mmarshall

Are any of you getting zip-sealed documents in the mail, printed black-on-white, from a so-called "Vehicle Administration Center" with a 1-800-335-1522 or similar call-back number? It will have a letter/number code on it, your car, coverage-limit data, and be printed more or less to look like (or resemble) a recall-notice from the manufacturer. If you tossed the last one out (which you should have done) the second one may be labelled "2nd Attempt" (they don't always get the message the first time. It will try to convince you that your car's factory warranty-coverage is running out (even though my own bumper-to-bumper coverage is good for 2 more years,and my powertrain 4 more years) and that you have to call them up for continued coverage....in effect, wasting your money for nothing.

I was going to turn these scammers in myself, though, upon some checking, I see that's already been done to some extent. But it may not have completely stopped the practice.

http://www.complaintslist.com/warran...ration-center/

http://www.bbb.org/acadiana/news-eve...ration-center/

It may look like this or similar, or have a different 1-800 number.







This is a scam, friends.....don't fall for it.

FrankReynoldsCPA

There's also one from EWS that I've been getting several times in the last few months. I called and cussed out the guy who answered the phone.

I'm guessing our dealers are selling our information?

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

I've gotten a few of these. I had no idea they were scams. I've been throwing them all away without reading them.

mmarshall

Thanks for letting us know.

While I can indeed understand your frustration and anger (I felt some of it self) I wouldn't make a habit of that. If they have caller ID, they might be able to trace your call....and take retribution if possible. And, even if we are in fact dealing with crooks (which we probably are), it's still illegal to use a phone to make curses or threats....that's considered harassment.

I doubt it. Lots of people (myself included) get this crap in the mail long before the factory warranty runs out. During the factory warranty period, dealers get any warranty repairs they make reimbursed to them from the factory, not these clowns. They usually have no incentive for third-parties to get involved.

mmarshall

Good. I'd shred them if you have a machine for that.

Whitigir

How do they get our info ? I got them too on my wife 13 RX...wth...and I have moved in my house for only 9 months....someone is selling our info. The dealer, or the BMV

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

These guys called me yesterday. I was eating lunch so I thought I'd play with them a while and waste their time.

When the original call operator finally qualified my LS as having "more than 110,000 miles" he sent me up to his manager for the hard sell.

The manager tried to convince me that their center was responsible for all the Lexus aftermarket warranties serviced by Lexus Corp. I asked him a lot of questions and he told me a lot of lies.

When I was done with lunch I started to call him out on the lies he got defensive and asked then why did you speak with me? Told him you called me, I didn't ask for this solicitation. They'd called me the previous week and told them I wasn't interested then either, why didn't you listen. Better remove me or I'll take up even more of your time next time Hung up on me

mmarshall

Given the seedy nature of their business, these people are probably hacking into (or somehow illegally gaining access) to things like DMV and auto-manufacturer records. I doubt that dealers are willingly giving (or selling) them data.

mmarshall

Great story. Did you tell him you manage the largest Lexus forum on the Internet, including one of the largest car-chat forums? I would have liked to have seen the look on his face when he heard that.

96SC4

iTrader: (2)

I've been getting those too!!

LexusNN

iTrader: (5)

DMV sells them the lists, not the dealerships

mmarshall

....and that's legal? DMV files are supposed to be for law enforcement and/or property taxes, not insurance-scammers.

Nospinzone

Did you read the warning about a $2000 fine and five years imprisonment, or BOTH? And you threw it out?! You are in serious trouble my friend!

mmarshall

That's actually part of the scam. They try and make it look like an important official document sent from the government or auto manufacturer, such as for a safety-recall.....something that there really WOULD be a fine or penalty for interfering with.

Goffinluvr

Everything about the presentation of these useless mailing screams "SCAM!"
I've gotten them for vehicles long since sold - just toss 'em into the shredder and recycle!