns, many people who don't even own a car or the appliance in question still receive the same warning, which is itself a giveaway. Those who do own a relevant product may be more easily convinced the message is real.
After payment, the 'warranty' is either never issued, is a worthless product unrelated to the manufacturer's actual coverage, or generates recurring charges the victim struggles to cancel — with no functioning customer service to contact when an actual repair is needed.
Common red flags
- You receive an unsolicited SMS claiming a warranty is about to expire
- The message doesn't specify a product you actually own, or is vague about which item is covered
- The text includes a link to a payment page rather than directing you to the manufacturer's official site
- You're pressured to act immediately to avoid losing coverage
- The sender number is a short code or unfamiliar number with no connection to any manufacturer you recognize
- The 'warranty' company can't be verified through the actual product manufacturer
How to protect yourself
- Never tap links in unsolicited warranty renewal texts — go directly to the manufacturer's official website or app instead
- Check your actual warranty status through the manufacturer or original retailer directly
- Delete and report SMS messages claiming a warranty is expiring without engaging with the link or number
- Never provide card details through a link received in an unsolicited text
- Use your phone's spam-filtering or message-blocking features for unknown senders
- Verify any product protection plan seller against the manufacturer before paying
How to report it
- Forward the spam text to 7726 (SPAM) if your carrier supports this reporting shortcode
- Report the message to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your country's equivalent
- Report to your national telecom regulator if the message came from a spoofed or unregistered number
- Report the company to the FTC or your state attorney general if you already paid
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my actual warranty status without using the text link?
Go directly to the manufacturer's official website or contact the retailer where you bought the product, using contact details you find independently, not anything included in the text message.
Why did I get a warranty text for a car I don't even own?
These messages are usually sent in bulk to large lists of phone numbers regardless of whether the recipient owns the product mentioned. Receiving one for something you don't own is itself a clear sign it's a scam.
Can I get a refund if I already paid through the SMS link?
Contact your card issuer to dispute the charge as soon as possible — recovery may depend on the payment method and timing, but reporting quickly generally improves the chances of a successful dispute.
Is it safe to reply 'STOP' to an unsolicited warranty text?
Replying can sometimes confirm to the sender that your number is active and monitored, potentially leading to more messages. It's usually safer to block the number and report it without replying at all.
Are all extended warranty offers by text a scam?
Not necessarily all, but unsolicited texts warning of imminent expiry with a link to pay immediately are a common scam pattern. Always verify independently through the manufacturer before acting on the text.