See what’s new with
Auto Approve

 The economy is in a rough spot right now, which means many of us are behind on payments. Mortgage, rent, insurance, groceries, electric bills–it seems like we can never get a break or catch up. Car loan debt is at an all time high right now due to high car prices and high car loan interest rates. In fact 2 in every 13 Americans is paying over $1000 on their monthly car payment. It’s not hard to imagine these numbers getting the best of us and resulting in a missed car payment. But what exactly happens when we actually can’t afford to make our monthly car payment?Here’s what you should do if you can’t make your car payment.What happens if you miss a car payment? The exact consequences of missing a car payment will vary depending on your contract and your lender. But missing a car payment will definitely affect your credit score, which will have lasting implications for your financial future. A bad credit score can mean the following:You will have a harder time getting approved for loans and will have fewer options.You will have higher interest rates.You will have higher insurance premiums.You may have to pay a deposit for utilities.You may have a tougher time renting an apartment. A hit to your credit score can take years to recover from and could affect several areas of your life. It is unlikely that your car will be repossessed if you miss one car payment, but some companies will repossess your car if you miss two payments. Most companies will repossess your car by the third missed payment.  If your car is repossessed you may think that is the end of it, but the lender may actually come after you with legal action to incur any fees that you haven't paid. So not only will you be out of a car (and without the down payment and payments that you have already made), but you may owe the lender even more money, and your credit score will be seriously compromised. A repossession will show up on your credit report as well, which will be a major red flag for future lenders. All of this is to say: you do not want to miss a car loan payment if you can help it. The repercussions are long lasting and will take a long time to recover from. If you are struggling to make one payment, chances are you will struggle again. It’s better to be proactive and address your financial situation before you miss a payment and certainly before you miss several payments.How many days late can you be on a car payment? This varies from loan to loan but most lenders will give you a 10 or 15 day grace period if you miss a payment. As long as you pay your bill within a few days of the due date there will not be consequences. Some lenders will give a greater grace period on your first payment with a 60-day no payment option. This means that you will have 60 days after signing to make your first payment. This can be very helpful if you made a large down payment and could use a month to catch up. Your contract will list if you are responsible for any late fees. The amount will vary from lender to lender but will typically be between 2-5% of your monthly payment. Can you defer a car payment? How many times can you defer a car payment?This is another thing that will vary from lender to lender. Some lenders will allow you to defer once, while others may allow you to defer payments three or four times. The timespan of these deferrals may be per year or per the life of the car loan. Read your contract carefully to determine what the implications are.Can I make a partial payment on a car loan?You may think that if you make a partial payment it will help to mitigate the damage. While making a partial payment will apply towards your loan and reduce the amount you owe, if you do not make the payment in full it will still be marked as late. This means that it will still negatively impact your credit score and may put you in jeopardy of losing your car depending on how your car loan contract is worded.Should you defer a car payment? Deferring a car payment is a good option if you are starting to struggle financially but feel that a small break can help you catch up. There are several advantages to deferring a car payment:You can avoid late fees.You can avoid the risk of repossession.You can use the extra time to decide what to do to fix your financial situation. But deferring a car payment comes with some disadvantages as well. After all you will still be responsible for making the payment and for the interest accrued during that time. If money is truly tight, deferring the payment may just mean deferring the problem.What options do you have if you can't make your car payment? Talk to your lender.A great first step to take is to contact your lender directly. They may suggest deferment or they may be able to enroll you in a program to help you make your payments. If you have a good history of on time payments they may be more willing to work with you. Remember, your lender doesn’t want to repossess your car–that’s a lot of work on their end to recoup your payment. They ultimately want you to pay them, so they may be more willing to help you out than you may anticipate. When you talk to your lender you can also ask them if it's possible to change your payment date. If you get paid at the beginning of the month and your loan is due at the end of the month it may be harder for you to make your payments on time. But if your lender allows you to change your payment date it may set you up for more success. Refinance your loan.If your lender is not willing to work with you or you do not have a good relationship with them, you may want to refinance your car loan with a new lender. There are a lot of benefits to refinancing your car. You can not only secure a better car loan APR, but you can change your repayment terms which can give you a lot of extra breathing room every month. Lengthening your repayment period means that you will pay off your loan over a longer period of time. You will end up paying more money in the long run because you will pay interest for longer, but this will mean much lower payments every month. If you are in danger of missing payments, this might be your best option. Companies that specialize in auto refinancing can help you secure a refinance loan that will work for you and help you navigate the refinancing process. Get rid of your car.If you are struggling, ask yourself “do I really need a car?” Let’s face it: cars are expensive. Not only do you have car payments, but you have to pay for insurance, gas, maintenance, parking, tolls, registration, and more. If you live in an area that has public transportation or you have someone in your life who can help you get around, it might make more sense to get rid of your car altogether. This will alleviate a lot of stress in your life. Selling your car will also give you a little cash injection depending on how far along you are in your loan. Trade in your car.If you still need a car to get around, selling your car is probably not a great option. But you can trade your car in at the dealership to get a car that has more affordable payments. If you have the time and inclination you can sell your car privately and use the income to secure a less expensive car. You will get more money if you sell your car privately, typically making 15%-25% more than if you were to trade it in. That’s what you can do if you are having trouble making your car payment. The best way to ensure that you can always make your car payments is to select a car that you know you can afford. Determining a budget ahead of time and getting preapproved for a car loan will help you to stay within a healthy range of car prices. Try to avoid the unnecessary add ons and be sure to make a healthy down payment to further secure an affordable monthly payment. If your monthly payment is too much, contact Auto Approve today to see how much money we can save you!GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

One of the most important jobs parents have is to set their kids up for success in the future. And a huge part of that is teaching kids how to have a healthy relationship with money. While money isn’t the most important thing in life, we all know that life is much easier when you don’t have to worry as much about it. Teaching kids about the importance of making money, saving money, and spending money responsibly is a huge undertaking, but one that every parent must take seriously.  Here’s 12 ways you can teach your kids about money to set them up for success.#1. Set a good example for your kids.The biggest thing that you can do for your kids is to lead by example. If your children see that you have a good relationship with money they are more likely to have a similar relationship. Do you spend money rather carelessly, or do you think and budget before making large purchases? Do you have a savings account that you invest in? Do you have an emergency fund? Here are the top things that you can do to set an example:Have an emergency fund set up for the unexpected. Reiterate the importance and usefulness of having an emergency fund.Have a savings account or investment fund set up. Talk about the importance of setting money aside that is separate from your spending account. Look for sales. When you look for deals and sales, your kids will pick up on this behavior and mimic you.  Kids look up to those around them, even when you think they are not paying attention. The more that you emulate good behavior with your finances, the better off your child will be. #2. Give them jobs, not an allowance.An allowance is when you give your children money every week or month that is not tied to any actual task or job. Instead of this, try to give your children tasks that are tied to certain amounts they can earn. Make your bed every day of the week? That’s worth $5. Dust around the house? That’s worth $4. You can pick whatever chores and values work for you, but stick to your plan. If they do not do the work then they do not get the money. This will teach children that money is the direct result of work, and not simply a result of wanting it or asking for it.#3. Use a clear jar to save.Kids are very visual learners. For many kids seeing something on repeat is the best way for them to internalize something. If your children can actually see their savings build up it will emphasize the fact that working will increase their wealth. It will also serve as a motivator and make them want to save even more.#4. Open a savings account with them.Savings accounts are easy to open and easy to manage with the help and supervision of an adult. A savings account is a good first step towards money management and is a great way for you to teach your child about saving money and earning interest.#5. Discuss financial goals.Financial goals are important even when children are young. Goals give a purpose to the monotony of saving. Saving money is not nearly as much fun as spending money when we want, naturally. But teaching them to associate savings with working towards a goal will help them build a healthy relationship with money and work. As they get older you can define the difference between short term goals and long term goals. Short term goals may be saving for a certain toy or video game that they really want. Long term goals may be eventually buying a car or saving x amount of money for college. #6. Teach them to make vs. buy.When you make something you truly understand the value of something. The saying “time equals money” really rings true when it’s your own time that you are spending to create something. Sure, buying things is a whole lot easier than making something. But if you know that it takes 6 hours to knit a scarf, you will appreciate that scarf a whole lot more. And you will appreciate the value of the scarf if you do buy it elsewhere because you will know how long it took to make. Furthermore, teaching your kids how to make things is just good common sense. Knowing how to make your own food, greeting cards, gifts, etc will also introduce your kids to a world of hobbies and interests that they may never have been exposed to otherwise. #7. Warn them about credit cards.When you are a kid credit cards can seem magical. A plastic card that you can swipe and magically get anything you want? Yes please! But as we all know that is definitely NOT the case. Credit card debt can get out of control quickly and have a debilitating effect on your and your family. Explaining the dangers of credit card debt and encouraging them to pay with cash that they can see and feel will help them to avoid this danger. Again, kids are visual learners so it will be more valuable for them to see and feel the money that they are spending. The money that they worked hard to obtain. The relationship between work and money needs to be established early on with children.#8.Help them start a business.Helping your kid to open their own business is a great way to help them earn money and learn a lot of new skills. The “business” can be pretty small scale–think lemonade stand or car wash–but the lessons will still be applicable. You can teach them about advertising, budgeting for supplies, and profit margins all while having fun with them over the summer.#9. Give them a budget.Budgeting is one of the most important money skills a person should have in their arsenal. It is important to teach your kids the difference between income and expenses and how they can track everything. Making up a sample budget or showing them your monthly budget will give them a sense of how to do it and why it is so important.  #10.Teach them to invest.The younger you teach your kids about investing, the better. The magic of investing smartly is that your money will actually work for you. Explaining stocks and bonds to your kids may seem difficult, but if you introduce it in a fun way it can be very engaging for them. Allow them to pick a company and invest a small amount of money that is “theirs”. They will feel ownership and follow the investment. The more they follow it, the more they will absorb and understand how investing works and why it’s important.#11. Encourage charitable giving.It’s always good to encourage charity when talking about finances. It’s easy to get caught up in the dollars and cents of everything, but if you are able to give to those in need it’s important to do so. Whether it’s donating to an organization that you admire or giving to a local food bank, there are countless ways that you can contribute. Teach your kids that if they do not have the resources to donate money or items, donating your time can be just as, if not more, valuable. Having a healthy relationship with finances means that you understand the important role money plays in life, but you know that it is not the only thing that matters. Giving money and time is great not only for those in need, but it’s good for the giver as well. #12. Teach your kids to be content.This can be a tricky one, especially as your kids get older. It’s hard to ignore what other people have in the age of social media. Kids see others who have the best and the newest, so they will naturally want to have the best and the newest. But teaching your kids to appreciate the things in their own life will not only make them better with money, but will make them happier people overall. As with a lot of things, this attitude will start with you. Try to live your own life finding contentment in the things that you own.Those are 12 ways you can teach your kids about money. Money plays an important role in life so it’s vital that we teach our kids to have a good relationship with their finances. Money isn’t the only thing that matters, but having a balanced life of spending and earning will help to set them up for success in the future. A balanced budget is one of the most important money management tools you can teach, so it’s important to lead by example. If you are looking to free up some more money in your budget, think about refinancing your car loan. Contact Auto Approve today to see how much you could be saving!GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

Cars are expensive assets, so it only makes sense that we should keep documents that pertain to its history and its value. Service records are an important part of your car’s history, so it’s important to keep these records organized. So what exactly are service records and will they increase your car’s resale value?Here’s what you need to know about car service records and how they can affect your car’s resale value.What are service records?Car service records are similar to a person’s medical records. They give a history of your car’s “health” per se. Service records typically document the following:Information on previous owners. This may include the zip code of where the owners lived, which may give you an idea of how the car was used. If your car was in a city, you know that the miles are city miles. If the car was in the country, you will know that the miles are not stop-and-go. Car maintenance records. If the car was taken in for routine maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, there should be a paper trail. If the owner performed their own maintenance, this may not be documented. This will also give the dates of when these services were performed.Car repair records. Similarly, this will make note of what repairs were performed on your car. Dates on these records are also important. Keeping these records will give any future owners some confidence in the car that they are driving. If they can see proof that the car’s oil was changed according to the manufacturer's instructions, they will feel confident that the car they are buying was maintained correctly. If you bought the car new you have the opportunity to keep great records from the start. You can keep all of the records organized either physically or digitally. If you have maintenance performed at the dealership, they will most likely keep records. But it’s a very good idea to keep them yourself so that you always have access to them.What are the benefits of keeping service records?It can help with warranty claims.If your car is under warranty, service records will help with any claims that you may make. Warranties generally require that routine maintenance is performed for any repairs to be covered. If you are unable to prove that your car has been regularly maintained, you may be out of luck when it comes to having your repairs covered by your warranty. It can help with insurance claims.If you get into an accident, proving that your car has been regularly maintained can help you negotiate a higher diminished value. Diminished value is the difference between the car’s value before the accident and the value after. Cars with detailed records and histories tend to have higher resale values (more on the later), so this can help boost an insurance claim to be more accurate and more beneficial to you.It can remind you that it’s time to get your car serviced.Service records can also help you to remember when you need to take your car in for maintenance. If you have all of the records organized you can see that the time has come for an oil change or tune up. It can help a mechanic to pinpoint a problem.If you have records of the repair history, it may help a mechanic to determine what the problem is. If there are a number of different possible culprits, mechanics can look at the records to see what has already been replaced or repaired. It could also help a mechanic determine if a culprit is actually a mistake that a previous mechanic may have made. The more information you have to give a mechanic, the better chance you have of finding the underlying issue.Does keeping service records increase resale value?But of all of the benefits of keeping organized service records, an increased resale value is probably top of the list.Buying a used car can be nerve-racking. There are so many unknowns as compared to buying a new car. Service records provide more peace of mind for a buyer. Instead of taking someone’s word for it that maintenance was regularly performed and that the car was well taken care of, you have physical proof of that. Service records do not prove or guarantee that a car will be problem free, but they can show a potential buyer that you are the type of person who takes care of their car and is diligent about keeping records. That can mean a lot to a potential buyer, and that can translate to an increased resale value.Resale value is dependent on a number of factors. Brand reliability, model popularity, color, and trim level all contribute to the resale value. But the most important factors that you can control post-purchase are the mileage, vehicle history, and the condition of the car. By keeping your service records you can assure the future buyer that the car is in great condition and doesn’t have a shady past without documented maintenance and repairs.How should you store service records?You can store your records either physically or digitally, whichever is more natural or easier for you. Ideally you can keep a physical folder as well as a digital folder so that you have back ups of the information. Many people choose to keep their information in the glove box, but this can be a problem if your car is involved in an accident and is taken away. If the records are stored digitally you will always have access to them no matter where your car is.Are there privacy concerns when keeping service records? If you are concerned about your privacy, which is a valid concern, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. After all, you don’t necessarily want to show strangers your exact address and contact information.  Go through each document to ensure that your name, full address, phone number, and email address are covered completely. Using a marker or pen may not sufficiently cover your information, so instead get an identity theft protection roller stamp that will ensure your information is fully covered. It is very important to look through all of your documents thoroughly to ensure that you haven’t missed any important information that needs to be covered. That’s everything you need to know about service records and why they are so important.  If you are looking to sell your car, organizing your service records will help tremendously. If you are looking to buy a used car, asking for service records can give you peace of mind.  Already have a car? Consider refinancing your loan with Auto Approve! Get in touch to find out just how much you could be saving!GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

Selling–or buying–a car from a stranger may be nerve wracking for both the seller and the buyer. When you don’t know someone there is a lot of risk involved on both ends. So what is the best and safest way to exchange funds during a private car sale?Here’s how you can exchange money during a private sale.How can I exchange money during a private car sale? There are six main ways that you can exchange money during a private sale. Some are faster than others, but others are safer (even if they take much longer). CashCash is king, as they say. On one hand cash is a very safe way to exchange money. The seller is guaranteed to get the full amount and there is no need to get another entity involved. But carrying around a fistful of cash can pose an inherent risk.  Top Tip: If you want to exchange funds using cash, bring a friend or loved one along for added protection and consider meeting at a public spot such as a park. Digital PlatformNowadays more and more people prefer using digital payment platforms such as Venmo, PayPal, or ApplePay. These platforms have great benefits, as they are quick and secure. Because of this there is little risk of fraud. But the downside is that there are often transfer fees and there can be limits to how much you transfer. Top Tip: If you want to exchange funds using a digital payment platform, determine what fees you will be responsible for and whether or not there is a transfer limit.Certified CheckA certified check is a personal check that is verified by a bank to ensure that sufficient funds are in the account. When a check is certified those funds are frozen and allocated to that specific check. This guarantees that the check will cover the price of the car. Some banks treat these checks as cash more or less, so the funds may be immediately available once you cash the check. But other banks have a delay in this process which means that the money may not be available immediately. Fraud is still possible even with a certified check, as the certification itself may be forged. Top Tip: If you want to exchange funds using a certified check, meet at the buyer’s bank to make the exchange. If the buyer wants to use a personal check, insist that they certify it first. These measures will reduce the risk of fraud.Cashier’s CheckA cashier’s check is similar to a certified check but the funds will come directly from the bank. A buyer will essentially buy a cashier’s check from a bank. There isn’t the risk of inadequate funds, but as with any type of check there is the potential for fraud. An unscrupulous buyer could simply forge the check.  Top Tip: If you want to exchange funds using a cashier’s check, meet at the buyer’s bank to make the exchange (just like with the certified check). This will reduce the risk of fraud. Bank TransferAnother option for exchanging money is to do a bank transfer of the funds. You will not need to worry about checks or certification, the funds will simply move from one account to the other. This is much safer than using a check, but the downside is that it can take up to 24 hours to make the transfer. Top Tip: If you want to exchange funds using a bank transfer, double and triple check that all of the banking information is correct on both ends. EscrowA less used option for transferring money in a private car sale is to put the funds in escrow. When we think of escrow we typically think of buying a home, but the same idea can be applied to buying a car. An escrow service is a third party who holds the funds until the vehicle transfer is complete. This protects both parties as it ensures that the transaction is complete before releasing money and releasing the title. There is a paper trail which makes it even more secure for both parties. But the downside is that this can take some time to complete and comes with an added fee, typically around 2%. Top Tip: If you want to exchange funds using an escrow service, do your research to find a reputable company that charges a fair fee. Make sure that the other party signs off on the company as well.How can I safely buy a car from a private seller?Buying a car from a private seller can be daunting. After all, you are the one with the money, and they are the one with the car you don’t really know that much about. But there are steps you can take to help protect yourself when you are buying. Do your research. You should not only do your research on the make and model in general, but also on the VIN number. Ask if the seller will pay for a CARFAX report to be sure that the car hasn’t had any major damage and that there aren’t any recalls out on the car.Ask for maintenance records. If the seller has any maintenance records that they can share that will help you be sure that the car has been properly maintained. Have the car inspected by a mechanic. If you want to be extra sure that the car is in great shape, have it inspected by a mechanic before you complete the sale.How can I safely sell a car to a private buyer?There are risks when looking to sell your car as well. You don’t want to end up with no car and no money, which can happen if you get duped by a scammer. But again, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself.Avoid checks if possible. Checks have a high likelihood of being fraudulent, so you are better off with one of the other payment methods we outlined above.Walk away if something feels wrong. After all of that work to advertise and sell your car you are probably anxious to have it all be over. But if something feels wrong, it most likely is. Don’t be afraid to walk away if you get a bad feeling about the buyer–or the circumstances. That’s how you can safely exchange money during a private car sale.Selling and buying a car privately are inherently riskier than selling or buying a car from a dealer. But being smart and doing your research can help protect you, whether you are the seller or the buyer. If you are overpaying every month on your car payments, Auto Approve can help! Contact us today to find out how much you can save! GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

We typically think we have two options when buying a car: buying new or buying used. But there is actually a third option that is somewhere in the middle. Buying a certified pre-owned car is a great way to get a car that is reliable and affordable. So what exactly does certified pre-owned mean, and what are the advantages?Here’s everything you need to know about buying a certified pre-owned car.What does certified pre-owned mean?A certified pre-owned car is a used car that has been thoroughly vetted and repaired by a car dealership. Every manufacturer has different requirements for the cars that they buy back through their CPO program. In general they will have requirements for the following:MileageAgeCondition Dealerships have these types of requirements to ensure that their CPO cars are dependable. They will recondition the cars and make any repairs so that the cars are at a new car level in both appearance and performance. Here are some CPO program requirements from major brands:Hyundai: Less than 5 years old, less than 60,000 miles, 150-point quality assurance inspection, and a clean CarFax History ReportDodge/ Chrysler /Jeep/ RAM: Less than 5 years old, less than 60,000 miles, 125-point quality assurance inspection, and a clean CarFax History ReportFord: Less than 6 years old, less than 80,000 miles, 172-point quality assurance inspection, and a clean CarFax History ReportToyota: Less than 6 years old, less than 85,000 miles, 160-point quality assurance inspection, and a clean CarFax History ReportSubaru: Less than 5 years old, less than 80,000 miles, 152-point quality assurance inspection, and a clean CarFax History ReportWhat are the advantages of buying a certified pre owned car?You can get a newer vehicle.CPO programs always have age and condition restrictions on their cars. Because of this, you can be assured that a CPO car will be newer than most used cars (usually less than 6 years old).They usually come with a warranty.Since CPO cars are newer they will often still be under their original warranty. Additionally, CPO programs will often include another warranty, such as limited bumper to bumper warranties for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles. These warranties do vary greatly from dealer to dealer and manufacturer to manufacturer so you need to read the fine print to be sure of what is covered. While some CPO warranties extend factory coverage, others will cover different things and kick in only when the factory warranty ends. Some programs will require a deductible for repairs, while others may cover repairs entirely.There are often added benefits. There are often added benefits when you purchase a CPO car, such as roadside assistance, free XM radio trial, and free oil changes for a set period of time. Many also include rental coverage should your car need servicing. Here are some benefits that specific manufacturers offer:Hyundai: Special financing rates, 10 year/ unlimited mile roadside assistance, no out of pocket cost for covered repairs, 90 day trial of SIRIUSXM Radio, Hyundai Protection Plan Wrap Service Contracts, no cost cap for towing under roadside assistance.Subaru: Special financing rates, 7 year/ 100,000 mile powertrain coverage, 24/7 roadside assistance, $500 owner loyalty coupon, 3 month trial of SIRIUSXM Radio, one year trial subscription to STARLINK.Ford: Special financing rates, 14 Day/1,000-Mile Money Back Guarantee, 12 Month/ 12,000 Mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty, 7 Year/ 100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, roadside assistance.You can finance if you have the need.When you buy a used car from a private party, you will need to have cash in hand. You may be able to secure a personal loan, but they typically will have higher rates than an auto loan and have different requirements. But when you buy a certified pre-owned car you can secure financing. CPOs typically have lower APRs than merely buying a used car from a dealer that is not in the CPO program. Are certified pre-owned car prices negotiable? Just like when you buy a new car, you should definitely try to negotiate the price of your CPO. Some dealers have instituted “no haggle” policies, but there is usually wiggle room.You should always focus on the out the door price when you are negotiating to buy a car. Dealers will try to get you to focus on your monthly payment or the financing terms instead of looking at the price tag, but this is meant to distract you from the total amount that you are spending.Is a certified pre-owned car worth it?You will need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages when looking to buy a CPO car. There are a lot of benefits to CPO cars, such as a warranty, added benefits, and financing opportunities. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that you can get a really great car that is vetted and repaired and it will be much more affordable than buying a brand new car. For example, a two year old CPO car tends to cost about 25% less than a new car of a similar model. That’s a huge savings that will allow you to get a great car without breaking the bank. But, there are some disadvantages that you have to consider. CPO cars are more expensive than if you choose to simply buy a used car. This is because a CPO program will cover a total reconditioning and certification, which will run several thousand dollars more than a similar car that is not certified. Additionally you will have less options overall when selecting a car that is right for you. Because of the requirements that the CPO cars must meet, it’s likely that the exact car–make, model, color, trim level, etc–will be available. This might be a dealbreaker for you or it might not, but it is a disadvantage to consider.How can I prepare to buy a certified pre-owned car?Buying a CPO car is similar to buying a new car. Here are the steps you should take when looking to buy a CPO car. Do your research.If you have your heart set on a brand, do some research to find out about their CPO program. What are the requirements? What cars are available? You should have a good idea of what you are looking for in your future car, but having some flexibility will give you a great chance for success. You should also look into the financing options of different CPO programs. Many programs offer great rates on their CPO cars, which is another great benefit. Hyundai offers 0.9% APRs for 36 months on select cars, while Ford offers 0.99% APR financing for their “Gold Certified Vehicles.” Stopping in at a dealership and asking for more information may help you get an idea of what you want and what you can afford. You should also make a note of which benefits are offered. Some will offer free trials, some will not charge for certain maintenance services, and all of these things can help tip the scale towards one brand or another. Get pre-approved.Getting pre-approved for financing will not only give you a good idea of what type of car you can afford, but it will give you more leverage when negotiating. Many CPO programs may be able to beat your pre-approved APR, but it’s still good to have.  Find the car you want.Being flexible will help you to secure a certified pre-owned car. Finding the general car you want and being less picky about small details will benefit you greatly. Negotiate what you can.Finding out the price of other similar cars can help you to leverage a better out the door price. While dealers may point out that other comparable cars aren’t CPOs (and therefore don't come with the benefits of a CPO car) this knowledge can still help you to get a better deal. Some dealers may offer a low interest rate OR a low out the door price, in which case you will need to do the math and figure out what works out best. Sign and drive.When you iron out the details, you can finally enjoy your new car. If the interest rate isn’t exactly what you were hoping for, you can always contact Auto Approve to see if refinancing will secure you a lower rate.That’s everything you need to know about certified pre-owned cars.A certified pre-owned can help you get a great car for less than you would pay for a new car. If you are on a tighter budget and can’t quite afford the higher price tag, buying a non-certified used car and having it inspected by a mechanic may offer you some extra reassurance. If you are overpaying on your car loan every month, contact Auto Approve! Our experts can help get you the best refinance rate possible and help you through the process. Contact us today to see how we can help! GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

When you buy a used car, there are endless amounts of questions and unknowns. Were there regular oil changes? Was the car ever in an accident? Did the last owner drive carelessly? And while some of these questions will never have certain answers, there is one thing that you can check relatively easily: if there has ever been a recall. Here’s how you can check for a recall when buying a used car.What is a car recall?In a nutshell, a recall is issued by a car manufacturer when there is a defect on one of their cars. Recalls can be divided into two categories: safety recalls and non-safety recalls. Safety recalls are mandated by the government to ensure that consumers are protected when there is a known problem with a car. Manufacturers usually issue these recalls voluntarily, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can also issue them if they feel that there is a safety risk. Safety recalls can include anything that can potentially cause injury to a passenger. Some safety recalls may include:Airbag issuesBrake pad stickingProblems with steeringWiring defectsDysfunctional wipersAnything else that can cause a safety problem Non-safety recalls are issued voluntarily by manufacturers to address cosmetic or function defects in the manufacturing process. These defects however do not pose any safety threat to the passengers inside. These recalls may include:Stereo issuesBroken air conditionerRustPoor paint job If a recall is for safety reasons it is very important to get the issue fixed for the safety of you, your passengers, and others on the road. If a recall is non-safety related, it is not imperative for you to address the issue, but it’s still a good idea.How do car manufacturers decide to issue a car recall? A manufacturer will typically issue a recall after they notice a pattern of complaints and issues. If consumer complaints start rolling in and warranty claims increase, they will investigate to determine the exact issue. They will then determine how the problem can be fixed in the future and how they can conduct a recall that will address the issue.  If the issue is safety-related and the manufacturer does not issue a recall for some reason, the NHTSA will step in and issue one.Is it safe to drive a car with an open recall?Recalls are issued for all different reasons, so your car may be perfectly safe to drive even if there is a recall. If a recall is particularly dangerous, your recall will be issued with a “Do Not Drive” warning. But in general it is safe to assume that a car is relatively safe to drive if there is no explicit warning. What happens when you bring your car in for a recall?Dealerships are required to perform the necessary repairs in order to fix a recall. The manufacturer is responsible for paying the associated costs for the repair, so you should not have to pay for any car recall. There are a number of different ways that recalls can be addressed. It depends largely on what the specific issue is and how it can be resolved.  Most of the time you will be able to schedule a recall repair at the dealership. Many recall repairs can be done by dropping your car off for a few hours and picking it up later that day. If there is a large recall that affects a lot of people you may end up waiting for an appointment, but it can and will eventually be fixed at the dealership. Parts may take additional time to make it to the dealership, so this may further delay your repair.  In some instances if the recall is very intensive and requires a complicated fix, you may have to have your car shipped back to the factory for repairs. This can be hugely inconvenient, but if a recall is this involved it is safe to assume that it’s important enough to have fixed. Are car recalls common?Car recalls are relatively common, although some are more serious than others. And some brands have more recalls than others. In 2022 there were over 300 recalls issued for cars in the United States. According to a study published by Automotive News, the following makers had the most recalls in 2022.Ford Motors. Total of 67 recalls affecting 8,636,265 vehicles.Volkswagen Group of America. 46 recalls affecting 1,078,443 vehicles.Daimler Trucks North America (medium-and heavy-duty commercial truck maker). 42 recalls affecting 273,286 vehicles.Chrysler. 38 recalls affecting 3,041,431 vehicles.Forest River (recreational and commercial vehicle maker). 35 recalls affecting 203,694 vehicles. Rounding out the top ten list are Mercedes-Benz USA (34 recalls), General Motors (32 recalls, Kia America (24 recalls), Navistar (22 recalls), Hyundai Motor America (22 recalls). It is important to note however that many of these recalls were not safety related. When new technology is introduced there is usually an uptick in recalls as they work out the bugs. But it’s important to keep an eye out for recalls regardless.How can you check if there is an open recall on the car you want?When you buy a new car at a dealership it is standard for the dealership to alert you to any recalls. They will usually call you or send you a letter that will outline what steps you should take to get the issue resolved. But when you buy a new car, this is not the case.When buying a used car you need to be a little more savvy and do the research yourself. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration keeps an up to date list of all recalls that have ever been issued for just this reason. You can search safercar.gov by the make, model, and year on the NHTSA website to determine if (and what recalls) have been issued for the car you are interested in. This will help you determine what makes, models, and years should be avoided due to severe safety issues.If you have a specific car that you are interested in you can look up the car’s VIN on the NHTSA website to see what recalls have been issued AND if the recalls have been addressed. You can see quickly and easily whether or not the car is still in need of a fix.What should I do if there is an open recall? If there is an open recall on the car that you are interested in, it’s not an automatic dealbreaker. After all, if the recall fix was performed then the car is good to go. But if the problem was not fixed you still have some options. You are buying a used car from a dealership.If you are buying a used car from a dealer you may be able to request that the recall is addressed (at no cost to you) before you accept the car. If a dealer is able to do this quickly and easily this may work out in your favor. But if the dealer is unwilling to do this you will need to decide if you want to purchase the car and have it fixed at your own expense. If it is not a safety issue, you may not care if the recall is addressed. You are buying a used car from a private seller. If you are looking to purchase a car from a private seller, you can similarly ask that they have the recall issue addressed before you buy the car. This is less likely to be an option for most private sellers, but you can always ask. Again, if the recall is not a safety issue you may choose to forego having it fixed. But be cautious: if a car has open recalls it may indicate that the owner did not take the best care of the car. You should have it inspected by a mechanic to determine if the car is in good shape overall before purchasing it. When you are buying a used car it’s important to check if there was a recall on your car and whether or not it has been fixed. Recalls can vary greatly in their importance so it will ultimately be up to you to decide how you want to handle any recalls that are issued for cars you are interested in. But either way you need to do your research so that you can make an informed decision about the car you want. Many cars that have recalls issued are good, safe, and reliable cars–but it’s up to you to do this legwork.  If you are looking to refinance your existing car loan, Auto Approve can help! Our experts can help match you to the loan that is right for you and guide you through the refinancing process. It’s fast, easy, and can save you a lot of money. So what are you waiting for? Contact Auto Approve today to get started!GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

You’ve hemmed and hawed and haggled with the dealer–but you finally landed on a sales price for your new car. And while you may feel like the deal is done and you are all ready to go, it’s imperative that you look over all of the fees that will be added onto the price tag. There are a lot of fees that the dealer may add on, and one of these common fees is a destination charge. But what exactly is a destination charge, and can you negotiate it?Let’s talk about destination charges–what they are and how much they will cost you.What is a destination charge? A destination charge (also called a freight fee or freight delivery charge) is an added dealer fee that is meant to cover the cost of shipping your car from the manufacturer to the dealership. The fee is set by the manufacturer and is a flat fee that you will have to pay regardless of how far the dealership is from the manufacturer.  The destination charge is always listed as a separate line item on the sales contract. Manufacturers may have different names, but the cost is always meant to cover the shipping and handling of your car, and the cost is always passed on to the buyer.How much are destination charges?Destination charges can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer.  In fact, they can even vary from model to model. This is because larger models such as SUVs and pickup trucks are heavier and therefore cost more to transport. Destination charges can vary from $900 up to $2000 depending on the car you buy. If your car is a high end luxury vehicle you can expect to pay several thousands in destination charges. It’s important to note that destination charges only apply to transporting cars in the US. Foreign manufacturers shoulder the cost of getting their cars to the US. Are destination charges negotiable?Because these charges are set by the manufacturer, they are considered non-negotiable. Even if you live near the manufacturing plant and you know that the cost of delivering the vehicle pales in comparison to the destination charge, it doesn’t matter.  These prices are set at a high level and are calculated by considering all of the vehicle delivery costs across the country, although the exact method that manufacturers use has never been revealed.Are destination charges getting more expensive? Destination charges for certain makes and models are getting more and more expensive, disproportionately so compared to the price of cars. It is interesting to note that some manufacturers have only increased their charges to keep in line with inflation.  A Consumer Reports study in 2021 found that BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo each increased their destination charges by less than 20%, while Stellantis (the company behind Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram) increased their destination charges by more than 90% on Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brand vehicles.  So why the discrepancy between manufacturers? Car manufacturers are keeping their lips sealed. There has been a lack of transparency about how these fees are calculated, which makes many people skeptical that the charges are fair. Instead many feel that the added fees only serve to increase the overall sticker price and increase the profits for the manufacturers. While it’s hard to say with certainty whether or not the fees are fair, the fact remains that they are a non negotiable and inevitable part of buying a car.How can you prepare for destination fees? The only thing you can do when faced with these fees is to calculate it into your car budget. When you initially look to buy a car, it is easy to look at just the sticker price of the car you want and ignore the rest. But the truth is that buying a car will cost you much more than the sticker price states. In addition to your car’s sticker price you may (and probably will) be required to pay the following fees:Destination chargeDealer preparation feeSales taxTitle and registrationDelivery fee (this is different form the destination charge: this is if you need the car delivered to your house)Documentation fee These fees and taxes will easily add thousands of dollars onto your total sale price. But these fees will vary based on the price of your car and the manufacturer.  Your first step when looking to buy a new car should be to look at your budget. Looking at your total income and your total expenses will help you determine how much you can comfortably afford to pay every month. You will also have to determine how much of a down payment you can make. A down payment will help you avoid an upside down loan (where your car is worth less than the amount you owe).The total amount you owe will be the sale price of the car plus taxes and fees. When you look at new cars consider these added costs. You can do some research to determine how much the destination charge is on the car you are interested in. This will help prepare you for the total cost of your new car. While you cannot negotiate the destination charge, there are other fees that you may be able to negotiate. The following fees may have some wiggle room that can help you cut costs.Advertising fee. This fee is exactly what it sounds like–it helps cover the dealership’s local and regional advertising. If this is listed as a line item, you may be able to haggle it down.Dealer prep fee. If you are buying a new car, one may wonder what the dealer actually has to prep. Because of that, you can make a reasonable argument to the dealer that the fee should either be reduced or waived completely. VIN etching. This is an add on that some dealers will throw on as a “theft prevention tool”. But in reality you can buy a DIY kit online for a fraction of the price.GAP Insurance/ Credit Insurance/ Extended Warranty. These are all optional coverages that you can add on, but will increase your price. While some may be worthwhile, you can shop around and shouldn’t feel pressured by the dealer.The bottom line is that when you are buying a car you need to consider all of the costs–the sticker price plus all of the taxes and fees.That’s everything you need to know about destination charges. Having a firm and realistic number of how much you can spend in total on your car is essential when shopping for a new car. Negotiate where you can and search for a car loan that works for you. If you aren’t happy with your current car loan, contact Auto Approve today to see how we can help!GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

We could all use extra money, right? But when you are in college it can feel especially hard to find the time to make money. Between sporadic class schedules, late night study sessions, and a busy social life, squeezing in work can be challenging. But there are ways that you can make extra money that work around your hectic schedule and can fit easily into your college lifestyle.Here are 12 ways you can make some extra money in college.Find an on campus job.Many jobs are unable to accommodate the shifting schedules of a college student. But on campus jobs are especially used to this and create schedules accordingly. There are tons of on campus jobs that can suit your personality, skill set, and interests. In addition to having flexible hours, on campus jobs can help you to meet more peers, see friends regularly, and are in close proximity to your classes. On campus jobs typically don’t require a large time commitment either. Here are just a few of the opportunities that you can find on most campuses. Library AssistantBaristaBookstore AssociateIT AssistantDining Hall WorkerLifeguardMail Room AssistantCampus Tour GuideFitness Center AttendantTutorResearch Assistant  Become an Online TutorOnline tutoring is an easy way to make money from the comfort of your own dorm room. There are a lot of websites that will hire you as an online tutor, usually paying around $20 an hour. Some sites require you to have completed certain classes, while others do not have such restrictions. From SAT prep to geometry to teaching students in other countries how to speak English, there are a lot of tutoring possibilities available. Become a Resident AdviserBecoming a resident adviser is a great way to make extra money during the semester. Being a resident adviser is more than merely a part time job though, it’s a bit of a lifestyle change. You will not be able to have a roommate or live off campus. You will also have to act as a therapist and crisis manager at times. But there are a lot of benefits to becoming a resident adviser. Most colleges will fully cover the cost of room and board and will give you a single occupancy room. You may also get dining hall perks, a laundry stipend, and an hourly wage. Being an RA is a wonderful way to help younger students while also helping your wallet.Babysit (or Dogsit)Babysitting is a great and easy option for college students. There are millions of parents out there that would love a night out, and college students can use the time after the kids are asleep to study and work on assignments. There are many sites out there that can help connect students with parents. You can also check with your college to see if they have any programs set up.  If you aren’t really a kid person, dog sitting might be a better option for you. If pet owners are going away for the weekend and don’t want to put their pets in a kennel, they may be willing to pay you handsomely for taking care of their furry friends. Typically this requires taking them out to the bathroom, taking them on walks, feeding them, and ensuring they are safe. This can allow you to still enjoy your weekends but make some extra money bonding with a new buddy. Work for a Catering ServiceRestaurant work will typically require a set schedule with times that may not work for you. But catering jobs are much more flexible. Caterers instead will send out lists of upcoming events, detailing the location, required times, and the pay. You can then decide which events work for your schedule and which do not. These gigs can pay pretty well and usually have a tip on top of an hourly wage. Look in neighboring towns and reach out to see if any local caterers need help. Chances are they could use another pair of helping hands, especially in the wedding season and around holidays. Take Surveys and Quizzes OnlineYour opinions matter, especially to marketers. They want to know what your demographic is interested in on a whole range of topics and they will pay to get some honest feedback. Sites such as PrizeRebel simply ask you to sign up and take quizzes at your leisure. You can redeem your earned points for PayPal cash or for hundreds of different gift cards. It couldn’t be easier to make money from the comfort of your bed. Become a TranscriberMany people will pay for you to transcribe their audio. Businesses will pay to have meetings transcribed, professors will pay to have lectures transcribed, podcasters will pay to have episodes transcribed–the opportunities are endless. While AI is getting better and better, human transcription is still far superior and many people will pay for quality work. If you are a good listener and a fast typer, this is a great option for some extra money. Transcribers can make $5-$20 per audio hour depending on their skill level.Become a TranslatorIf you are fluent in another language, becoming a translator is a great side gig. Many businesses and organizations will pay to have their content translated and edited for clarity. Your college’s foreign language department may have relationships that can help make this connection for you. If not, there are plenty of websites that can assist you.Work for a Delivery ServiceIf you have a car on campus and like driving, consider working for a delivery service. This could mean many different things. You may be interested in delivering food for a local restaurant, or signing up for a service like UberEats. But it doesn’t have to be just takeout. You can also deliver groceries, sign up to deliver with Amazon, or deliver for a local florist. Using your car for Uber or Lyft is another option if you have a dependable car. They often have car requirements, so be sure that your car fits the bill. If you have a leased car there may be a provision in your lease that forbids rideshare programs.Sell Your Old Stuff.As the saying goes; out with the old, in with the new. But when you are in college you may need to get rid of the old before you can buy the new. Look through your things to see what you no longer need. Are there clothes that you no longer wear that could find a good home somewhere else? Are there electronics that are still working perfectly well that are just a bit outdated? Chances are you can sell all of these things to get a little extra cash for yourself. You can try selling your things online at thrift stores, list your things on Marketplace or Ebay, or just have an old fashioned garage sale. Get your friends to join in with you to make your sale even bigger and better. Plus it will make the day a whole lot more fun.Sell Your Old Textbooks.Textbooks are an expensive part of college. And even in today’s age of technology they can be hard to avoid. But used textbooks are worth a good deal of money, so it’s worth reselling them when you can. The easiest way to do this is to find someone who will be taking the same class next semester who has the same textbook requirement. Selling it at a discount will make it a win-win situation. If that’s not an option, there are a ton of places online that will sell your books for you, including Amazon. Be sure to shop around so that you can get the best price for your used books. You won’t be able to recoup the total cost of your books, but it will be enough to make it worth the added effort.Keep Looking for Scholarships.Once you get to college, it might be easy to forget about the scholarship application process that ruled your high school life. But there are loads of college scholarships that are designed for people already in college. Devote an hour or two a week to research and applications–you may be surprised at what you may find and how much you can make. You can also try writing to the dean of your college and seeing if the school can give you a merit based scholarship. If you have been getting good grades and can articulate your need for extra money, the school may be able to award you additional money.Those are 12 ways you can make some extra cash while you are in college. College is more expensive now than ever before, and college students could definitely use some more breathing room in their budgets. Try one (or several!) of these and see how much money you can put back in your wallet. If you are making car payments every month, that can very quickly put a wrench in your financial plans. But refinancing your car loan with Auto Approve can help! Contact us today to see how much money you could be saving!GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

When talking about how much your car is worth, there are actually few different values to keep in mind. There is the trade-in value of your car, there is the retail value of your car, and there is the charitable value of your car. So what’s the difference between these numbers, and what options do you have when you choose to get rid of your car?Here’s the difference between trade-in value, retail value, and charitable value.How is trade-in value determined? Your trade-in value is determined for the most part by the condition and desirability of your car. The following factors will drive the value of your car either higher or lower.The age of your carThe mileage of your carThe maintenance history of your carThe current market demand, both for used cars and your particular make and modelThe overall condition of your car The biggest factor overall will be the market demand for your car. After all, supply and demand is the most important thing in sales. The more in demand your car is, the higher the trade-in value will be. When you shop for a new car you should always consider the average resale value of the car make and model you are considering. The trade-in value of your car will always be lower than the retail value of your car. This is because the car dealership ultimately is the middleman in this sale. You want to get rid of your car with minimum hassle, and the dealer wants to make money by doing the extra legwork of selling it. It is a win-win situation that means you do not have to advertise and find a person who wants to buy your car. But the flip side of that is simple: you will not get as much money for your car.  Another reason for this difference in value is the conditioning that goes into selling a car. A dealership will never sell a used car as-is to a customer. They will wash, vacuum, detail, and make any repairs necessary to get the highest price for your car. In other words they are making an investment to increase the sale price of your car. They make up for this cost by offering you less money. Trading in your car is a great option if you are buying a car from a dealership and want to knock a significant amount off of your financing amount. You do not need to deal with the headache of selling your car privately and the dealer can handle all of the paperwork at the same time. How is retail value determined? Retail value is determined by many of the same factors as the trade-in value: age, mileage, maintenance, market demand, and overall condition. But retail value will depend on how you choose to sell your car.  The classic way to sell your car is by privately selling it to another individual. There are a number of ways you can go about this, from advertising online to simply putting your car on your lawn with a for sale sign. But private sales will garner a higher value than a trade-in value because you are not paying for a middle man to make the sale. But there is now a new way to sell your car: the instant cash offer. There are many sites online that will offer you an instant cash offer for your used car. You simply fill out your car’s information and they will make you a fixed offer on your car. There is no room to negotiate or haggle, it’s merely a straightforward way to get your used car off of your hands. If you accept the instant cash offer you will drop your car off at a participating dealership and receive your payment.  There are a number of companies that now offer instant cash offers. These companies include:Kelley Blue BookEdmundsCarMaxTrueCarCarMaxAnd many more Instant cash offers are becoming more and more popular and many people feel that they are very worthwhile. The amount of money they will give you vs. how quick it is seems to be a great trade off for many. But it is still important to note that you can make more money by selling your car privately. When you sell privately you are able to negotiate, hold out, and angle your advertising appropriately. The power is yours, but so is the headache and time commitment. Ultimately retail value is determined by your car’s condition, the market demand, and your savviness for sales.How is the charitable value of a car determined? When you want to get rid of your car you can trade it in or you can sell it privately as we discussed. But there is also a third option–donating it to charity. Donating your car to charity can be beneficial for both you and the charity. Typically a charity will either give or sell the car to someone in need or they will use it for their own purposes. Determine which organization you should contact.The most important step is finding a charity that is able to accept a car as a donation. The organization must be IRS tax-exempt. It may be a religious organization, charity, or other organization that promotes literacy, education, or humanitarianism. Determine your car’s fair value.The fair market value of your car is a major consideration of the charitable value. A Kelley Blue Book search can give you a good idea of how much your car is worth for its mileage and current condition. You need to be honest about the condition of your car to avoid any issue with your deduction. In other words, if your car has visible damage be sure to not mark it as being in “excellent condition”.Determine the organization’s plan of usage.You can deduct a different amount from your taxes based on what the organization plans to do with your car.  If they sell your car: The IRS limits your deduction amount to the sale price of your car even if that number is below the market value. If your car is sold for less than $500 you can deduct either $500 or its fair market value, whichever is less. If they sell your car you must complete Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale to make the deduction eligible.  If they keep your car for their own use: You can deduct the determined fair value of your car. If this value is over $5,000 you will need to have your car appraised in order to claim the deduction. Complete the paperwork.Whatever the deduction value ends up being, be sure to get an official document from the organization stating that you donated your vehicle. This document should include your name, social security number, the VIN, and the date of donation. If you received anything as compensation, even if it is something small, it must be noted on this document and the value of that must be subtracted from the amount you want to deduct. The donation is not complete until the title is transferred out of your name, so be sure to follow through until all paperwork is complete. What should I do when I want to get rid of my car?If you are trying to decide the best way to get rid of your car, here’s how you can quickly decide the best option for you.Trade it in. Trade your car in if you are planning on getting a new car from a dealership and do not want to deal with the hassle of a private sale. Sell it privately. Selling privately is the best option if you have the time to prepare your car and advertise the sale. If you are in a rush to get cash you can try an instant cash offer from one of the many companies that offer this service.Donate it. Donating your car is a great thing to do if you care about an organization and want to do something meaningful to help. It is not a good idea if you are strapped for cash, as the deduction will pale in comparison to the benefit of a cash sale. But the satisfaction of donating a car to a worthy cause is hard to beat. Weighing all of your options is important when making a financial decision such as this. Ultimately the choice will depend on your financial situation, the condition of your car, and how much time you want to spend getting rid of your car. That’s the difference between trade-in value, retail value, and charitable value. While these values differ slightly, they are all based on what the market dictates. If a car is desirable, it will have a higher value across the board. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your car yet but are ready to say goodbye to your car loan, Auto Approve can help! Contact us today to find out how much money you can save by refinancing your car loan.GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS

Chances are you’ve had a scammer contact you at one time or another. Whether it’s an email that congratulates you for winning a million dollars or a prince from a foreign country begging you for a short term loan, there are various scams that are designed to grab your attention–and your money. Car warranty scams are nothing new, but they are more rampant now than ever before. But learning how these scams work can help you protect yourself and your money.Here’s everything you need to know about car warranty scams and how you can protect yourself. What is a car warranty scam?Car warranty scams are designed to pressure you into making a rash decision about purchasing a car warranty over the phone. The scammers usually pretend to be someone from either the dealership, manufacturer, or insurer, who tells you that your warranty has expired and you need to renew it. They will often pressure you by telling you how expensive repairs will be if you do not renew immediately. Scammers hope that you will feel enough pressure that you will give out your personal information so that they can “write a contract” and ultimately use that information to defraud you.Scam callers often call you over the phone. They will have some of your vehicle information which may make them seem more legitimate or reputable. But they most likely know your name and vehicle information because they found it in public records or bought it from a data collection company. Scammers may contact you in other ways, sometimes emailing, texting, or even sending you physical letters. But the end goal is always the same: to get your personal information. How did a scam caller get your phone number?Americans receive more than 50 billion robocalls every year, and that trend only seems to be increasing. You may wonder how they even got your number in the first place. There are many ways that scammers can get your personal information, both legitimate and illegitimate.  A very common legal way to obtain your information is by buying it directly from a state DMV. Many states participate in this and will sell driver's license numbers, vehicle information, and other personal information on your driver's license.  Scammers can also purchase personal information from data collection companies. If you ever check “I agree” on a terms and conditions box for a contest or promotion, there is a good chance that they will sell your information to a third party.  But the most common way that scammers get your information is through data breaches. In 2022 there were reports of over 4100 publicly recorded data breaches. This resulted in about 22 billion records being exposed. While you can do your best to never give out your email, phone number, and personal information, there is little you can do to protect your information from a data breach. Some of the biggest and most secure companies in the world have breaches, and there’s little you can do to combat it. How do you spot a scam number? There are a number of warning signs you can look for if you are trying to determine if a call is a scam. They ask for personal information over the phone. If you receive a call that is asking for information such as your social security number, banking information, or credit card information, that is a major sign that it is a scam. You should never give this information out over the phone.The call is vague. Scam calls tend to use language that is very general and sweeping. They will have little to no information on the product or contract that they are trying to sell, and instead will push constantly to get your information.The call is very urgent. If the caller is trying to rush you and convey a sense of urgency, that’s a big sign that there is a problem. Again, they are trying to scare you into taking action so that you do not have time to think about it or be dissuaded.The caller is threatening. Sometimes scammers will use scare tactics to push you into giving information. They may tell you that they will take legal action or that you will have to pay fees if you do not extend your warranty. If this happens, hang up immediately. What should I do to prevent scam calls? If you are worried about scam calls (or have been a victim to one) there are ways to protect yourself and your information. One of the easiest ways to do this is to not pick up unknown numbers. If the phone call is legitimate, the caller will leave you a message. If not, they will move on to the next caller on their list.  You can also try installing a Robocall app that will detect and warn you if a scam is likely. Built-in features on iPhones and Androids are starting to label if something is likely spam, but another app may be necessary if you feel there are a lot of calls coming through.  You also want to avoid giving out your personal information as much as possible. Many companies lure you with coupons or incentives to sign you up on their email list, but try to resist the temptation. This is a very common way that people get your information.  Signing up for the do not call list is another step you can take to limit the amount you are contacted. The Do Not Call Registry is a free list designed by the Federal Trade Commission to reduce the number of telemarketing calls. Unfortunately scammers are not going to follow these guidelines, so you will need to take other measures as well.What should you do if you get scammed?If you fall victim to one of these scams, the best thing to do is report it to the FCC. On the consumer complaints page you can file a complaint. If you end up signing a contract you can contact the Better Business Bureau to report it.  In many cases there is no way to undo a scam. If they get your information you may be stuck with the financial repercussions. Contacting the credit bureaus to keep an eye on your credit is incredibly important. If any accounts are opened in your name be sure to report it immediately.  That’s how car warranty scams work and how you can protect yourself.Warranties can save you a lot of headaches, but only when they are, well, real. If you refinance your loan with Auto Approve you can add on a Vehicle Protection Plan that will actually protect you. Contact Auto Approve today to find out more!GET A QUOTE IN 60 SECONDS