The 253 area code is a telephone area code serving parts of Washington state. Look up any phone number starting with 253 area code. Results may include:
Federal Data
State Data
County Data
City Data
The 253 area code is targeted by fake legal action threats and government impersonation scams. Callers claim you are in trouble with the SSA or IRS to pressure you into paying fines.
A robocall message claims a formal complaint or legal judgment is filed against you and threatens to contact your HR department or serve you papers at home or work. Scammers use fake names like "Client Services" and provide phony case numbers like "KBH79210" or "RPB28560" to seem legitimate, then pressure you to call back a different number to resolve a debt that does not exist. They use your panic and fear of workplace embarrassment to trick you into calling back and giving them money or personal information. Real process servers do not call first. They show up.
"Calling stating last chance to be able to state my side on a complaint. Will be reaching out to my HR, etc. I get these types of call at least every six months when they reuse their list. Block the call on your phone, don't answer and report it as fraud/scam to your service provider."
Scammers spoof local 253 numbers and pretend to be from the Social Security Administration or IRS, leaving urgent robocall voicemails claiming your Social Security Number has been suspended due to "fraudulent activity" or that the "cops" will be involved if you don't call back immediately. Some callers identify themselves with fake names like "officer John" and threaten you with an arrest warrant before the matter "goes to federal claims court." They use your Social Security Number and any personal information you give them to steal your identity or open accounts in your name. The Social Security Administration and IRS never call to threaten arrest. They use official U.S. Mail.
"Threatening phone call, 'Before this matter goes to federal claims court house or you get arrested. Kindly call us back on the same number immediately.'"
Callers with foreign accents claim to be from a government office and offer a fake government grant for a large sum like $9,000 or $14,000 that you "never have to pay back," but they require you to first pay a "registration fee" of several hundred dollars by purchasing gift cards at Walmart or Walgreens and providing the numbers over the phone. They take your gift card money and you never receive any grant. The federal government does not call citizens to award grants. Real grants never require upfront fees.
"Wants you to purchase gift cards in exchange for them depositing $15000.00 into your account, they also 'need' your account number to make the deposit. Unfortunately I got taken for $4500.00."
Callers begin with phrases like "This is [Name] on a recorded line, can you hear me?" or identify themselves as a "hearing administrator" or from a "homeowners association," then hang up as soon as you respond to their initial question. They record your "yes" response and use that voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges on your credit card or phone bill. Legitimate companies do not need to trick you into saying "yes" to conduct business.
"I picked up my phone, but, I said nothing. She gave her name and said she was a 'hearing administrator' then asked 'can you hear me?' I hung up."
Callers using names like "Ryan from Century 21" or "Keith" have your address and try to pressure you into a quick cash sale, often from noisy boiler-room style call centers where you can hear other callers in the background. Ryan cannot pronounce the city where the property is located and they become evasive or hang up when you ask how they got your number. They use your address and contact information to build lead lists they sell to other real estate investors or to run more targeted scams against homeowners. These are not serious offers on your home. They are fishing for desperate sellers.
"Ryan keeps calling on the hour wanting to sell my house. Cannot pronounce the city where it is located and can hear fellow boiler-room scammers buzzing in the background. Con artists who are dialing for dollars and fishing for suckers."
Scammers impersonate major companies like Amazon, Apple, and Norton Security with robocalls saying someone ordered an expensive item on your Amazon account and to "press 1 to allow or 2 to decline," or emails claiming your Norton subscription is auto-renewing for $499 with a number to call to cancel that is different from the official company support line. They use your credit card details to make fraudulent charges or get remote access to your computer to steal your personal files and banking information. Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft never call about suspicious activity. They handle notifications through their secure websites and official apps.
"Caller claimed to be from Amazon and stated someone was trying to use my Amazon card - very specific about what was ordered and how much (robocall) asking to press 1 to allow or 2 to decline. I hung up and checked with Amazon - not them"
Area Code 253 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(253) 214-4394
2 reports ·
(253) 648-1717
2 reports ·
(253) 342-1592
2 reports ·
(253) 645-1188
2 reports ·
(253) 366-5400
2 reports ·
(253) 485-8439
2 reports ·
(253) 375-3408
2 reports ·
(253) 204-3350
2 reports ·
(253) 204-7654
2 reports ·
(253) 238-2462
2 reports ·
No, 253 is a genuine area code for the Tacoma and south Puget Sound region of Washington State. Scammers spoof 253 numbers to impersonate local authorities and businesses.
Because the area is home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, SSA and IRS robocalls threatening arrest warrants and federal court action flood the region. Federal grant scams demanding Walmart gift cards and "Can You Hear Me?" voice capture schemes disguised as homeowners association surveys also run heavily here.
Area code 253 covers cities in King County south of Seattle, the southern Puget Sound area centered at Tacoma, and extends to areas around Gig Harbor, Auburn, and Roy. It also serves the western half of Pierce County, as well as southern King County.
Area code 253 is slated to participate in the overlay complex 564 , which has been active since 2017 in NPA 360 . This overlay was created when central office code exhaustion demanded relief.
Area code 253 is a general purpose code which was placed in service on April 27, 1997.
| Rate Center | Number of Prefixes |
|---|---|
| TACOMA | 196 |
| AUBURN | 59 |
| KENT | 40 |
| TACOMAWVLY | 37 |
| DES MOINES | 22 |
| PUYALLUP | 22 |
| GIG HARBOR | 16 |
| SUMNER | 12 |
| GRAHAM | 9 |
| ROY | 3 |
Browse Washington area codes for phone number lookup: