Scam Type
Online Purchase Scam
Date Reported
2023-03-07 00:00:00
Victim Postal Code
None
Total Dollars Lost
1464
Scam Description
My 86 yr. old aunt was contacted by Sparta Auto in March of 2022 just after she purchased her leased Ford Fusion. The 3 year old car had 2900 miles on it and she declined an extended warranty from Ford. She subsequently got a call from Capital Management (a company Sparta Auto manages payment plans for) just after the purchase during which she got talked into an extended warranty for the car in the amount of $128.50/month. Billing began April 2022 and stopped January 20 when I discovered the recurrent charge and what it was for. At that time, she had 3009 miles on the car. I called Sparta Auto and cancelled the warranty. Of course, there was no refund of monies. On January 26, another company whose billings/payments are managed by Sparta Auto (Protection Direct 1-800-986-3608), called my aunt and talked her into another extended warranty on her car. Again the payment was made from a checking account debit and she paid her first payment on 2/6/23 for $179.05. I noticed it immediately and called Sparta Auto. They confirmed the above information. They also had notes that I was her niece (POA), and we had just cancelled the first policy because of the low mileage on the car. They have a full accounting of all the transactions. I had to call Protection Direct, send them my POA, and a letter advising we do not want an extended warranty on the car (now mileage is 3114).
I requested Sparta Auto mark my aunt’s account indicating she does not want another extended warrancy policy. They said they cannot do that. So I’ve put notes near my aunt’s phone, warned her about mailings, etc.
It sure seems like a gerbil wheel scam to me. The minute we cancel the policy, she’s getting another call from one of Sparta Auto’s subsidiaries. Of course, no monies get refunded. So even if they get one payment out of her, it’s better than nothing (she’s paid $1464.05 total for a car with just over 3000 miles on it).
Not sure if the BBB can do anything about this but I thought I should tell my aunt’s sad story. Such a shame that these businesses take advantage of the elderly.
