The 323 area code is frequently used for Social Security arrest warrant scams and fake civil complaints. Callers pretend to be law enforcement or court officials to intimidate you into paying to avoid jail.
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 323 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof California (Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, South Gate) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 323 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are robocalling residents in the Los Angeles area claiming a "legal enforcement action" has been filed against your Social Security number for fraudulent activity. These computer-generated calls threaten you with arrest or state courthouse action if you don't call them back immediately to resolve the issue.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not call people to threaten arrest or demand immediate payment. The SSA communicates through official, mailed correspondence, not through unsolicited, threatening robocalls.
"The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state courthouse and before you get arrested if you need any questions kindly call us back..."
This scam involves live callers or voicemails claiming a "pending civil complaint" has been filed against you. They often use fake law firm names like "Ellington & Associates" or "Anderson and Associates," provide a bogus case file number, and pressure you to call a separate 800-number to resolve a non-existent debt or legal matter, sometimes threatening to serve you at work.
Legitimate debt collectors must provide a written validation notice of the debt. Law firms do not make threatening cold calls about "pending" complaints; you would be officially served with court documents by a professional process server without a warning call.
"Received a vm stating Andy was calling on behalf on Ellington & Assoc regarding a pending civil complaint scheduled to be filed against me in Sonoma County (they claim they sent me legal docs). Call 877-671-3058 and provided a file#."
You receive a robocall claiming to be from Amazon, alerting you to a suspicious, high-value purchase on your account, often for an "Apple iPhone 11pro" or a "Sony PlayStation 4 Pro." The message instructs you to press 1 if you did not authorize the order, connecting you to a scammer who will then try to get your personal and financial information to "cancel" the fake charge.
Amazon will never call you and ask you to disclose personal information or provide payment details over the phone to cancel an order. All official communication and order management happens within your secure account on their website or app.
"...this is Amazon this call is to authorize a payment of ????? dollars we would like to inform you that there is an order placed for Apple iPhone 11pro using your Amazon account if you do not authorize this order press one or press two to authorize the...."
This scam starts with a call or email claiming you are owed a refund for a computer service you never purchased, such as from "Geek Squad" or "US Technical Services." When you call, a scammer named "Sam Wilson" or similar directs you to your computer and bank account. They manipulate your screen to make it look like they accidentally "refunded" you too much money (e.g., $2200 instead of $200) and then coerce you into buying gift cards to pay them back the difference.
The "accidental" refund is a trick. The scammer moves money between your own accounts (like from savings to checking) or uses a fraudulent transfer that will be reversed, making it appear as if they've sent you money when they haven't. Any money you send them via gift cards is your own and is immediately stolen.
"I talked with a Sam Wilson (fake name) who told me they would give me $200 refund... He said that he was connected to my bank account... and that $2200 was deposited into my checking account. He said I needed to give back the $2000... by going to Wal-Mart and getting $2000 in gift cards."
Residents are receiving relentless, harassing calls from telemarketers pretending to be from "The Home Center" or "The Remodeling Center Inc." These callers are extremely aggressive, often refusing to take you off their list, using rude and inappropriate language, and calling multiple times a day. Some callers have made offensive comments like "your wife does" when a service is refused.
Legitimate, licensed contractors in California do not rely on harassing, abusive, and unsolicited cold calls to find clients. These tactics are a major red flag indicating an unlicensed or fraudulent operation that you should avoid at all costs.
"He called today and was rude. When I told him that I did not need his service, he said, 'your wife does'. When I asked him 'what?', he said between 2 and 4 am..."
This scam involves a call from someone claiming to be a process server or from a "courier service" with legal documents to deliver. They create a sense of urgency and fear by threatening to show up at your home or place of employment. The goal is to scare you into calling a separate number they provide to "resolve the issue," where another scammer will demand money for a fake debt.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you they are coming; their job is to serve you papers, often by surprise. This warning call is a scare tactic designed to get you to call the scammers and pay them.
"Got a call from this number saying they are a process server company and they need to serve me papers then they gave me another number 1-844-661-0291 to call because these are the people that are serving me."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 323 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 323 is a general purpose code that has been in service since June 13, 1998.
Most common 323 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 323 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: