The 478 area code is known for fake debt collectors and the boss gift card text scam. Fraudsters impersonate your employer via text and ask you to buy gift cards for them quickly.
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 478 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Georgia (Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 478 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 478 area are being targeted by aggressive callers pretending to be debt collectors or legal officers. These scammers, often using the name "David Robinson," will accuse you of writing a bad check for over $500 back in 2013 or claim a complaint has been filed against you. They use high-pressure tactics, threatening to send officers to your house, telling you to "get some bail money together," or warning they will contact your HR or Payroll department if you don't comply.
Real debt collectors must mail you a written validation notice within five days of first contacting you. They cannot legally threaten you with immediate arrest for consumer debt, and they can only contact your employer after securing a court judgment.
"Mr. Robinson call me back and stated that my husband wrote a bad check for over $500 and he is sending officers out and I should get some bail money together. I called back to explain that we don't even have a PNC account let alone a checking account."
This scam specifically targets professionals, including many real estate agents in Georgia and other states. Scammers find your number and send a text pretending to be your boss, broker, or the president of your association, claiming they need you to urgently buy multiple gift cards for a client. They will typically ask for specific amounts, like "4 gift cards at $200 each," promising to reimburse you later.
Legitimate business expenses are never handled by asking employees to purchase hundreds of dollars in gift cards. Scammers prefer gift cards because they are untraceable, like cash.
"Real estate broker needs 4 $200 gift cards asap. Idiots"
Scammers are calling residents claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House (PCH), UPS, or even USPS. Using names like "David Anderson" or "David Carter," they'll inform you that you've won a huge prize, such as the "American Citizens Award" for "$35,000 plus $5,000 a week for life and a new Buick." To collect your winnings, they'll demand you first pay a fee by purchasing a gift card for $99 at Walgreens or by providing your personal bank account information.
Publishers Clearing House and other real sweepstakes companies do not call major prize winners; they show up in person. They will never, under any circumstances, ask you to pay a fee to claim what you've won.
"Got a call from David Anderson saying my husband and I won the American Citizens Award of $35000 plus $5000 a week for life and a new Buick. He asked for banking info to deposit funds."
If you're getting relentless robocalls about your car's warranty, you're not alone in the 478 area code. These callers use pre-recorded messages to warn you that your vehicle's warranty is expiring and offer to sell you a "protection plan." They call multiple times a day from constantly changing numbers, making them difficult to block, and will often ignore requests to be removed from their call list.
These calls are almost never from your car's manufacturer. They are from third-party telemarketers selling often overpriced and sometimes worthless service contracts. Pressing a number to be "removed" often just confirms your number is active, leading to more calls.
"This person wants to sale me a warranty and a protection plans for my vehicle. I've told he/she several times that I don't need it. However, he/she continues to bother me with such annoying calls."
This scam is designed to create panic. Callers will claim to be from the "SS Administration of Georgia" and state that there is a "suspension order against your social security number" due to fraudulent activity. They often speak quickly and may have an accent, all in an attempt to rush you into giving up your personal information before you have time to think.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will never call you to threaten your benefits or tell you that your SSN has been suspended. The SSA primarily communicates through postal mail, not with threatening phone calls.
"Claim to be from the SS Administration of Georgia and that there is a suspension order against my social security number ."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 478 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Georgia, United States. Area code 478 is a general purpose code that has been in service since August 1, 2000.
Most common 478 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 Georgia, or have a 478 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 Georgia area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: