The 440 area code is flooding phones with aggressive car warranty robocalls and IRS scams. Impostors pretend to be government agents to threaten you with arrest or fines if you do not pay.
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 440 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Ohio (Parma, Lorain, Elyria) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 440 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 440 area code are receiving a high volume of calls about expiring auto warranties. Callers, sometimes identifying themselves as being from "Dealer Services" or even spoofing the caller ID to say "STAR Ohio," will ask for your vehicle's current mileage to pressure you into buying an unnecessary and often overpriced service contract.
Legitimate manufacturers or dealerships will typically contact you via U.S. Mail about your warranty status. They do not use high-pressure, unsolicited robocalls to sell you an extension.
"Got a call from this number, the guy knew my name and make/model/year of my car. Insisted that I needed to purchase a warranty, though I already have an auto warranty. Rude, hung up on me. Not a working number when I tried to call the number back."
Scammers are using robocalls to impersonate government agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the IRS. These alarming messages threaten you with arrest or state that your Social Security Number has been "suspended due to suspicious activity" to trick you into calling back and providing personal information.
The SSA and IRS will never call you to threaten you, demand immediate payment, or inform you that your SSN is suspended. They initiate contact through official, mailed correspondence.
"I received a call from 440-527-9768... The caller left a message stating that my social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity and I need to call them back to reactivate it."
Callers are pretending to be from Ohio utility companies like The Illuminating Company or First Energy. They use robocalls to threaten that your power will be shut off immediately if you don't "press one to make a payment," creating a false sense of urgency to steal your money.
Ohio utility companies are required to provide multiple written notices before shutting off service. They will not demand immediate payment via a robocall to prevent disconnection.
"Got a robocall to our business stating they are from the Illuminating Company and our power would be turn off-disconnected if we didn't press one to make a payment. A person got on the phone and said thank you for calling the Illuminating Company-how can I help you. I said You are from 'The Illuminating Company-Come on' and I laughed he hung up."
You may get a call or text claiming a fraudulent, expensive purchase was made with your Amazon account for an item like an iPad or computer. The message instructs you to call back immediately or press a number to cancel the order, which connects you to a scammer trying to get your account or financial details.
Amazon communicates about account security through their official app and website, not through unsolicited robocalls. They will never ask you to provide payment or login details over the phone to resolve a security issue.
"440-783-8513, calls multiple times a day. says its amazon that someone is trying to order a computer to press one if not approved. I did not and no longer answer it. The number shows for a local person when I call back on the number it rings twice and then goes dead!"
Scammers are posing as debt collectors from firms like "Portfolio Recovery Associates" or "Washington Accounts." They call about a fake "personal business matter" or claim a "complaint has been filed against you in district court" to intimidate you into paying a debt you do not owe.
Official court notices are delivered in person or by certified mail, not through a robocall. Legitimate debt collectors are legally required to provide you with written information about the debt upon request.
"Recorded message asking to call back with my physical address so they can send me something because a complaint has been filed against me in district court. Fraudulent call. Anything from the courts is sent certified mail....."
Callers are pretending to be from Medicare, a "Medicaid specialist," or your insurance provider like CareSource. They might threaten to cancel your benefits if you don't take a "free cancer screening" or try to get your Medicare number by offering to send a nurse to your home for a "wellness check."
Medicare will not call you to sell you products or services. While your insurance plan might call you, they will never threaten to cancel your coverage for refusing an optional service.
"The woman on the robocall recorded message talked about free cancer screenings covered by Medicare. What was suspicious was that she stated if I do not take advantage of the free screening that Medicare may cancel my benefits."
Many residents report extreme call-harassment campaigns from 440 numbers. Scammers use auto-dialers to call a number repeatedly—sometimes 20 times in 30 minutes—to see if the line is active. These calls are often silent, play a fax machine tone, or hang up the second you answer.
This pattern is a clear sign of an illegal robocalling operation. They are not trying to have a conversation; they are simply verifying that your phone number is active to target you with more scams later.
"They have called me 20 times in 30 minutes have yet to leave a voicemail, if something is that important shouldn't they leave a message..."
Scammers and aggressive real estate wholesalers are cold-calling residents, often using names like "Grace" or "Victor," with unsolicited cash offers for their property. These callers often get your information from public records and sometimes target families shortly after an obituary has been published in the local paper.
"'Hi this is Grace and I'm calling to purchase property in the area and I'm just wondering if you're thinking about selling the property that you have... If you're interested in selling please call me back...' Probably due to an obituary recently in the paper"
Protect Yourself
- Do not confirm your name or address.
- State clearly that you are not interested and to be placed on their do not call list.
- Block the number to prevent further contact.
- Check unfamiliar numbers on ThisNumber.com.
While some real estate investors do make cold calls, the aggressive and often predatory nature of these calls is a major red flag. They are typically looking to acquire your property for significantly less than its market value.
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
Is area code 440 a scam?
No, area code 440 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Ohio, United States. Area code 440 is a general purpose code that has been in service since August 16, 1997.
What are the most common area code 440 scams?
Most common 440 scam types are:
- Warranty Robocalls
- SSA/IRS Impersonation
- Utility Scams
- Amazon Purchase Scams
- Debt Collection Scams
- Medicare/Health Scams
- Harassment Calls
- House Buy Calls
Why do I get spam calls from area code 440?
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Ohio, or have a 440 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
What happens if I call back a spam number?
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.
How to stop spam calls from the same area code?
There are three main ways to reduce spam calls:
- The Do Not Call Registry: Register your number at donotcall.gov
- Carrier Tools: Contact your phone carrier about their spam blocking solutions
- Third-Party Apps: Install spam call blocking apps that identify and filter scam numbers
Can I block all calls from a specific area code?
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.
Scams and Spam in Other Ohio Area Codes
Other Ohio area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: