AG Goddard Urges Caution on Extended Warranty Offers

Attorney General Terry Goddard is warning consumers to be skeptical of postcards mailed to Arizona residents indicating their car warranties are about to expire. These solicitations are sent predominantly to seniors, encouraging them to purchase an extended warranty.

The cards appear to be legitimate and have names similar to official organizations or government agencies. The notices are stamped with phrases such as “final notice” or “priority level: high” to create a false sense of urgency. When the consumer calls the phone number provided on the card, they are usually encouraged to purchase a high‑priced extended warranty for their vehicle. Callers are told they must make a down payment prior to receiving warranty information from the company.

The Attorney General’s Office was made aware of these postcards through the Seniors Strike Back program, which started in May. Hundreds of seniors across the state turned over their junk mail, which has been inspected for scams and fraudulent offers.

Goddard offers consumers the following advice:

1 - Ask yourself if this is true. Many of these offers are sent to consumers whose car warranties expired years ago.

2 - Always obtain warranty information in writing prior to signing up or sending any money.

3 - Be leery of companies that solicit by mail.

4 - Never give out personal identifying or financial information over the phone.

5 - Ask questions about the soliciting organization. A legitimate company will be happy to answer them.

6 - Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been filed against the company.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at 602‑542‑5763. To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General’s Office has 36 satellite offices throughout the State with volunteers available to help. Locations and hours of operation are posted on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.azag.gov. Consumers can also file complaints online through the Web site.