The 270 area code is frequently used for Social Security arrest threats and Medicare scams. Fraudsters target your personal and health information by pretending to be government officials.
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 270 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Kentucky (Bowling Green, Owensboro, Hopkinsville) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 270 scams based on user comments:
This is the most aggressive scam hitting Western Kentucky right now. You'll get a robocall, often with a computer-generated voice, claiming fraudulent activity has been found on your Social Security Number (SSN). They threaten you with immediate arrest or "legal proceedings" if you don't call them back right away to resolve the issue.
The Social Security Administration will never call you and threaten you with arrest or demand immediate payment. They primarily communicate through official U.S. mail. Any threat of arrest over the phone is a guaranteed scam.
"Got a call about fraudulent activities with my social security. How is that even possible? Call came from a local number but was told to call this number... said I needed to call before they 'started legal proceedings' it’s not linked to a social security office."
Scammers are targeting Kentuckians by pretending to be from Medicare or a medical supply company. They claim you are eligible for free items like a back or knee brace, but they use high-pressure tactics, even threatening that Medicare will cancel your coverage if you don't accept the equipment.
Medicare will not call you to sell you anything, and they will never threaten to cancel your coverage for refusing a product. Medical equipment must be prescribed by your doctor, not a random telemarketer.
"This caller says they are a medical brace company. If you don’t order a knee or back brace MEDICARE will be no longer covering you. When you try to tell them to take you off their calling list they hang up."
These callers use a very convincing, human-sounding robot to ask for donations for causes like fallen police officers or firefighters. A caller named "Ken" is frequently mentioned. They use emotional stories and statistics to pressure you into donating, but they are not affiliated with any legitimate Kentucky law enforcement agency.
Legitimate police departments and first responder organizations do not use robocalls or aggressive telemarketers to solicit donations from the public. These are almost always scams that keep most of the money for themselves.
"basically, he gives you some statistics about police officer deaths, and then asks if he can count on you to donate money to their cause. no, i think tf not."
Residents are getting slammed with calls about "open enrollment" for health insurance. A caller named "Thomas" often claims to have been "assigned to your case" and creates a false sense of urgency. Even after being told to stop, the calls continue from different representatives who are often rude.
Official insurance agents and marketplaces do not use these high-pressure, harassing tactics. While agents make sales calls, they won't repeatedly harass you after you've declined their service, and they won't have been "assigned" to your case without your prior consent.
"This is an insurance company that WON'T stop calling me. I've told numerous representatives that I've found health insurance already, and they rudely hang up then call back with another rep hours later."
This scam arrives as a text message, not a phone call. The message claims a package is at a "processing warehouse" or that you have an "unpaid shipment." It includes a link that you are supposed to click to resolve the issue, but the link is malicious and designed to steal your personal or financial information.
Major delivery companies will not text you from a random 270-area-code number to demand payment or information via a suspicious link. All official communications and tracking should be done through their official websites or apps.
"Text saying I had a shipment unpaid, Click here... It's BS"
If you're selling items like furniture on Craigslist, be wary of this scam. A "buyer" will respond to your ad via text and offer to pay with a cashier's check. They will send a fake check for more than the asking price and ask you to send them back the difference after it "clears."
Banks are required to make funds from a deposited check available quickly, but that doesn't mean the check is legitimate. It can take weeks for a check to be discovered as fraudulent, and by then, the scammer is gone with the money you sent them, and you are responsible for paying the bank back.
"Scam: Received text in response to a Craigslist post. 'We’ll send cashiers check and have movers pick up the furniture after the check clears.'"
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 270 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Kentucky, United States. Area code 270 is a general purpose code that has been in service since April 19, 1999.
Most common 270 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 Kentucky, or have a 270 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 Kentucky area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: