Quick Answer: Extended auto warranty mailers often use deceptive tactics like fake license numbers and misleading “transfer” language to confuse recipients into thinking they’re official communications. These mailers from Florida postal permits frequently offer suspicious financing deals and lack proper sender identification, making them potentially worthless policies targeting unsuspecting consumers.
I’ve had a sudden increase in extended auto warranty mailers hit my desk recently. I’m not sure if this means there is an increase in selling these often worthless policies to unsuspecting consumers or more people are sending them in.
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Florida License Number W076246
I have no idea who the sender of this offer is and I was unable to locate anything under the alleged Florida license number they give at the bottom.
Every weekday I read the enforcement actions, filings and fine print the outlets skip, and turn them into the one or two moves that actually improve your position — a rate worth moving for, a fee you can refuse, a deadline to beat before it costs you.
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This first mailer is interesting in that it is generic enough to possibly confuse recipients into thinking this is a transfer of their factory warranty into a “no fee payment plan.” Whatever that is.
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Postal Permit 2257
Here is a self mailer letter that was sent from postal permit 2257 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Notice the outside does not identify the name of the sender and it appears to be an official correspondence with a postal warning TTT.18 US Code.
The inside has the same basic format as the one shown above. But instead of offering a “no fee payment plan” this one offers a “minimum finance rate available: 0%.” It also says this is a transfer. Yet the calling hours are slightly different.
Postal Permit 509
This postcard came from a different sender to another person. Yet it has a very similar message on the front. This one says the sender is Vehicle Protection Sender and offer the telephone number 800-435-1130.
It is interesting the postcard also offers a financing deal as well, “Same as cash payment option available.”
But we also learn the card was sent by a marketing company, “Vehicle Protection Center is an independent nationwide company marketing vehicle service contracts on behalf of leading third party administrators.”
Bottom Line
There have been so many warnings issued over extended warranty packages that any such mailer should be investigated closely, including a review of the service protection agreement prior to enrolling.
Just on face value it would logically seem the offer would be inflated in cost so the independent marketing representatives could get their commission. Before paying for any third party vehicle service plan be sure to talk to your car manufacturer about any plan they may directly offer.
Checkout this story from Kiplinger about Extended-Warranty Warning.
This offer was able to be reviewed because a kind reader sent it in via my I Buy Junk Mail program.
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