Several government agencies recently alerted consumers about a surge of suspicious phone calls and mailers being sent about home warranties. Beware of these deceptive mortgage communications.

These calls and mailers often warn consumers that their “home warranty may be expiring or may have already expired,” and ask for payment or for you to contact them.

This is spam and does not warrant further action. Some letters may even include our name, Wolf River Community Bank, to make the solicitation appear more legitimate. Do not be fooled by their knowledge of this information; the name of your mortgage lender is public record.

Wolf River Community Bank will never call you or send you anything of this nature. Please always read the fine print to confirm that these mailers are not affiliated with your mortgage lender.

Look for these red flags:

• Use of threatening language or unnecessary urgency. For example, “final notice,” “immediate response requested,” or “we reserve the right to revoke your eligibility for service coverage after 5 days.”
• It appears to be from a government entity but does not include specific details. For example, “home warranty division” or “lender services.”
• Information that does not match your circumstances. For example, stating “your home warranty may be expiring,” when you do not have a home warranty.
• There is no return address and the only contact information given is a phone number. You may also receive a fake check with the mailer.

How to prevent these spam calls and mailings

When your credit report is pulled for a mortgage application, unfortunately spam will follow. You can prevent this type of spam by opting out before you apply.

How to Opt Out:

Thankfully the major credit bureaus provide a way to opt out of this unsolicited communication.

To opt out for five years or permanently: Complete the form online at www.optoutprescreen.com OR call: 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).

Be prepared that you’ll be asked to provide personal information, including your name, address, social security number, and date of birth. The information you give is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out.

What to do if you’ve already received deceptive mortgage communications

The safest course of action to keep yourself protected is to NOT respond. Do not return these phone calls or call the phone numbers listed on these mailers. The person on the other end is likely seeking your personal information.

They try to pressure you into handing over your money or private information before you get a chance to question the request’s legitimacy. No honest agency or business will demand immediate payment. If you have any questions or concerns about these types of communication, please contact Wolf River Community Bank directly at (920) 779-7000.

Contact Government Resources

Contact one of these government agencies if you would like to report the sender or if you have further questions:

• Contact the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance with questions or to report issues regarding disputes over an extended warranty plan or service contract at oci.wi.gov/complaints or (608) 266-0103.
• Contact the Department of Financial Institutions’ Division of Corporate & Consumer Services with questions regarding business registrations and filings via email at DFICorporations@dfi.wisconsin.gov or call (608) 261-7577.
• For more information on current scams, consumer laws and publications, and how to file a complaint, contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at (800) 422-7128 or by email at DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.

Your financial well-being is our top priority. If you have any questions or concerns about anything regarding your mortgage, please contact us.