The 262 area code is targeted by legal arrest threats and IRS impersonation calls. Scammers try to convince you that you owe taxes or fines to the government to steal your funds.
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 262 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Wisconsin (Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 262 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are calling 262 residents claiming a plaintiff has hired them or that there are complaints filed against your name and Social Security number. They threaten that if you don't call back immediately, the issue will be turned over to a judge for action at your home or work, sometimes even threatening wage garnishments and arrests.
Real process servers and law enforcement do not call ahead to warn you about being served or arrested. They simply show up. These calls are designed to scare you into acting without thinking.
"Received a call from 262-683-7492 looking for my son who recently had a ticket. The caller said a plaintiff was looking for my son and hired this company to find him. If he did not call 855-470-0445 back to resolve the issues asap the issue will be turned over to a judge for further action at his home or work."
These aggressive scams involve a call claiming there is fraudulent activity on your Social Security account or that you owe back taxes to the IRS. Scammers threaten you with a "federal arrest warrant" or suspension of your Social Security Number if you don't comply or provide personal information like your SSN.
The Social Security Administration and the IRS will never call you to threaten you or demand immediate payment. They initiate contact through official mail, not with intimidating phone calls.
"Got a call from 262-203-9366 caller stated he was with the IRS also stated if I didn't give them my SSN I would have a federal arrest warrant issued"
You've likely received these relentless calls about an expiring auto warranty, often for a vehicle you've never even owned. These robocalls, sometimes using a live person like "Amy," create a false sense of urgency, claiming it's your "final chance" to extend your vehicle's service contract.
Legitimate companies you do business with will have your vehicle information on file and will typically contact you via mail for warranty extensions. These cold calls are phishing attempts to get your personal and financial information.
"Robot voice 'auto warranty services' ... Stoooooop calling me ffs!"
Scammers are pretending to be from major retailers like Kohl's, Amazon, or Walmart. They may claim there's a problem with your account, a fraudulent charge, or a large, suspicious order, such as one for a "$1537.35" headset from Walmart. They often ask you to "verify" your SSN or other personal details to resolve the fake issue.
Retailers like Kohl's and Amazon will not call you and ask for your full Social Security number over the phone. They handle fraud alerts through their official apps, email, or secure website messaging.
"...In five special edition with 3-D headset is being ordered from your Walmart account for an amount of $1537.35 to cancel your order or to connect with one of our customer support representative please call back on the same number…"
This is a sneaky tactic where the caller's only goal is to get you to say the word "yes." They often start the call by saying "Can you hear me?" or pretending their headset or Bluetooth isn't working correctly. They record your "yes" response and can use it to authorize fraudulent charges or sign you up for services.
Legitimate callers will identify themselves and the purpose of their call immediately. Using tricks to get a voice signature is a hallmark of a scam.
"She asked if I could hear her and I unfortunately said yes and instead of stating, That I could. Nothing happened after that and the phone was silent so I hung up."
Scammers are calling on behalf of fake charities, often claiming to collect donations for police, firefighters, or veterans. They might use names like "Police support fund" or the "Volunteer Firefighters and EMS Fund." When you ask for details or for information to be mailed, they become evasive or hang up.
Real charities are transparent and will never pressure you for an immediate donation over the phone. Many of these "charities" are scams where very little, if any, of the money goes to the actual cause.
"I got a phone call from 262 233 2498 asking for donations to a group that supports Blue Lives Matter. I told them that I donate to our police association on several occasions and asked for more info and they just want my credit card number."
If you're a local business owner, you may get calls claiming to be from Google about your business listing. A recorded message will warn that your listing is in "danger of not displaying properly" and urge you to press 1 to speak with a representative. These calls are not from Google and are an attempt to sell you unnecessary marketing services.
Google does not charge for your Business Profile or make unsolicited automated calls to "verify" it. These are third-party companies using deceptive tactics to sell you overpriced and often useless services.
"'Hello this is an important message regarding the current state of your company's business listing on google your listing may be in danger of not displaying properly...please press one to be quickly connected...'"
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 262 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Wisconsin, United States. Area code 262 is a general purpose code that has been in service since September 25, 1999.
Most common 262 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 Wisconsin, or have a 262 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 Wisconsin area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: