Scammers using the 319 area code are targeting people with fake credit card rate reduction offers and Social Security threats. They try to get your credit card number or personal details by promising to lower your bills or fix a problem with your account.
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 319 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Iowa City) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 319 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 319 area are being targeted by callers from a generic "Account Services" offering to lower credit card interest rates. If you refuse to provide your card information or hang up, these callers often become extremely hostile, calling back repeatedly while using foul, sexually explicit language and making threats.
Your credit card company already has your account number and will never call to ask you for it. Legitimate customer service agents are trained to be professional and will not resort to harassment, threats, or vulgar language.
"Someone called my 15 yo daughter from this number today and when asked to not call he threatened to rape my daughter."
This widespread robocall scam claims to be from the "Social Security Department," warning that your Social Security Number (SSN) has been compromised or used in illegal activities. The recording threatens to suspend your number immediately if you don't press 1 to speak with an agent, creating a false sense of panic.
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten you or demand payment. They do not suspend SSNs. Communication from the SSA almost always comes via U.S. Mail, not a threatening phone call.
"Threatened to suspend my social security number for illegal activities. Yeah, right. Like the 'Social Security Department' suspends SSNs... not even if you're dead.. try again! Don't take it seriously and don't respond. Just hang up."
Scammers are calling Iowans pretending to be from law offices, "Investigative Services," or even as police officers. They falsely claim you have complaints filed against you in district court or that you are about to be served with a court summons. These calls use intimidation to scare you into paying a non-existent debt.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you that they are coming; they just show up. Furthermore, legitimate debt collectors are required by federal law to provide you with a written validation notice of the debt.
"This number reported to be a police officer trying to serve me a warrant on a debt. He threatened to serve it to my work place or home."
One of the most frequent nuisance calls in the 319 area code is the car warranty robocall. An automated message, sometimes from "Katie," warns that your vehicle's factory warranty is expiring. They urge you to press a key to speak with a "specialist" to purchase an expensive and often useless "protection plan."
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer. They are from third-party telemarketers trying to sell high-pressure service contracts that are not true warranties and often have many coverage exclusions.
"KATIE CALLED FROM 319-669-8645, SAID MY VEHICLE WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE, TO CALL BACK AT 1-888-218-0804"
Callers posing as "Medicare advisors" are contacting local residents. Often, the very first thing they will say is, "This is [name] on a recorded line, can you hear me okay?". This is a trick to get a recording of your voice saying "yes," which can be used to fraudulently authorize charges or sign you up for services you never wanted.
Official Medicare representatives will not call you to sell products or plans. The "Can you hear me?" script is a known tactic used by scammers to obtain a voice signature for fraudulent authorizations.
"This Guy by the name of George call's and says he is a medicare advisor on a recorded line. He then ask if you can hear him then he says nothing else the call is dropped."
This scam involves a robocall alerting you to a large, fraudulent purchase on your account. Reports from our area mention a "$399.00 charge" to a "plastic card" via Amazon or a "$1299.99 charge" using an "Apple phone card." The goal is to make you panic and call back, at which point they will attempt to steal your real account and payment information.
Amazon and Apple will not make an unsolicited phone call to you about suspicious charges. They use official emails or in-app notifications and will never ask you for payment details over the phone to cancel a fraudulent order.
"This is a robo call saying that 'a $1299.99 charge has been paid for with your Apple phone card. If you did not make this charge please call....' I don't own an Apple phone..."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 319 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Iowa, United States. Area code 319 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 319 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 Iowa, or have a 319 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 Iowa area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: