The 314 area code is a common source for fake legal action threats and aggressive Medicare schemes. Callers claim you are being sued or try to trick seniors into giving up their health insurance 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 314 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Missouri (St. Louis, Florissant, Oakville) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 314 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the St. Louis area are receiving aggressive calls from individuals posing as process servers or lawyers. They use threatening language, claiming a legal case (sometimes citing a fake case number like 137036) is being filed against you in St. Louis County and will become public record unless you cooperate. Callers use names like "Vanessa Jones" or "Travis Grant" and threaten to locate you at your home or workplace.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you or ask for money; their job is to deliver official court documents in person without prior notice. Legitimate law offices will not threaten to contact your employer or family in this manner.
"Called me at 8:30am saying his name was Travis Grant and that I have an open case. I hung up the phone and he called back immediately... He calls my mother asking about me a few hours later...this is a complete SCAM! DO NOT BE AFRAID!"
Scammers are relentlessly targeting St. Louis seniors, claiming to be from Medicare or a "medical supply" company. Using foreign accents, they aggressively push "free" medical equipment like back or knee braces, insisting they are covered by Medicare. They can be incredibly persistent, sometimes calling over a dozen times a day and becoming hostile or abusive if you refuse their offer.
Medicare and legitimate medical suppliers will never call you out of the blue to sell you equipment. All medical equipment requires a doctor's examination and prescription to be covered by Medicare.
"Last year they sent 4 braces made like over the counter products and charged medicare almost $2,400.00. I reported and returned those braces as they were never ordered. There is a fraud complaint by me filed with the above agencies."
You may get a robocall with a Caller ID spoofed to look like "Apple R062 West" or a message claiming to be from "Amazon Security." The recording, sometimes from a voice named "Stella," will warn of suspicious activity on your iCloud account or a fraudulent purchase, such as a $778 charge from Ohio or an $800 iPad. The goal is to create panic and get you to press "1" to speak with a fake support agent.
Apple and Amazon will not call you about suspicious activity. They handle security alerts through official notifications within your account or via email from an official address.
"Caller ID: Apple R062 West... Prerecorded “Stella” says there’s suspicious activity in iCloud account. Press 1 to speak to representative. So much fun playing their game. The man has a foreign accent... It is a legit Apple store phone number on MO but it’s not them calling."
This scam involves a robocall claiming that fraudulent activity has been detected on your Social Security Number (SSN). The automated message threatens that your SSN will be suspended or that legal action is being taken against you. The goal is to scare you into calling back and providing personal information or money to "resolve" the nonexistent problem.
The Social Security Administration does not suspend SSNs, nor do they call to threaten you with arrest or legal action. They primarily communicate via U.S. Mail, not with intimidating phone calls.
"Robo - Left voicemail message twice regarding fake fraudulent activity on SS#."
Many St. Louis residents are being bombarded with unsolicited calls and texts from people claiming to be real estate investors who want to buy their homes for cash. These callers, using names like "Amy," "Julie," "Howard Walker," or "Scott with Patriot," often know your name and address, which can be alarming. They promise a quick, "as-is" cash sale for your property, whether it's for sale or not.
While some of these inquiries may be from legitimate investors, the high volume of unsolicited, anonymous robocalls and texts is a common tactic used by data mining operations and high-pressure wholesalers. Legitimate real estate professionals typically do not initiate contact this way.
"This may sound crazy....and I may be open to buying your home on [provides street address]! Would you be open to that at all...? Do u want me to stop texting u?"
A persistent scam involves robocalls claiming to be from the IRS or the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The message falsely states that the IRS has issued an arrest warrant in your name for unpaid taxes. In other versions, the Caller ID might even be spoofed to say "US GOVERNMENT," adding a layer of false credibility. They demand an immediate call back to avoid arrest.
The IRS's first contact with you will always be through official U.S. Mail, not a threatening phone call. They will never demand payment over the phone, ask for credit card numbers, or threaten to have you arrested for not paying.
"My cell phone number is on the DO NOT CALL LIST, yet I get this automated robot telling me the IRS has issued an arrest warrant in my name and to call the number to clear up the matter."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 314 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Missouri, United States. Area code 314 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 314 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 Missouri, or have a 314 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 Missouri area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: