Never Answer Calls From These Area Codes

Don’t let scammers fool you! Phone scams are more common than ever, and if you’re not careful, these calls could lead to costly fees or even stolen personal information. Knowing which area codes are commonly linked to scams can help you avoid falling for these tricks. Here are the top area codes to steer clear of.

Common Scams Linked to Unknown Area Codes

Phone scams come in many forms, but they all share a similar goal: to get you to hand over your money or personal information. Some common scams include “one-ring” scams, where scammers hang up after one ring, hoping you’ll call back and incur hefty international charges. Other scams involve fake prize notifications, urgent “frozen account” alerts, and bogus student loan offers. In each case, scammers create a sense of urgency to make you act quickly, without thinking.

Area Codes Commonly Used in Scams

Here's a list of area codes frequently used in phone scams. If you don’t recognize a number and see one of these area codes, it’s best to let the call go to voicemail.

809 - Dominican Republic

473 - Grenada

876 - Jamaica

232 - Sierra Leone

441 - Bermuda

649 - Turks and Caicos

284- British Virgin Islands

246 - Barbados

868 - Trinidad and Tobago

758 - St. Lucia

234 - Nigeria

+91 - India

+92 - Pakistan

+7 - Russia

How to Stay Safe

It’s best to avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers, especially those from area codes you don’t recognize. Let unknown calls go to voicemail, and if it’s important, they’ll leave a message.

If you accidentally answer a scam call, follow these tips:

• Don’t say “yes” right away.

• Avoid feeling pressured to act quickly.

• Confirm the caller’s number with the organization they claim to be from.

• Never share sensitive information.

• If you accidentally share personal info, report it to the FTC at Reportfraud.ftc.gov

• Lastly, hang up and block confirmed scam numbers.

Don’t let scammers win! By spotting these tricks and staying alert, you can stop phone scams in their tracks and protect your personal information. Remember, if something feels off, it probably is - hang up, block, and report to stay one step ahead!

References: Avoid Answering Calls from These Area Codes: Scam Phone Numbers Guide | Scammer Phone Numbers: Beware of These Area Codes