North Carolina's 252 area code is seeing many Social Security arrest threats and vehicle warranty calls. Fraudsters try to intimidate you with legal action or sell you worthless service contracts.
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 252 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof North Carolina (Greenville, Rocky Mount, Wilson) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 252 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are robocalling North Carolina residents, falsely claiming a lawsuit or "legal words" have been filed against your Social Security Number for fraudulent activity or money laundering. The message threatens you with an arrest warrant and instructs you to press 1 to speak with an "agent" or "police."
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten your benefits or tell you that you face arrest. They communicate through official U.S. mail, not threatening robocalls.
"This message carefully this message is to inform you that SSA and legal enforcement agency is filing a legal words against your name and your Social Security number for fraudulent activity and arrest warrant has also been issued on your name for money laundering..."
You may receive persistent calls about an expiring or expired warranty on your car, sometimes mentioning a specific vehicle you don't even own, like a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. Scammers, sometimes identifying themselves as "Mazda Underwriters" or "national dealer services," will try to sell you a worthless or overpriced service plan.
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer or dealership. Legitimate companies will contact you via mail with official documents about your warranty status, not through aggressive, unsolicited robocalls.
"A lady named Staci demanded to speak to my husband after she identified herself as Mazda Underwriters...When I continued to ask questions about what the call was about she said, well, we'll just come pick up the car then. We have no loans through a Mazda Underwriter."
Scammers in Eastern North Carolina are calling residents about Medicare, often trying to get personal information to send you an unneeded back or knee brace. Others, sometimes claiming to be from "Lab 24," will offer a "free cancer screening kit" to get your Medicare number for fraudulent billing.
Medicare does not call beneficiaries to sell them products or offer free screening kits. Medical equipment and tests must be prescribed by your own doctor, not a telemarketer.
"I just got a call with a foreign speaking female asking if I would like a free cancer screening kit sent to my home--said she works in a lab and they are working with Medicare--then asked if I wanted to speak to a specialist-and I told her I'm sure this is a scam-and hung up."
Scammers are impersonating well-known causes to trick you into donating. Callers may claim to be from the "NC Troopers Association," "Police & Trooper Association," or a "Women's Cancer Fund," often using high-pressure tactics or overly familiar scripts to get your credit card number.
Legitimate law enforcement agencies and charities do not solicit donations via cold calls from paid telemarketers. These calls are almost always from for-profit fundraisers that give a tiny fraction, if any, to the actual cause.
"THEY PRETENDED TO BE THE FIREFIGHTER SUPPORTER LINE ASKING ME FOR MONEY. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME THE TAX ID NUMBER AND HUNG UP."
These scams use fear to get you to pay for a non-existent debt or legal issue. You may receive a robocall threatening to "file charges on you in 24 hours" or a vague message stating that a "complaint has been filed against you" and you must call "National Mediation" with a case number.
Real debt collectors and court officials do not make initial contact with threats of immediate arrest. You would be served official papers in person or receive a formal notice in the mail, not a frightening robocall.
"Called left message about complaint filed against me, called back identified self as National Mediation. Asked to identify themselves, they hung up on me. They did ask for my case #. Scam"
Local North Carolina businesses are being targeted by callers trying to trick employees. One common scam involves someone claiming to be from Ricoh or Toshiba, asking for your printer's model number to send a "free updated manual," which is a trick to sign you up for overpriced toner. Another involves a robocall about your "Google business listing" to sell you unnecessary services.
Google will not call you to verify your business listing; this is a free service you manage yourself. Your copier company will not call to ask for your model number because they already have it on file.
"Asked for our Ricoh printer model to send updated manual. Said there was no charge. Said the contact info was provided by Ricoh. Sounded official but when I called back to the number, auto message said call can not be completed as dial. SCAMMERS"
Scammers are falsely claiming to be from "Published Clearing House" and notifying you that you've won millions of dollars and a new Mercedes. The catch is they require you to send them money, such as a $990 payment, to "deliver your prize."
The real Publishers Clearing House never calls winners in advance and absolutely never asks for money to claim a prize. All taxes are paid directly to the IRS after you have received your winnings.
"I received a call from 252-256-9272 indicating that I would receive $5.5 M from PCH. They wanted me to send $990 to receive the money."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 252 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in North Carolina, United States. Area code 252 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 22, 1998.
Most common 252 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 North Carolina, or have a 252 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 North Carolina area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: