The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI), Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in Wisconsin have issued a joint warning to consumers regarding deceptive mailings related to home warranties.
Consumers are being targeted with mailers falsely claiming that their home warranties are expiring or have already expired, and demanding payment. These mailings are scams and should not be responded to. Some may even mention the consumer's mortgage company, but this information is publicly available.
Red flags to watch out for include threatening language, urgency, mailers appearing to be from government entities without specific details, misinformation about your circumstances, lack of a return address, and inclusion of a fake check.
Wisconsin authorities urge consumers not to respond to these mailings or call the provided phone numbers, as scammers may be seeking personal information.
It is advised to conduct research, rely on trusted resources, and exercise caution when dealing with unfamiliar communications. If in doubt, contact your lender directly to verify any mortgage or home warranty-related correspondence.
Consumers can report issues or seek assistance regarding warranty plans or service contracts to the OCI at oci.wi.gov/complaints or (608) 266-0103. For inquiries about business registrations and filings, contact the DFI's Division of Corporate & Consumer Services at DFICorporations@dfi.wisconsin.gov or (608) 261-7577. To obtain information on scams, consumer laws, or file complaints, reach out to DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.
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Categories: Wisconsin, Rural Lifestyle