Is an extended car warranty call a scam?
Unsolicited calls about your car's warranty — especially claiming it has 'expired' or is 'about to expire' — are very frequently scams.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Extended warranty robocalls and live calls are among the most common unsolicited phone scams. They typically claim your vehicle warranty has expired or is about to, and pressure you into purchasing extended coverage immediately. The 'plan' sold may be nearly worthless — full of exclusions, backed by a company with no intention of honouring claims, or simply a pretext to obtain your card details.
Some callers will ask you to confirm your vehicle make, model, or VIN to 'look up your file', and then use those details to appear more credible. A genuine warranty renewal would come from your vehicle manufacturer or dealership, not from an unsolicited call.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming your warranty is expiring urgently
- Pressure to pay by card or bank transfer immediately on the call
- Caller cannot clearly name the company or provide verifiable details
- Request for your VIN, personal details, or card number during the call
- Plan with very low monthly cost and implausible coverage promises
- Threats that your protection will lapse if you hang up
What to do now
- Hang up — do not provide card or personal details
- Do not call back numbers left in voicemails
- Register with your national telephone preference / do-not-call service
- Report the call to your telecommunications regulator and fraud service
- If you already paid, contact your bank and report the transaction
Frequently asked questions
How do they know I own a car?
Most do not — these calls go out to millions of numbers without any prior knowledge of who owns a vehicle. If you seem to have one, they adjust the pitch.
Is there such a thing as a legitimate extended warranty?
Legitimate extended warranties exist and are sold by manufacturers, dealerships, and some insurers through established channels. They are not sold through unsolicited robocalls.