News

Media Inquiries

We welcome inquiries from journalists and the media. Please call Executive Director Chris Carenza at (314) 667-5654.

Latest Press Releases

The most recent press releases for the Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) are available below:

• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Applauds the Federal Trade Commission's Action to Uphold Ban on Illegal Robocalling (May 17, 2013) — The FTC charged CallFire, which provides "voice broadcasting" services, with illegal robocalling.
• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Announces Certification of Repair Defense Network (April 26, 2013) — Repair Defense Network joins other call centers on the VPAs Certified Marketers Council.
• Vehicle Protection Association Supports Sentencing in US Fidelis Case (October 1, 2012) — The VPA applauds the recent sentencing handed down to Cory and Darain Atkinson, former co-owners of auto service contract seller US Fidelis.
• Vehicle Protection Association Supports Community Involvement by Member Companies (September 21, 2012) — The VPA announces its plans to promote certified marketers and their community involvement, including the sponsorship of youth charity at annual golf tournament.
• Vehicle Protection Association Supports Community Involvement by Member Companies (September 21, 2012) — The VPA announces its plans to promote certified marketers and their community involvement, including the sponsorship of youth charity at annual golf tournament.
• Vehicle Protection Association Applauds $14 Million Consumer Restitution Settlement in US Fidelis Bankruptcy Case (July 25, 2012) — Darain and Cory Atkinson, former co-owners of US Fidelis, which was once the nation’s largest auto service contract vendor, were indicted earlier this year on various charges after the company filed for bankruptcy in 2010. The agreement, approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court, creates a $14 million consumer restitution fund for US Fidelis customers.
• Car Owners Turn to Vehicle Service Contracts from Vehicle Protection Association Members to Extend the Life of Their Vehicles (July 17, 2012) — Consumers looking to protect their vehicles have the option of purchasing a vehicle service contract from a VPA-certified member. The Vehicle Protection Association, or VPA, is the leading authority for the automotive service contract industry.
• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Announces Annual Meeting September 9-10, 2012 in Las Vegas (July 13, 2012) — Members will meet to discuss the association's ongoing efforts to promote regulatory transparency, education, and accountability for marketing and servicing of automotive service contracts.
• Vehicle Protection Association Offers Tips for Fourth of July Travel (July 3, 2012) — The VPA keeps offers consumers a comprehensive list of safety tips before hitting the road, including inspecting tires, cleaning car battery, checking oil, and more.
• Vehicle Protection Association Backs Legal Action Against Industry Fraudsters (June 20, 2012) — The VPA announced its support for the prosecution of industry fraudsters Cory Atkinson and Robert Dolan. Both pleaded guilty to charges of fraud in unrelated federal cases.
• Vehicle Protection Association Supports Prosecution of Fraudsters (April 11, 2012) — The VPA has announced its support for the prosecution of Darain and Cory Atkinson, former owners of US Fidelis. Darain Atkinson pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and filing false tax returns.
• Vehicle Protection Association Supports Federal Trade Commission Settlement on Robocalling (April 2, 2012) — The VPA has announced its support for the Federal Trade Commission’s telemarketing settlement with two telemarketing companies that illegally called millions of consumers. The settlement requires the defendants to cease all robodialing activity and forfeit approximately $3 million in assets.
• Vehicle Protection Association Names Chris Carenza Executive Director (March 5, 2012) — The VPA has announced the appointment of Chris Carenza as its new executive director. The VPA board approved Carenza’s appointment, effective immediately.
• Vehicle Protection Association Issues Advisory Notice to Consumers Regarding Robo-Dialing (January 18, 2012) — The VPA has issued a consumer advisory notice urging consumers to purchase vehicle service contracts only from VPA-certified sellers and to avoid doing business with companies that engage in robo-dialing.
• Vehicle Protection Association Elects New Board Officers (November 4, 2011) — The Vehicle Protection Association (VPA), a trade association for the vehicle service contracts industry, continues to grow a leadership team that works for the benefit of the association’s members, the industry and its customers.
• AA Auto Protection Successfully Completes VPA Certification-Audit Program (October 18, 2011) — As the latest company to be certified by the Vehicle Protection Association, AA Auto Protection has demonstrated that its practices comply with federal and state laws and maintain standards of conduct set by the VPA.
• New VPA Board Members Elected (September 23, 2011) — The Vehicle Protection Association (VPA), a trade association for the vehicle service contracts industry, has evolved its leadership team as it continues to work for the benefit of the association's members, the industry and its customers.
• National Vehicle Protection Services, Inc. Attains Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Certification (August 1, 2011) — Longtime VPA member passes industry certification tests for compliance with association standards of conduct and federal and state laws.
• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) to Hold Annual Meeting in Las Vegas on September 26, 2011 (July 11, 2011) — Members will meet to discuss the association's ongoing efforts to promote regulatory transparency, education, and accountability for marketing and servicing of automotive service contracts.
• The Facts Regarding Vehicle Service Contracts and "Extended Car Warranties" (June 30, 2011) — Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) sets the record straight on common myths and misperceptions concerning the vehicle service contracts industry.
• Vehicle Protection Association Cites Industry's Progress While Supporting Criminal Charges Against US Fidelis Founders (June 20, 2011) — Industry reform initiatives protect consumers against bad actors who fail to do right by consumers.
• Vehicle Protection Association Issues Enhanced Standards of Conduct for Automotive Service Contract Vendors (April 26, 2011) — Industry trade association modifies industry standards of conduct to further protect consumers.
• American Automotive Service Earns Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Certification (February 15, 2011) — Missouri vehicle service contracts firm passes industry certification tests regarding adherence to association standards of conduct and compliance with federal and state laws.
• CarSafe Receives Certification from the Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) (February 10, 2011) — CarSafe has been independently verified as adhering to industry standards of conduct and has therefore been certified by the VPA.
• Endurance Auto Protection Receives Certification from the Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) (February 2, 2012) — Endurance Auto Protection is the eighth vehicle service contracts firm to pass the VPA's certification hurdles regarding adherence to industry standards of conduct and compliance with federal and state laws.
• Vehicle Service Contracts Industry Applauds Federal Actions Against Robo-Dialers (December 20, 2010) — While most firms followed rules, company that disregarded them will be punished.
• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Announces Certification of Carhill Enterprises (December 9, 2010) — Carhill Enterprises has enhanced business processes, company policies and staff training to meet VPA standards of conduct and comply with federal and state laws as part of the certification process.
• Vehicle Protection Association Welcomes Three New Board Members (December 1, 2010) — Expansion in leadership roster for vehicle service contracts industry trade association sets a solid foundation to build on strong track record to date and accomplish goals for 2011.
• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Announces Certification of US Auto Protection (September 10, 2010) — US Auto Protection was evaluated on several standards of conduct and compliance with federal and state laws as part of the certification process.
• Vehicle Assurance Qualifies for Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Certification (September 7, 2010) — The Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) announced today that Vehicle Assurance has completed the VPA's Certification-Audit Program.
• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) Announces Certification of StopRepairBills.com (August 24, 2010) — Companies that pass the rigorous evaluation process can display the Vehicle Protection Association Certification logo on their marketing materials as a sign to consumers that they are a good company to work with.
• Nationwide Automotive Protection Receives Certification from the Vehicle Protection Association (August 24, 2010) — Certified companies are evaluated on several standards of conduct and compliance with federal and state laws to ensure they are protecting consumers and honestly representing services provided.
• Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) to Hold Annual Meeting in Las Vegas on September 13, 2010 (June 30, 2010) — Members will meet to discuss the association's ongoing efforts to promote regulatory transparency, education, and accountability for marketing and servicing of automotive service contracts.
• Vehicle Protection Association Offers Members On-Line Learning Program for Recently Approved Standards of Conduct (December 28, 2009) — Sessions will educate member companies on the details of the code of conduct that the VPA has established to protect the best interests of consumers and help members comply with federal and state laws.
• Vehicle Protection Association Supports Proposed Statutes That Seek to Put an End to Call ID Spoofing (November 18, 2009) — Trade association for automotive service contract firms pledges support to put an end to telemarketing tactics that deceive consumers.
• Vehicle Protection Association Acts In Advance of Missouri Attorney General Enforcement Cases Against Certain Automotive Service Contract Vendors (November 12, 2009) — Industry trade association notes the Attorney General's lawsuits intended to protect consumers while citing progress on industry reform via the VPA's Certification-Audit Program and new Standards of Conduct.
• Vehicle Protection Association Approves Industry Standards (November 10, 2009) — Adoption of industry standards defines a code of conduct for automotive service contract industry that will protect the best interests of consumers.
• Vehicle Protection Association Launches Certification-Audit Program to Evaluate Member Companies (September 29, 2009) — Certification-Audit Program will provide consumers with information about which companies are in compliance with Vehicle Protection Association standards and state and federal laws.
• Vehicle Protection Association Applauds New FTC Robo-Calling Regulations (September 1, 2009) — Trade association for firms that market or service automotive service contracts pledges support to put an end to phone spammers.
• Vehicle Protection Association Adopts New Name (July 21, 2009) — New name broadens organizational scope in light of increased emphasis on consumer protection.
• VPA Offers Regulatory Training to Members (July 21, 2009) — Firms in the automotive service contracts industry will receive comprehensive training on regulatory compliance in upcoming VPA workshop.