$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
appliance warranty extension scam
Scammers call or email homeowners claiming their appliance warranties are expiring and offering costly extended coverage that provides little to no actual protection.
“extended warranty scam”
↑ 284%Key indicators
Usually targetsHomeowners
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers obtain appliance purchase data from data brokers or warranty registration databases and call homeowners
2
They claim the manufacturer warranty is expiring and offer an extended service plan at a premium price
3
The contract, if received at all, contains extensive exclusions that make it nearly impossible to file a successful claim
What to do first
Verify your actual warranty status by contacting the appliance manufacturer directly using the number in your owner manual
Related terms
home appliance warranty scamfake appliance coverageappliance service plan fraudWarranty scamsPhoneRisingHomeownersConsumersOlder adultsTech workers and developersReal estate professionals and homebuyersRetirees and seniorsUnited StatesUnited Kingdomhome appliance warranty scamfake appliance coverage
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Fatima, 42, a homeowners, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate warranty scams situation while using Phone. Scammers obtain appliance purchase data from data brokers or warranty registration databases and call homeowners
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They claim the manufacturer warranty is expiring and offer an extended service plan at a premium price
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The contract, if received at all, contains extensive exclusions that make it nearly impossible to file a successful claim
The outcome
Fatima realized something was wrong when caller claims to represent the appliance manufacturer but cannot verify your purchase date or model number. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify your actual warranty status by contacting the appliance manufacturer directly using the number in your owner manual Fatima's experience shows why caller claims to represent the appliance manufacturer but cannot verify your purchase date or model number and coverage details are vague and the caller avoids sending written terms before payment are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Caller claims to represent the appliance manufacturer but cannot verify your purchase date or model number
- Coverage details are vague and the caller avoids sending written terms before payment
- Company is not listed on the appliance manufacturer website as an authorized service provider
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify your actual warranty status by contacting the appliance manufacturer directly using the number in your owner manual
- ✓Read all contract terms carefully before signing and compare coverage with the manufacturer own extended warranty options
- ✓Report the company to the BBB and your state attorney general if you believe the coverage was misrepresented
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The BBB Scam Tracker reports home service and warranty scams among the most common categories targeting homeowners, with median losses around 200 USD
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Verify your actual warranty status by contacting the appliance manufacturer directly using the number in your owner manual
- ✓Read all contract terms carefully before signing and compare coverage with the manufacturer own extended warranty options
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The BBB Scam Tracker reports home service and warranty scams among the most common categories targeting homeowners, with median losses around 200 USD
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Homeowners, Consumers, Older adults
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom
Primary channel
Phone — Warranty scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Homeowners are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The BBB Scam Tracker reports home service and warranty scams among the most common categories targeting homeowners, with median losses around 200 USD
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about appliance warranty extension scam
How does the appliance warranty extension scam work?+
Scammers obtain appliance purchase data from data brokers or warranty registration databases and call homeowners They claim the manufacturer warranty is expiring and offer an extended service plan at a premium price The contract, if received at all, contains extensive exclusions that make it nearly impossible to file a successful claim
What are the warning signs of appliance warranty extension scam?+
Caller claims to represent the appliance manufacturer but cannot verify your purchase date or model number Coverage details are vague and the caller avoids sending written terms before payment Company is not listed on the appliance manufacturer website as an authorized service provider
What should I do if I encounter appliance warranty extension scam?+
Verify your actual warranty status by contacting the appliance manufacturer directly using the number in your owner manual Read all contract terms carefully before signing and compare coverage with the manufacturer own extended warranty options Report the company to the BBB and your state attorney general if you believe the coverage was misrepresented
Who is most at risk for appliance warranty extension scam?+
This scam primarily targets Homeowners, Consumers, Older adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom and typically appears on Phone.
Is appliance warranty extension scam on the rise?+
appliance warranty extension scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.