442 area code phone numbers reported to the FTC in the last 30 days:
| Phone Number | Complaints | Last Reported |
|---|---|---|
| (442) 261-4140 | ||
| (442) 393-3015 | ||
| (442) 243-5688 | ||
| (442) 460-0283 | ||
| (442) 276-4557 | ||
| (442) 240-0179 | ||
| (442) 242-3168 | ||
| (442) 276-5395 | ||
| (442) 999-2036 | ||
| (442) 208-7291 |
The 442 area code is known for fake utility shut-off threats and health insurance phishing. Callers pretend to be from the power company and demand payment to keep your lights on.
Threatens 40-minute power shutoffs and demands immediate Zelle transfers to steal money.
"Said His name was James Peters and that a technician was 40 minutes away to turn my power off- Had me Zelle him $200 and then said he made an error and said I needed to pay $600 to keep my services on. I found my bill and payment is not due until 6/9- I was scammed out of $200 - lesson learned..."
Spoofs insurance caller IDs to verify personal health data and commit medical identity theft.
"August 18 2020 received a call, did not answer. They left a message stating they were from WellCare and needed information from me and to call back the this same number. I contacted WellCare and they have NO RECORD of anyone calling me. Please be extremely careful."
Automated threats of criminal charges for SSN involvement in crime to extract PII and money.
"Robo scam / fraudulent / leaves voice mail threatening criminal charges if number provided is not called. DO NOT ANSWER!"
Aggressively solicits funds for fake injured firefighter or police balls, refusing to provide charity details.
"I answered. Man with strong NY accent asked if I'd donate to fund for helping injured firefighters... I replied that my spouse was a firefighter and that I make all such donations through our local firefighters union. Jeez, no thank you, no nothing. Just hung up."
Robocalls claiming account compromise to trick users into granting remote PC access or handing over passwords.
"Call was a recorded call with pressing '1' for technician. Call claimed to be from AOL. I asked 'how do I know that this is AOL?' Technician hung up!"
Offers fake student loan cancellation programs to steal upfront fees and identities from people without loans.
"Just received a call from this number that states I'm eligible for student loans forgiveness, but I don't have any student loans as I paid these off years ago."
Area code 442 covers much of the southeastern and southernmost portions of California.
Area code 442 is an overlay to area code 760 . Area code 760 was created in 1997 and area code 442 was added in 2009. Since 2009 all users in the region have been required to include the area code even when dialing local calls.
Spanning a wide swath of Southern California - from the Mojave Desert to the Imperial Valley - the 442 area code covers Oceanside, Palm Springs, and Victorville. Callers include Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton housing administrators, Palm Springs timeshare sales agents, and renewable energy land surveyors.