With scam calls becoming more and more frequent, experts have now even started referring to this phenomenon as a ‘scam economy’. But luckily, there’s a way for people to protect themselves from potentially getting caught up in phone scams. Over 60 million Americans have already reported experiencing some kind of scam related phone calls in 2021.
We can arm ourselves with knowledge about which area codes are most often used by scammers – this way we can be sure to stay safe. However, it is important to keep in mind that these scammers often switch up their phone numbers to remain concealed. To ensure maximum protection against them, having access to a list of known scammer phone numbers might be the best option – it would make avoiding potential scams so much easier!
What Is a Scam Phone Number or Area Code?
If a suspicious phone number or area code is calling you, it’s important to take steps to determine if it is involved in scam activity. A great place to start is by examining the area code of the caller’s phone number. If it matches one of the shady area codes that are known for scams, this should immediately set off alarm bells.
Additionally, you can use Google to search the phone number itself and see if it’s been featured on any scam watch list websites. Doing so may uncover reports from people who have already answered calls from this suspicious number and warn you what could happen if you choose to answer.
List of Scam Phone Number Area Codes
When you receive a call from an unfamiliar area code, it can be nerve-wracking trying to figure out who might be on the other end of the line. Unfortunately, there are certain area codes that have become notorious for being used by scammers when making calls. The U.S. has more than 300 area codes in circulation, and while most are safe to answer, there are 19 in particular that should be avoided at all costs.
Here are some common scam area codes:
- 876 – Jamaica
- 954 – Florida
- 718 – New York
- 646 – New York
- 323 – California
- 310 – California
- 212 – New York
- 347 – New York
- 404 – Georgia
- 713 – Texas
- 281 – Texas
- 832 – Texas
- 470 – Georgia
- 14.678 – Georgia
- 912 – Georgia
- 614 – Ohio
- 440 – Ohio
- 419 – Ohio
- 330 – Ohio
Knowing these area codes ahead of time can save you and your loved ones a great deal of hassle, time, and money in case one turns up on your caller ID. By proactively staying informed about the potential scams that lurk inside some area codes and being prepared to recognize them if they appear on your phone screen, you can protect yourself from ever having to deal with a scammer head-on!
Common Scams to Watch Out For
Today’s tech-savvy world has unfortunately opened the door to phone scams. From one-ring scams, in which scammers call and quickly hang up in an attempt to lure victims into expensive return calls, to traffic-pumping schemes that con people into investing and paying hefty fees for “unheard of” stocks, and package delivery scams where fraudsters pretend to be from a legitimate delivery service, these ploys can be difficult to detect but have costly consequences for unsuspecting victims.
It pays to read about common scams such as these so that you are aware of potential threats. Here are some common scams to look out for:
One Ring
One-ring scams have become a popular way for scammers to part you from your hard-earned money. By using robo-dialers, criminals dial many numbers in a row, hoping that some of those numbers will be answered. When someone does answer the phone and then immediately hangs up as it was only one single ring, people tend to call back out of curiosity or concern and get hit with hefty charges.
These unwanted calls can quickly add up to high fees on your phone bill, so it is important to be aware of how this type of scam works in order to avoid becoming the victim of these deceptive tactics.
Traffic Pumping
Traffic pumping scams involve one carrier increasing their revenues by forming arrangements with other companies to artificially inflate the number of calls made and subsequently collect more access fees. This type of scam puts an unnecessary strain on the whole phone services industry, resulting in higher prices for everyone.
Fortunately, watch dogs are monitoring these schemes in order to protect consumers from being taken advantage of by companies looking to exploit loopholes in the system, making sure that callers are not financially punished as a result of someone else’s greed.
Package Delivery
As shopping online has become the norm in recent years, unfortunately so have package delivery scams. By phishing techniques, scammers use the promise of a free prize to lure victims onto fake feedback pages. Typically starting with either a text message or voicemail regarding a package delivery, if you click on the link provided or call back expecting to receive your package, you’ll instead be taken to a page masquerading as Amazon or another reputable site.
If you fill out your information on that page, criminals already have all they need to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. To keep from falling for this scam, remember that legitimate organizations like Amazon never send unsolicited messages about prizes or individual packages and will never ask for personal information upfront.
Not Sure if It’s a Scam? Use PeopleFinders
It can seem overwhelming when trying to keep up with the most current list of scam phone numbers. After all, scammers are sneaky, and new numbers are popping up all the time! The best way to ensure you’re always in the know is by doing a reverse phone lookup with PeopleFinders.
With this service at your disposal, you’ll be able to quickly check any number and make sure your caller isn’t nefarious in nature. Don’t leave yourself exposed – join PeopleFinders today and get peace of mind knowing you won’t be taken off guard by a pesky scammer.
