Description

I received a letter in the mail, no return address but a check-looking visual in the window of the envelope. The letter contained no business name but said it was a "FINAL NOTICE" from "Motor Vehicle Notification" and "Vehicle Service Division," and it stressed that it was time sensitive. The letter included accurate information about my name, address, and vehicle year/make/model. I Googled the phone number and the first thing that popped up was a BBB scam warning. So I called the phone number out of morbid curiosity. Southern-accented guy answers, says he is with US Automotive Protection Services, wants to help me get an extended warranty since my dealer warranty is expiring. I Google the company name, and it presents as real online (though the address is sketchy and a lot of the first non-ad results are warnings about scam). He took my confirmation number from the letter, then knew my name and asked a few details about the state of the car. He said he had to put me on hold and get my coverage approved by the approval department. After about 30 seconds, he picks up again and says I got approved for "diamond"-level coverage, but the offer would expire today, then asked for credit card information. I asked a few questions -- why the company name wasn't on the letter, where the company and he are based, what this coverage even is, etc., just poking holes in an obviously (to me) silly story. He got defensive and said they had 4,000 reviews online and most people call the number to get coverage. I told him I can't make any decisions today, I'll have to think about it. He stressed the offer expires today, so if I call back tomorrow, it's no good. I said I'm not going to do it today, but thank you.