California's 279 area code is targeted by fake lawsuit threats and Social Security compromise scams. Callers want you to believe your identity is stolen so you will hand over your 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 279 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof California (Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 279 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the Sacramento area are receiving aggressive calls from scammers posing as debt collectors or legal officials. They threaten you with court appearances, wage garnishments, and even federal charges for fake debts like old payday loans. They often have some of your personal information, like the last four digits of your Social Security Number or a previous employer, to make the threats seem real.
Official process servers do not call to warn you that you are about to be served legal papers; they simply show up. Furthermore, legitimate debt collectors are legally required to provide you with a written validation notice of the debt upon request.
"They said it was about a payday loan that was taken out when I worked for my previous employer. I never took out a payday loan! They would not let me speak and just kept getting louder and before I ended the call she said 'We will see you in court!'"
This scam involves a robocall or live caller claiming your Social Security number has been breached or used in a crime. To make the call seem credible, they may even read back the last four digits of your actual SSN. They create a sense of panic to trick you into calling them back and giving up more personal information.
The Social Security Administration will not call you to threaten you or tell you your number has been suspended. They conduct official business primarily through the U.S. Mail.
"A woman called and said that there was a problem with my social security number and gave the last four digits of my number. At that point, I hung up."
This fraud typically starts with a text message claiming a shipment has been stopped due to "insufficient funds" or another delivery issue. The message includes a strange link to a fake website where they ask for your financial information to "resolve" the problem. Some scammers may also call, using a fake name like "Robert Burke," to report a problem with a package.
Official delivery services will never text you a link to a non-official website and demand payment to release a package. All tracking and payment issues should be handled directly on their secure, official company websites.
"text saying shipment stopped due to insf funds top up do we can deliver rpqq7.site/x4m5vv who are these people?"
In this scam, callers falsely claim to be from Microsoft. They'll tell you that you need to install software on your computer for a critical "update" or that they need to fix a problem. Their real goal is to gain remote access to your computer to install malware, steal your personal information, or charge you for fake services.
Microsoft will never personally call you about a virus or an update for your computer. All Windows updates are delivered through the official Windows Update service on your PC, not through a phone call.
"Claims to be from Microsoft and needs to install software on your computer to update it. Sounds bad to me. Microsoft does not make personal calls when updates are available."
These are relentless and frequent robocalls trying to sell you a worthless or overpriced extended car warranty. The calls are designed to sound urgent, making you think your legitimate manufacturer's warranty is about to expire. They often call from multiple different numbers to get around call blockers.
Legitimate companies do not use illegal robocalls to sell auto warranties. These callers are often phishing for your personal information and use high-pressure sales tactics for services that offer little to no real coverage.
"My AT&T Call Block app stopped it from coming through but they immediately called from a 'different' number... which was the bogus car warranty scam."
Scammers are calling 279 area code numbers claiming to collect donations for police organizations like the "National Council of Patrolman." They use names that sound official to trick you into donating. These callers can be very persistent, ignoring requests to stop calling and phoning at all hours of the day.
Your local police and fire departments do not solicit donations via telephone calls. These calls are almost always from for-profit telemarketers or Political Action Committees (PACs) that give a tiny fraction, if any, of the money to actual first responders.
"This number has called me several times in the last few weeks a man answers the phone and claims to be part of some police department. They have completely ignored my demands to stop calling me."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 279 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 279 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 10, 2018.
Most common 279 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 California, or have a 279 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 California area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: