Maryland's 240 area code is being used for Social Security suspension threats and IRS arrest scams. Callers pretend to be federal agents to scare you into handing over money or personal details.
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 240 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Maryland (Germantown, Silver Spring, Waldorf) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 240 scams based on user comments:
Residents in Maryland are receiving a high volume of robocalls claiming your Social Security Number (SSN) has been compromised or used in "suspicious activities" in states like Texas or California. The automated message threatens to suspend your SSN and issue an arrest warrant if you don't call them back immediately to avoid legal proceedings.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will never call you to threaten suspension of your benefits or demand payment. The SSA primarily communicates through official U.S. Mail, not with aggressive, threatening robocalls.
"we have received a legal affidavit to suspend your Social Security number on the media basis to get more information about this case file give us a call back on our number..."
This aggressive scam involves callers pretending to be from the IRS. They leave voicemails claiming a lawsuit has been filed against you and an arrest warrant will be issued if you don't comply. One caller, identifying himself as "William Martin," demanded a Maryland resident go to a CVS or Walgreens and pay $1,000 with a prepay card to avoid being arrested.
The IRS's first contact with a taxpayer is always via U.S. Mail. They will never demand immediate payment over the phone, especially not with gift cards, nor will they threaten to have you arrested by local police.
"Person called wife saying he was with the IRS and threatened an arrest warrant would be issued if she didn't go the nearest CVS or Walgreens and get a $1000 prepay card."
Scammers are calling 240 numbers posing as debt collectors or process servers, threatening legal action for old or entirely fake debts. They claim a case has been filed against you and that you will be served at your home or workplace if you don't pay. They often use fake names like "Sarah Smith" and refuse to provide any written documentation of the supposed debt.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they simply show up. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, legitimate debt collectors must provide you with a written debt validation notice upon request.
"They called me and told me a lender I never heard of is looking to garnish my wages. They had my full name and social security number."
This scam involves a call telling you that you've been selected for a government grant, often for a specific amount like "$9,000" or "$14,566," from agencies like the "US Treasury" or "National Institute of Health." The catch is that you must first pay a "registration fee" of around $200 using a wire transfer, MoneyGram, or even eBay gift cards before you can receive your money.
Real government agencies do not call citizens to award unsolicited grants. Furthermore, they would never require you to pay a processing fee using gift cards, Western Union, or MoneyGram.
"Said they were calling from the National Institute of Health to tell me I have a $14,600 grant from the government. Wanted me to pay $200 registration fee."
This cruel scam targets Marylanders, particularly seniors, with a frantic call from someone pretending to be a grandchild. The caller claims to have been in a car accident, arrested, and in desperate need of money for bail. They prey on your emotions and urge you to send funds immediately before other family members find out.
Law enforcement agencies and courts do not accept bail money in the form of gift cards. This is a classic scam tactic because the funds are untraceable and impossible to recover.
"Called my father-in-law twice and told him my daughter had been in an accident and he needed to send money to take care of it or they would get the cops involved."
One of the most frequent nuisance calls reported in the 240 area code are robocalls about your car's extended warranty. A pre-recorded message warns that your vehicle's warranty is expiring and urges you to speak with a "specialist" to avoid costly repairs. These calls are often illegal and aim to sell you overpriced and unnecessary service contracts.
These calls are almost always from unrelated third-party sellers, not your car's manufacturer or the dealership where you bought it. If you haven't given them explicit consent to contact you, these robocalls are illegal.
"Harassing Auto Warranty Scam call. I get about 30 of these a month, all from different numbers."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 240 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Maryland, United States. Area code 240 is a general purpose code that has been in service since June 1, 1997.
Most common 240 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 Maryland, or have a 240 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 Maryland area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: