Calls from the 339 area code often involve fake government threats and deceptive charity fundraising. Scammers pretend to be from the IRS or a fake cause to steal your money through fear or guilt.
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 339 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Massachusetts (Boston, Lynn, Waltham) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 339 scams based on user comments:
Scammers from 339 numbers are calling Massachusetts residents pretending to be from the IRS or Social Security Administration. They use aggressive tactics, falsely claiming you have a lawsuit against you or that your Social Security Number "has been canceled" to create panic and demand money.
The IRS and Social Security Administration primarily initiate contact through U.S. Mail. They will never call to threaten you with arrest, demand immediate payment, or claim your SSN has been canceled.
"Robot call stating IRS has a lawsuit against me, no intro to the call but this is the number the call came from."
Callers are posing as fundraisers for local-sounding causes like police departments or veterans' groups. They may use generic names like "The Fundraising Center" or "Home for Veterans" and can become aggressive when questioned.
Local police and sheriff's departments do not solicit donations over the phone. Legitimate charities will not pressure you for an immediate donation and should be able to provide you with their official information for verification.
"Guy pretends he is calling to collect for the police."
This predatory scam involves a caller pretending to be a lawyer representing your grandchild. They create a fake emergency, claiming your grandchild was in an accident and is in jail, needing a specific amount like $2,500 to be released.
Real legal proceedings and bail are not handled through urgent, secret phone calls demanding money. You can always verify such a claim by contacting the courthouse or police department directly.
"Scam caller saying he was lawyer for my granddaughter and she was in an accident and in jail. Needed $2500 to get her out"
Scammers are sending text messages designed to cause alarm, claiming a high-dollar purchase has been charged to your account for an "Apple watch" or that there is an issue with your Netflix account. These texts include malicious links designed to steal your login information.
Legitimate companies will not send security alerts with strange, unofficial-looking links. They typically direct you to log in to your account through their secure, official channels.
"Scam text about Apple watch purchase - stating a charge will be made on my card. Number to call - SCAM"
A very common complaint in the 339 area code is receiving calls that are completely silent on the other end. Sometimes the call hangs up after a few seconds, or an odd recording plays stating "no one is available to take your call" after they called you.
These calls are often from automated systems designed to verify if your phone number is active. Answering the call, even for a second, confirms your number is valid and will likely lead to more scam and spam calls.
"The phone rang, I picked it up, and a recording started saying 'no one is available to take your call right now...' Obviously, I hung up. How odd is that. They call me to put me on hold!"
Residents are receiving frequent robocalls about an "expired car warranty." These automated calls are an attempt to sell you an expensive and often unnecessary service contract, and the operators frequently hang up when asked to remove your number from their list.
These calls are almost never from your actual car manufacturer or dealership. They are illegal robocalls from third-party sellers using scare tactics to pressure you into buying overpriced service plans.
"Robo call about car warranty expired. Tried to politely ask them to remove my number from their list 3 times. Always hang up without answering the request."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 339 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Massachusetts, United States. Area code 339 is a general purpose code that has been in service since May 2, 2001.
Most common 339 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 Massachusetts, or have a 339 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 Massachusetts area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: