Medium riskOnline Shopping

Extended Warranty Scam

Calls, robocalls, texts, or mailers claim your product or vehicle warranty is expiring and pressure you to buy an overpriced or worthless 'extended warranty', using urgency to collect card and personal details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Warranty robocall scam
Main red flag
An unexpected call or text claiming your warranty is about to expire and urging you to renew or pay right now.
What to do first
Do not give any details. Hang up or ignore the message and check your warranty directly with the manufacturer or dealer.

How this scam works

Calls, robocalls, texts, or mailers claim your product or vehicle warranty is expiring and pressure you to buy an overpriced or worthless 'extended warranty', using urgency to collect card and personal details.

Online shopping scams use fake stores, unbelievable deals, and counterfeit or never-delivered goods to take your money and card details. Fake sites often surface through ads and social media and pressure you with limited-time offers.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: An unexpected call or text claiming your warranty is about to expire and urging you to renew or pay right now. Do not give any details. Hang up or ignore the message and check your warranty directly with the manufacturer or dealer.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Fake Tech Support Scam and the Bank Impersonation Phone Scam. See the full Online Shopping Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • An unsolicited call, robocall, or text about a warranty you did not ask about
  • Vague references to 'your vehicle' or 'your product' without specific details
  • High-pressure language about a 'final notice' or expiring coverage
  • A request for card details, bank information, or personal data over the phone
  • Reluctance to send written terms or a company name you can verify

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'FINAL NOTICE: The warranty on your vehicle is about to expire. Press 1 now to speak to an agent and renew your coverage before it lapses.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: An unexpected call or text claiming your warranty is about to expire and urging you to renew or pay right now.

The scale of it

Top category
online shopping is one of the most-reported fraud categories to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in 2023, where many fake shops advertise
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Hang up or ignore the message rather than pressing any keys
  • Confirm your actual warranty with the manufacturer, dealer, or your paperwork
  • Search the caller's number and company name for known complaints
  • Register with any official call-blocking or do-not-call service available to you

Already responded? Do this now

  • If you gave card details, contact your bank to flag or freeze the card
  • If you paid, ask your bank or card provider whether the charge can be disputed
  • Keep any contract documents and request a written copy of what you bought
  • Watch for repeat calls, as paying can mark you as a responsive target

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not press buttons to 'opt out', which can confirm your number is active
  • Do not share card or bank details with an unsolicited caller
  • Do not let urgency rush you into an on-the-spot purchase

Related scams to know

High risk Email

Fake Tech Support Scam

This scam uses a pop-up, email, or phone call warning that your computer is infected or your account is compromised, urging you to call a number or allow remote access, after which the fake 'technician' charges fees, installs software, or takes your data.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Bank Impersonation Phone Scam

In this scam a caller pretends to be your bank's fraud team, claims your account is under attack, and pressures you to move money to a 'safe account', read out one-time codes, or grant remote access so they can steal your funds.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Email

Fake Subscription Renewal Email

This scam emails that a subscription is renewing for a large amount, hoping you call a fake support number or click a link to cancel and hand over details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

How do they know about my product or car?
Often they do not. These calls are sent in bulk with generic wording like 'your vehicle' so the message seems to fit many people. A specific-sounding claim does not mean they hold real records.
Are all extended warranties a scam?
No. Some genuine extended cover exists, but it is bought from the manufacturer or a known provider. Unsolicited high-pressure calls demanding immediate payment are a common scam pattern.
I pressed a key to be removed. What now?
Pressing keys can confirm your number is live and lead to more calls. Avoid engaging, block the number, and report it to your call-blocking service if you can.
I already paid for cover. Can I get my money back?
Contact your bank or card provider quickly to ask about disputing the charge, and request written terms. Acting early improves the chance of recovering the payment.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.