The 256 area code is a telephone area code serving North Alabama and an eastern part of the state. Look up any phone number starting with 256 area code. Results may include:
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The 256 area code is being used for aggressive debt collection threats and Social Security scams. Callers claim your social security number is suspended to get you to verify your identity.
Scammers call pretending to be from law offices or mediation companies like "Global Financial," claiming you owe a debt. They threaten to serve legal papers at your home or workplace, mention "pending actions" or a "civil complaint" against you, and refuse to give you a company name or mailing address when asked. They use aggressive and degrading language to scare you. If you give them personal information like your address or Social Security number, they use it to make the threats seem more real and may sell your data to other scammers. Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you. They show up.
"My 81 year old mother was contacted by Global Financial a collection agency and said she was being contacted for a debt that hadn't been paid...They told my mother that they were sending an investigator named Anthony Albert to her home with forms to fill out and they were going to take legal action against her if she didn't take action or pay the debt."
A robocall claims your Social Security number has been "suspended" or "frozen" due to suspicious activity. The automated message demands you press 1 to speak with an agent immediately to avoid legal action. When you press 1, they ask you to confirm your name, date of birth, and full Social Security number to "verify" your identity. They use your Social Security number to open credit accounts and commit identity theft. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten you or tell you that your number has been suspended. They conduct official business through U.S. Mail.
"It is a recording saying that they are from Security administration saying that my SS number was suspended because of suspicious activity. then you have to press number 1. I immediately hung up."
Callers repeatedly try to sell you an extended auto warranty, calling multiple times a day for weeks. They don't know what kind of car you drive or if you even own one, can't provide specific details about your current vehicle or warranty, and become hostile or insult you when you say you're not interested. They collect your personal information and payment details to sell you overpriced, worthless warranty plans that cover almost nothing. These are third-party marketing companies, not your car's manufacturer. Legitimate companies do not harass you with daily calls.
"very rude man.. calls me everyday about a warranty on my car. I reply I'm not interested and for him to not call my phone again. he continues to talk and I gave him a few choice words. and he continued to talk. hung up and blocked the number."
Scammers target residents nearing age 65 with unsolicited calls about Medicare supplements and health insurance, even calling people not yet 65. They use official-sounding names like "Health Care Benefits" or caller ID "Stefanee Care," and callers like "Lynnette with the Medicare Dept" use generic titles instead of specific company names. They refuse to remove you from their list and hang up when questioned. They collect your Medicare or Social Security number to commit identity theft or sell you unnecessary, overpriced insurance plans. The official Medicare program will not call you to sell you anything. Government representatives only call if you are already a client and gave them permission.
"I am approaching 65 years old and my phone has stayed hot with calls from this number for weeks trying to sell me medicare supplement insurance. Robocall, agent picks up after I answer. I have asked to remove my name from the calling list with several of the agents, but the calls still keep coming."
This scam leaves voicemails claiming an "arrest warrant" has been filed against you by the IRS. The message says you are being sued by the "US Govt" and demands an immediate call back to avoid arrest, using extreme urgency to make you panic. When you call back, they demand you pay a fake fine with gift cards or wire transfers to avoid being arrested. The IRS's first contact is always through official U.S. Mail, not a threatening phone call. The IRS will never threaten to have you arrested over the phone.
"left me a message saying I have an arrest warrant filed under my name by the internal revenue service and I need to call them to get it resolved."
Scammers call or text claiming there's an issue with an Amazon order, mentioning specific charges like "$349.00" or saying a package could not be delivered. They create alerts about suspicious charges or frozen accounts that don't show up when you log in directly, claim delivery failed for items you never ordered, and ask for your personal identifying information to "verify" your account. They use your login details and credit card information to make real purchases on your account or steal your identity. Amazon will not call you to confirm orders or tell you your account is frozen. All official notifications are in your secure account portal.
"Got a phone call from 256-662-6604 and they left message saying Amazon is charging my account $349.00. I have not order anything from Amazon."
Area Code 256 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(256) 208-9694
5 reports ·
(256) 275-8236
4 reports ·
(256) 371-4916
3 reports ·
(256) 562-8910
3 reports ·
(256) 697-1113
2 reports ·
(256) 961-7477
2 reports ·
(256) 485-6622
2 reports ·
(256) 936-1161
2 reports ·
(256) 342-9197
2 reports ·
(256) 376-8609
2 reports ·
No, 256 is a legitimate area code serving northern Alabama, including Huntsville and Decatur. Huntsville's status as a defense hub makes 256 an active, trusted prefix that scammers heavily spoof.
Medicare fraud is highly active here, with callers using names like "Lynnette with the Medicare Dept" to push high-pressure pitches. Fake Amazon alerts citing specific $349 orders and IRS arrest warrant voicemails threatening immediate legal action are also distinctive to this area code.
The 256 area code covers north and northeast Alabama and includes the following metropolitan areas:
Area code 256 is part of an overlay complex with area code 938 . Area code 256 was created in 1998. Area code 938 was added in 2010. Ten-digit dialing is required in this area.
Area code 256 is a general purpose code which was placed in service on March 23, 1998.
| Rate Center | Number of Prefixes |
|---|---|
| HUNTSVILLE | 110 |
| DECATUR | 33 |
| ANNISTON | 27 |
| GADSDEN | 25 |
| CULLMAN | 22 |
| FLORENCE | 21 |
| ATHENS | 17 |
| ALEXANDRCY | 13 |
| GUNTERSVL | 12 |
| SYLACAUGA | 12 |
| MADISON | 11 |
| TALLADEGA | 10 |
| ALBERTVL | 9 |
| FORT PAYNE | 8 |
| Other | 135 |
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