Scammers using the 385 area code often pose as Discover Card collectors or IRS agents. They use fear of debt or legal trouble to steal your financial information and money.
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 385 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Utah (Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 385 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 385 area code are being flooded with relentless calls from scammers pretending to be from Discover Card. They will falsely claim your bill is past due, even when your account is in good standing, or offer fake "savings opportunities." These callers often use robocalls and may ask for a specific person, such as "Jacob A. Spaulding," who doesn't live at your number.
Discover Card will not use a barrage of different local Utah numbers to harass you about a bill. Official communication is typically through mail, their secure website, or the official number on your card. If you call Discover, they will confirm these calls are not from them.
"They say they are from discover card and that I owe money and need to pay. I called discover directly and they say they didn’t call and I’m in good standing. They call repeatedly everyday."
This is a serious scam where callers impersonate government officials from the IRS or Social Security Administration. They use fear tactics, threatening you with arrest, "serious legal consequences," or claiming your Social Security number has been linked to money laundering. Their goal is to panic you into sending money or giving up sensitive information like your SSN.
Government agencies like the IRS and SSA will almost always initiate contact through official U.S. Mail, not a random phone call. They will never demand immediate payment over the phone, ask for gift card numbers, or threaten you with immediate arrest.
"Received a call from a white woman, american. Unlike many of the calls from scammers. Said she was calling from the IRS about a letter I wrote in April 2020...This sent my red flags up because I never sent a letter. Then she said she would like to resolve the matter but needed to confirm my social. I hung up"
Many Utah residents are receiving unsolicited texts and voicemails from people claiming they want to purchase their home for cash. These individuals often use friendly-sounding names like "John," "Dean," or "Josh" and may claim they "just bought a property near yours" to sound like a neighbor. In reality, they are often investment companies phishing for homeowners to sell their property below market value.
Legitimate real estate professionals do not typically use deceptive, high-volume spam texts to find clients. These messages are often sent by data mining companies or wholesalers looking to pressure you into a quick, low-ball sale.
"Just got a voicemail from a person named John. He said he just bought property near mine and looked up my number online and wanted to buy it for cash and pay for closing costs."
This is one of the most persistent robocalls hitting 385 numbers. An automated recording, often from "Jessica," will inform you that your car's warranty is expired or about to expire and that you must act now. They call constantly, at all hours, and it doesn't matter if you even own a car—they call everyone.
These calls are not from your car manufacturer or dealership. They are from third-party companies trying to sell you expensive and often useless service contracts. Your manufacturer will contact you via mail for official business.
"Somehow the warranty on my vehicle is about to expire when I don't even own a car. Scam."
Scammers are calling to solicit donations for vague causes like the "state trooper fund," "unified police fund," or "veterans assistance." They prey on your goodwill toward first responders and veterans. A key giveaway is when they ask for your credit card or checking account number directly over the phone or admit that any donation is "NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE."
Legitimate local police and fire departments in Utah do not use telemarketers to raise funds. These calls are almost always from for-profit fundraisers or Political Action Committees (PACs) that give a tiny fraction, if any, of the money to the actual cause they claim to support.
"CLAIMING TO BE FROM 'FUNDRAISING CTR FOR NATL VETERANS ASSISTANCE PACT' - But the last part of his speech said 'any donations given are NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE' Can you say SCAM????"
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 385 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Utah, United States. Area code 385 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 29, 2009.
Most common 385 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 Utah, or have a 385 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 Utah area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: