Calls/Emails from Car Dealerships I never went to/applied to?

[ChrisFL]

Let me preface this by saying that I have lifelock and account security measures in place, including locking my credit report temporarily....so I've got safeguards in place.

Now, having said that, a few weeks back I started getting calls and emails from various Hyundai/Kia dealers in the Miami Florida area. I live north of Tampa and have NOT been shopping for a car in the past 3 years. I sent an email reply to a few dealers that this was in error and they stopped contacting me, but today I'm starting to get calls again.

Anyone else have this happen? I searched online and it seems that it has happened to others but just with a phone number, which is easy enough to get wrong...but both phone # and email is concerning.

 

[fla4fun]

It could be that your data was sold to Hyundai/Kia by a legitimate third party. It doesn’t have to be due to hacking or something nefarious, although it can be (and I am glad you put safeguards in place). If you have been to any Hyundai or Kia dealership ever, that information could possibly be accessible to all of their dealers as well. I have driven between Tampa and Orlando for a good car deal, but I think Miami would be pushing my distance envelope a little too far. The business may feel they have nothing to lose by trying.

If it is the same handful of dealerships calling repeatedly, and you have never done business with them, I would make sure my phone number was on the Do Not Call list, and follow the process so that if they do not stop, they have to pay for every violation. You do have to tell them you are on the list and not to contact you, but once that has happened, they are fined if they continue.

I hope you are able to find a way to make it stop.

 

[Belle1962]

Put a freeze on your credit.

 

[_19disnA]

I don't think it is any big deal. Perhaps a dealer or some other 3rd party as mentioned above sent around contact information to other dealers looking to drum up business. I would not answer their phone calls and delete any unwanted emails, probably just advertisement.

 

[ChrisFL]

Put a freeze on your credit.

I did that

 

[tvguy]

Regarding the calls, the Do Not Call List is a joke. Any business or any of their affiliates that you have EVER done business with is exempt. In your instance if you ever did business with.......or even called..... a Hyundai or Kia dealership, you are have given them permission to contact you under the Do Not Call List law. Never done business with a Hyundai or Kia Dealership? Maybe they are owned by the same dealership group that you may have done business with involving a different car brand. They are allowed to contact you.
And of course, all political groups and charities are also exempt, even if you never had contacted them. Funny how politicians made sure THEY were exempt.

 

[Planogirl]

Be sure and check your reports if you haven’t yet. I would look for any unfamiliar hard inquiries just in case.