Recall rip-off preys on Toyota owners misdialing a Toll-free Number

By The Denver Post

Posted: 02/18/2010 01:00:00 AM MST

Updated: 02/18/2010 02:04:06 AM MST

It didn't take long for scammers to latch on to the recall troubles at Toyota and turn the company's headaches into a rip-off payday.

The scam relies on consumers misdialing the car company's toll-free telephone number by a single digit. Instead of the vehicle-recall folks, callers get a recorded message quickly telling them of a surcharge they'll pay for calling yet another number, the Better Business Bureau warns.

Toyota's recall number is 800-331-4331. Consumers who call receive information regarding the vehicles subject to the massive recall regarding sticking gas pedals.

The scammers grabbed the toll-free number that ends with 4431, hoping some callers would simply misdial.

They are directed to another number because of the volume of calls. The other number charges them $5.96 and asks for personal information such as a Social Security number.

BBB officials warn consumers to ensure they have the right number.
David Migoya, The Denver Post

Perhaps this is an example of why Toyota should have set up a VANITY toll-free number.  People wouldn't misdial because they would recall the letters and word in the vanity number better than they recall the numbers of the numeric toll-free. 

Call 1-800-NEW-SALES to learn more about how a vanity number, like 1-800-NEW-PARTS, could have saved Toyota's customers time and money.