Calls from the 309 area code frequently involve fake student loan forgiveness offers and threats about your Social Security benefits. These scammers promise debt relief or claim your benefits are at risk to steal your identity.
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 309 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Illinois (Peoria, Bloomington, Normal) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 309 scams based on user comments:
A widespread robocall campaign in the 309 area code features a woman named "Megan" from "Student Loan Relief." She leaves a voicemail stating you are pre-qualified for a student loan forgiveness program and insists it's "imperative" you call back before the programs change.
The Department of Education and official loan servicers will not contact you with unsolicited offers via robocall. Legitimate information about forgiveness programs is communicated through official mail or your secure online account portal, not by a high-pressure call from "Megan."
"Hi, this is Megan calling with student loan relief. You can just give me a call at 309-220-3361 and I'm actually just reaching out to you regarding your federal student loan balance. We've got some good news you've been pre-qualified for the student loan forgiveness program. However, it's imperative that we speak to you as soon as possible before these programs change."
Scammers are calling residents claiming to be from the "SSA department" or Medicare. They use fear tactics, stating legal enforcement actions have been filed against your Social Security number and that an arrest warrant has been issued for fraudulent activity.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare will never call to threaten you with arrest or legal action. They primarily communicate via U.S. Mail and will not ask for personal information over the phone in an unsolicited call.
"This message is to inform you that the SSA department is filing a lawsuit against you and an arrest warrant has been released in your name due to legal enforcement actions filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities. To get more information about this case file from the federal database, press one."
Aggressive callers falsely claim you or a family member were involved in a car accident and demand immediate payment for damages, sometimes for amounts like $2900. These scammers may pose as lawyers from firms like "Wilber & Associates," becoming rude and threatening to have your driver's license suspended if you refuse to pay.
Legitimate collection agencies must provide a written validation notice by mail. They cannot threaten to suspend your license over an unverified civil claim, as this is a function of the state and follows a formal legal process.
"It’s a man claiming to be a lawyer from Wilber & Associates. He was really rude and threatening me to pay up for an accident I wasn’t in if not he’d send the report to the state to get my license suspended."
This is one of the most common complaints in Central Illinois, involving endless robocalls about your vehicle's extended warranty. The automated messages claim your warranty is expiring and you must act now. When residents try to opt out, they are often hung up on, laughed at, or simply ignored, with calls continuing from different numbers.
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer or dealer. They are from third-party companies selling often overpriced and unnecessary service contracts, and they frequently violate the National Do Not Call Registry.
"This is an extended car warranty company that calls me multiple times a day from all different numbers. I've asked them to stop and that I was reporting them to the Do Not Call list, but they laughed and hung up on me!"
Scammers are sending text messages that appear to be from the "Illinois Department of Transportation" (IDOT). These messages falsely claim you need to verify your driver's license details and provide a malicious link to do so.
In Illinois, driver's licenses are managed by the Secretary of State's office, not IDOT. Government agencies will not send unsolicited texts asking you to click a link to verify sensitive information like your driver's license.
"Got a text message from 309 324-4323 claiming to be ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION asking to veryify my Driver's License Details"
You may receive a robocall or text message claiming a suspicious charge has been made to your Amazon account for an amount like "$349" or "$1099.99." The message will instruct you to press 1 or call a number to speak with "customer support" to cancel the order, which is a trick to steal your account or financial information.
Amazon will never call you to confirm a purchase or ask for personal information. All official order confirmations and security alerts are handled through email and notifications within your secure Amazon account.
"billed card attached to your amazon account the amount to charge to $1099.99 we know it comes suspicious activity on your account so we have put on hold it's transaction please press one now and for report press...."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 309 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Illinois, United States. Area code 309 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1957.
Most common 309 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 Illinois, or have a 309 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 Illinois area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: