Washington DC's 202 area code is frequently used for Social Security and IRS impersonation scams. Fraudsters pretend to be federal agents to threaten you with arrest or offer fake government grants.
Look up any suspicious number using our scam and spam phone number lookup database. It includes over 29 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Getting calls from 202 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof District of Columbia (Washington) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 202 scams based on user comments:
This is one of the most aggressive scams hitting the D.C. area. Callers, often using robocalls or live operators with foreign accents, claim your Social Security Number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity. They create panic by threatening you with an immediate arrest warrant for crimes like drug trafficking or money laundering, sometimes inventing specific scenarios like a car registered in your name being found in Texas with "51lbs of cocaine."
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Problems with your SSN are handled via official, mailed letters, not threatening phone calls demanding immediate action.
"Said I had 37 bank accounts open in Texas and that a car under my name was found with 51lbs of cocaine. They asked who I was banking with and how much money I had in my account and to withdraw all of it because they were going to suspend anything attached to my social security number."
Scammers are calling D.C. residents claiming to be from the IRS, often using fake names like "Agent John Smith" or "Jason Oconner" and providing fake badge numbers. They accuse you of tax evasion or fraud and threaten that a lawsuit has been filed and sheriffs are on their way to arrest you. The goal is to scare you into paying a fake tax debt of thousands of dollars, like one victim who was told to pay "$5,241.00" immediately over the phone.
The real IRS does not call to demand immediate payment using a specific method like a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. They will not threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
"This number called claiming to be 'Jason Oconner' with the IRS. He gave his badge number as '743212'. Claimed I was being charged with 4 different counts of tax fraud and that the sheriffs department were on their way to my home to arrest me. To avoid being arrested I needed to pay them $5,241.00, over the phone."
A very common scam involves callers with heavy accents claiming to be from the "US Treasury Grant Department" or a similar fake agency. They tell you that you've been selected to receive a "free" grant, frequently for exactly $9,000, for being a good citizen who pays your taxes. The catch is that to receive the money, you must first pay an "activation" or "registration" fee, often around $200-$250, by purchasing a Google Play, Green Dot, or eBay gift card from a store like Dollar General or Walmart.
The U.S. government does not call people to award unsolicited grants. You have to apply for federal grants, and they are never awarded based on being a "good citizen." Furthermore, no government agency will ever ask you to pay a fee using a gift card.
"Just like the others who said that they were selected... I would be awarded 9,000 dollars. All I would need to do was visit the nearest western union... I was told to purchase a Google play card worth $100 and activate it and to call back. That's when I knew it was BS."
This is a high-volume harassment scam where robocalls claim to be from "Apple Support." The automated message warns that your iCloud account has been compromised or that suspicious activity has been detected. They will call repeatedly, sometimes over 20 times in a single day, urging you to call them back or press 1 to speak with an agent. Their goal is to gain remote access to your computer to steal your personal and financial information.
Apple does not make unsolicited calls to inform you of a compromised account. These urgent security alerts are typically sent via email or as notifications directly on your Apple devices, guiding you to their official website to resolve any issues.
"Ten calls from various numbers this morning, all asking me to call 202-268-0000. Make that 11... Got a call while entering this complaint! I'm in IT and know this is a scam!"
Scammers are impersonating agents from various D.C.-based federal agencies to intimidate and extort money from residents. They may claim to be from the DEA investigating you for drug trafficking, the FTC regarding a sweepstakes prize, or even Homeland Security about your identity being hacked. They use official-sounding titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate, often demanding payment via gift cards to clear up the fake legal trouble.
Federal agencies like the DEA, FTC, and Homeland Security conduct investigations in person or via official mail. They will never call you to demand money, especially not in the form of gift cards, to clear up a criminal investigation or help you get a new identity.
"Lady identified as angela from dept of homeland security and said my SSN was hacked and someone had created account under my name and transfering money to middle eastern country and asked me that they need to create new documents for me and asked me to go to local stores and create gift cards to make payments to create new documents for my identity."
Many D.C. residents are receiving automated calls that play a recorded message entirely in a language reported to be Chinese or Mandarin. These calls sometimes spoof their Caller ID to appear as the "Chinese Embassy." The recorded messages often create a sense of urgency, with some users reporting the translation is about an "important document" waiting for pickup as a "final notice."
This is a known scam targeting the Chinese-American community. The Chinese embassy and other consular offices do not call people to inform them of packages or legal documents, nor do they request personal information over the phone.
"Received call from this number, it was a recording in Chinese saying there is an important document for me to be picked up from Chinese Embassy and this is the last and final notice. Press 2 for details."
Residents in the 202 area code are receiving frequent, unsolicited calls and voicemails from individuals or companies wanting to buy their homes. These callers, often identifying as "local investors" named "Phil" or "Kristen," claim they want to make a fast, all-cash offer on your property. While not always a scam, this aggressive telemarketing is a major nuisance and often comes from people fishing for undervalued properties.
While some of these may be legitimate (though aggressive) investors, many are phishing attempts to gather personal data or pressure homeowners into selling below market value. A serious buyer would typically work through a licensed real estate agent or send a formal letter, not use persistent cold calls.
"Female with a pleasant voice left a voicemail. 'Hey this is Kristen, again! I'm so, so sorry for leaving those messages, obviously you guys would never consider selling. Well, anyways, my partner Phil and I are local investors and perhaps you know someone...'"
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 202 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in District Of Columbia, United States. Area code 202 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 202 scam types are:
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near District Of Columbia, or have a 202 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Calling back to unknown spam number may incur premium charges or at least confirm your phone number is active and lead to more spam and scam calls.
There are three main ways to reduce spam calls:
It's definitely possible to block all specific area code phone numbers. However, we do not recommend this option because it would also prevent friends, family, doctors, and legitimate businesses from reaching you.
Other District Of Columbia area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: