# Are the "car extended warranty" calls illegal, and if so, why isn't the govt doing anything about them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 1, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997 "2021-02-01T15:46:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/23 "2021-03-11T19:54:21Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I pressed the number to talk to the rep the other day. They asked for the make, model and year of my car. I told them that it was a 1959 Renault Dauphine. They hung up. Did they stop calling? If so, I might try reporting that it’s a 1958 Oliver 550. I actually have one of those (approximately, I don’t know the exact year.) It’s a tractor. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/24 "2021-03-12T17:36:35Z")
I frequently try to waste their time by saying I have more than one car, and ask which one they’re calling about. The standard response is “if you could just verify the make/model of your car…” so then I say again that I have more than one, so can they just tell me which one. After a few rounds they hang up. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/25 "2021-03-12T17:46:06Z")
I used that, too. Also when people call to say that my computer is infected with a virus. (“Which one? I have six of them.”) ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/26 "2021-03-12T21:18:16Z")
The best such conversation I had like that was when “Microsoft” called to tell me something about Windows. I started yelling at them to get out here and fix what they’d put in. They were drafty and leaking rain. I told them I wasn’t paying them a cent more … They tried to interrupt a few times, but I didn’t let them. I had my son and a friend, who were listening, laughing so hard before they hung up on me. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/27 "2021-03-12T21:48:22Z")
You have six viruses? Have you considered changing up your antivirus program? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/28 "2021-03-12T21:52:39Z")
No, you want as many as possible so they fight and cancel each other out. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/29 "2021-03-13T00:48:57Z")
He is trying to build up immunity. With enough infections his computers will be immune from all new viruses! 🙂 actually it might be true. After enough infections, the computer will simply stop working. And so be immune from further infection. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/30 "2021-03-13T01:15:52Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > The best such conversation I had like that was when “Microsoft” called to tell me something about Windows. I started yelling at them to get out here and fix what they’d put in. They were drafty and leaking rain. I told them I wasn’t paying them a cent more … They tried to interrupt a few times, but I didn’t let them. I had my son and a friend, who were listening, laughing so hard before they hung up on me. When they called me about this, they said they were from “Windows.” I asked, “Oh, do you work for Microsoft?” “No, we’re Windows.” “But Microsoft makes Windows, so you work for Microsoft.” “No, no. We are Windows, not Microsoft.” “Doesn’t Microsoft make Windows?” “Yes.” “So you work for Microsoft.” “No. I work for Windows.” It went on for several minutes. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/31 "2021-03-13T01:20:30Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > When they called me about this, they said they were from “Windows.” > I asked, “Oh, do you work for Microsoft?” - At least it wasn’t “Microsoft Department”. Or “Windows Department”. Or Google Department". Or Refund Department". Or Firewall Security Department". ETA: “Microsoft Department of Windows Company” which I’ve heard a couple of times(I watch a _lot_ of scambaiting videos). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/32 "2022-07-22T15:06:18Z")
Now the govt is doing something about them. > **[The FCC is cracking down on 'auto warranty' robocalls | CNN Business](https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/tech/fcc-robocall-crackdown/index.html)** > > US telecom providers will now be required to block millions of illegal robocalls a day advertising extended vehicle warranties, the Federal Communications Commission said Thursday, taking aim at a group of individuals accused of sending more than 8... ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/33 "2022-07-22T15:27:09Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > At least it wasn’t “Microsoft Department”. Or “Windows Department”. Or Google Department". Or Refund Department". Or Firewall Security Department". The funniest one like that are: "This is Visa and Mastercard Department. I notice that more recently they’ve added Discover and American Express. I also get a kick out of the car warranty is going to expire. We only have a 2003 whose warranty has long expired, but sometimes I’ll ask, “Oh which car.” Then stammer a bit then usually try to get a supervisor at which point I hang up. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/34 "2022-07-22T22:57:16Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > He is trying to build up immunity. With enough infections his computers will be immune from all new viruses! I remember reading somewhere about a guy who had a dedicated, unconnected computer for infecting with viruses. He let them fight for computer space and kept track of which ones were winning. I suspect it was from an article about viruses, but this late, I’m not sure if it was fiction or non-fiction. ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/35 "2022-07-22T23:18:40Z")
[A Laptop Infected With the World’s Most Dangerous Viruses Sold for $1.3 Million](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/laptop-infected-worlds-most-dangerous-viruses-sold-13-million-180972315/) ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/36 "2022-07-22T23:34:30Z")
Good. I suppose it’s too much to hope they’ll also do something about the endless texts soliciting political donations. I know they specifically exempted political calls from the Do Not Call list. Maybe they could at least axe the ones that purport to be from a specific person? I know that’s not really Nancy Pelosi texting me from 30 different numbers I’ve had to block one by one. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/37 "2022-07-23T00:06:30Z")
From the linked article > Thursday’s [order](https://www.fcc.gov/document/robocall-enforcement-order-all-us-based-voice-service-providers) by the FCC requires voice providers to stop carrying calls the agency has linked to 13 individuals and six companies, **mostly based in Texas and California** If they have identified people and companies in the U.S., why do we need the telecom providers to block them? Why haven’t they been closed and down and prosecuted? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/38 "2022-07-23T01:42:16Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Why haven’t they been closed and down and prosecuted? Because the FCC doesn’t have that jurisdiction? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/39 "2022-07-23T01:58:40Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Because the FCC doesn’t have that jurisdiction?.. Ok, but I wasnt asking why the FCC specifically had not shut them down and arrested them. A massive criminal conspiracy is taking place on U.S. soil, the FCC have the evidence, somebody must have the jurisdiction to act. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/40 "2022-07-23T02:42:37Z")
I could be wrong, but I doubt that the FCC has the power to arrest anyone. At most it would be civil actions, such as license revocations and/or fines. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/41 "2022-07-23T03:09:13Z")
Robocalling is a crime. How it’s possible that a crime can exist which nobody has any jurisdiction to enforce? Fine them $1000 per call, so billions of dollars. They ignore the fine, now what? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997/42 "2022-07-23T03:23:49Z")
If the Department of Justice is interesting in pursuing, the FCC will provide technical assistance. But first the DoJ has to take an interest, and then perform their investigation – which never goes quickly. Your bloodlust will have to wait to be sated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-car-extended-warranty-calls-illegal-and-if-so-why-isnt-the-govt-doing-anything-about-them/931997.md?page=3)