The 417 area code is heavily used for vague legal threats and Social Security scams. Fraudsters claim your benefits are suspended to steal your sensitive personal information.
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 417 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Missouri (Springfield, Joplin, Nixa) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 417 scams based on user comments:
Folks in Southwest Missouri are getting aggressive robocalls claiming a "claim" or "complaint" has been filed against them. These callers often pressure you or a family member, saying you are part of an investigation and must call back or risk being seen as uncooperative. They may vaguely mention a debt or legal matter but will refuse to provide any real details when questioned.
Legitimate debt collectors and legal offices are required by law to mail you an official written notice of any debt or legal action. They do not initiate contact with vague, intimidating robocalls and threats.
"Said we were part of an investigation, an they would consider u uncooperative if we didn't respond. We have no charges against us, no creditors, police aren't looking for is, scam without a doubt"
This scam preys on our local residents with alarming robocalls claiming your Social Security Number (SSN) has been suspended due to illegal activities. Callers, often with a foreign accent, threaten that a warrant has been issued for your arrest for "Drug and Money Laundering" in another state and demand you call them back to avoid legal action.
The Social Security Administration does not suspend SSNs and will never call you to threaten your benefits or demand money. They primarily communicate via U.S. Mail, not with threatening phone calls.
"I was told via a recording by a woman, who obviously is not of American descent(incorrect English pronunciations) , that I must call back same number or a Warrant for my arrest will be issued because my Social was connected to Drug and Money Laundering."
Scammers are relentlessly calling 417 numbers about getting you out of your timeshare, even if you don't own one. They may use a name like "Zack from Omni" and claim that "due to recent changes in policy," they can add you to a class-action lawsuit to get you out of your contract. This is a high-pressure tactic to get you to pay for a worthless service.
Legitimate timeshare exit companies rarely use unsolicited cold calls. These high-pressure calls are almost always from scammers charging huge upfront fees for services they never deliver.
"zack from omni, largest timeshare removal company, due to recent changes in policy of timeshare company, they are able to add us to a class action suit to get us out of timeshare. Call at their DIRECT # if 417-324-7834."
These callers trick you by saying they are from UPS or are a "patient advocate" to send you "free" medical equipment like back or knee braces. A caller might use a fake name like "George Bates" and then bill Medicare an outrageous amount for cheap, unnecessary products. They often already have some of your personal information, making the call seem more legitimate.
Medicare and legitimate medical supply companies will never call you to sell you products you did not request. All medical equipment requires a doctor's order, not a phone call.
"Indian call center, claiming to be UPS, who wants to send you crappy back and knee braces, then over bill Medicare for it. The guy said his name was 'George Bates.' They know a lot of your medical information when they call (disturbing)."
Scammers are calling pretending to be from well-known companies like Amazon, Geek Squad, or Bank of America. They'll claim there's been an unauthorized charge on your account, a renewal payment for Best Buy, or that they need you to go to a website like "fastsupport.com" to "fix" the issue, which gives them access to your computer.
Amazon, Best Buy, and other major companies will not call you about suspicious activity. They will email you or post a notification directly in your secure account online. They will never ask for remote access to your device.
"SCAM, was supposedly from amazon saying that they found an unauthorized charge on my account. tried to get me to go to fastsupport.com so that they could access my personal computer and either access private files or install a virus."
Be careful of calls asking for donations for police officers or state troopers. These callers use high-pressure tactics and may try to make you feel guilty for not donating. While they operate as a "non-profit," an overwhelming majority of the money you give—sometimes 98%—goes to the professional fundraising company, not to the officers they claim to support.
Many police and fire departments are forbidden from soliciting donations by phone. Most of these calls are from for-profit telemarketers who give a tiny fraction of donations to the charity itself.
"DON'T GIVE THESE JERKS MONEY. THEY SOLICIT FUNDS ACTING LIKE THEY HAND THEM OVER TO THE TROOPERS FOR THEIR CAUSES AND IT IS B.S. THEY SLIDE BY AS A SUPPOSED 'NON-PROFIT' BECAUSE THEY GIVE A FEW PENNIES FROM EACH DOLLAR YOU GIVE."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 417 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Missouri, United States. Area code 417 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1950.
Most common 417 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 417 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: