Area Code 484 Scams and Spam Calls

Scammers use area code 484 for fake subscription demands and family emergency scams. They claim you owe money for a service you never bought to steal your credit card number.

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.

Pennsylvania Phone Number Lookups

Most Common Area Code 484 Scams

Getting calls from 484 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Pennsylvania (Allentown, Reading, Bethlehem) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 484 scams based on user comments:

The Fake Subscription & Payment Demand Scam

Residents in the 484 area are being targeted by robocalls claiming a subscription is renewing and your account will be charged. Scammers often use the company name "V-Tech Solution" or "Microsoft" and state a specific charge, like $299 or $399, will be deducted from your bank account unless you call back immediately. Callers may use fake names like "Donald Richard," "Ryan Johnson," or "Jeff William" and become nasty if questioned.

Warning Signs

  • A robocall threatens to charge your bank account for a subscription you don't have.
  • The caller uses a specific amount, often $299 or $399.
  • They claim to be from "V-Tech Solution" or are calling about a "Microsoft update."
  • You are pressured to call back within 24 hours to cancel the charge.

Protect Yourself

  • Do not call the number back.
  • Never provide any personal or financial information.
  • Block the number and check your bank statements for any unrecognized charges.
  • Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Legitimate companies like Microsoft do not use threatening robocalls to notify you of a subscription renewal. They communicate via email linked to your official account and will never demand immediate callback to avoid charges on your bank account.

Real Victim Quote

"There is a recording of a man telling me that a $399. charge will be placed on 'your account' for V-Tech Solution and I have 24 hours to cancel. The man claims to be Donald Richard - Customer Relationship Manager. I know this is bogus and want to warn other and tell people this is a SCAM!"

The Grandparent "Family in Jail" Scam

This is a particularly cruel scam targeting grandparents and family members in our community. A scammer calls pretending to be your grandchild, often crying, claiming they've been in a car wreck, hit a pregnant woman, and are now in jail. A second scammer then gets on the line, posing as a public defender named "Nicole Wise" or an attorney named "Daniel Rosenberg," and demands thousands of dollars (one report mentioned $8,370) for bail, instructing you to send cash.

Warning Signs

  • A call from someone claiming to be a grandchild who is crying and in trouble.
  • The story involves a car accident, hitting a pregnant woman, and needing bail money.
  • A second person, posing as a lawyer, asks for a large cash payment.
  • They insist you not tell other family members about the situation.

Protect Yourself

  • Hang up immediately and call your grandchild or other family members directly on their known phone numbers to verify the story.
  • Never wire money, send cash, or give financial information based on a frantic phone call.
  • Ask questions that only your real family member would know the answer to.

Public defenders and real law enforcement officials do not call family members to arrange for bail money over the phone, especially not by demanding cash in a plastic bag. Bail is handled through official court channels, not through panicked phone calls.

Real Victim Quote

"first call was a fretful call from a grandson she does not even have, saying he needs to be bailed out of jail from being in an accident. They asked for $8,370 in cash in a wrapped plastic bag. They told her to call Daniel Rosenberg at the Reading PA Public Defenders office when she had the cash..."

Scammers are calling 484 numbers pretending to be from the Social Security Administration or the IRS. They leave urgent voicemails claiming "fraudulent activity" has been detected with your Social Security Number or that the government is filing a lawsuit against you for tax fraud. The robocall threatens arrest or legal proceedings if you don't call them back immediately.

Warning Signs

  • A recorded message threatens you with arrest or legal action.
  • The caller claims to be from the Social Security Administration or the IRS.
  • The message says your property is under surveillance or you will be "taken into custody by the local cops."
  • The caller's English is poor or uses non-legal terms like "arrest the lawsuit against you."

Protect Yourself

  • Hang up. The Social Security Administration and IRS will never call you and threaten you.
  • Do not call back the number they provide.
  • Never give out your Social Security number or any personal information.
  • Report the scam to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.

Government agencies like the IRS and SSA initiate contact through official U.S. Mail, not with threatening robocalls. They will never demand immediate payment, ask for payment via gift cards, or threaten to have you arrested by "local cops" over the phone.

Real Victim Quote

"Ignoring this will be an additional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before magistrate judge or the grand jury for a federal criminal defense. Failure to return the call will result in law enforcement action against you as there is a legal petition notice filed under your name by the IRS for tax of aging and tax fraud..."

Extended Auto Warranty Robocalls

These are some of the most persistent nuisance calls in our area. You'll receive a robocall, often from a person identifying as "Amy," about extending your car's warranty. They will repeatedly call, even after you've asked to be removed from their list. These calls often give you an option to "press 2 to be removed," but doing so just confirms your number is active, leading to more calls.

Warning Signs

  • An unsolicited robocall about your "vehicle's warranty."
  • The caller uses a generic name like "Amy" from the "Warranty Department."
  • You receive multiple calls a day, sometimes for a car you no longer own.
  • They ask you to press a number to be removed from their list.

Protect Yourself

  • Do not press any numbers on your keypad.
  • Hang up and block the number.
  • Be aware they will often call back from a slightly different number.
  • List your number on the National Do Not Call Registry.

These calls are not from your car's manufacturer or dealership. They are from third-party sellers using aggressive and often illegal tactics. Official recall notices or warranty information from the manufacturer will arrive by mail, not through a random robocall.

Real Victim Quote

"I have received so many of calls from this number (484) 260-4409 that i cant even give you a number, one vehicle is so old i dont even want a warranty for it as i have said time and time again. the other vehicle has a lifetime warranty with the dealer...as again i have stated time and time again."

ER Billing & Medical Information Phishing Scam

This is a deeply concerning scam where callers seem to have information about recent Emergency Room visits. They call pretending to be from the hospital's billing department, often mentioning a specific hospital in the Lehigh Valley or Wilkes-Barre area. The caller, who may have a heavy accent, will try to get your health insurance information, Social Security number, or date of birth to "submit a physician bill."

Warning Signs

  • You receive a call asking for insurance or billing information for a recent ER visit.
  • The caller has your name and knows you were recently at the hospital.
  • They ask you to provide your Social Security number or Medicaid number over the phone.
  • Caller ID might say "Emergency room Billing collector" or something similar.

Protect Yourself

  • Never give out insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, or personal information over the phone.
  • Hang up and call the hospital's official billing department number directly from their website or a previous bill.
  • Ask the hospital if they have authorized any third-party callers to contact you.

While hospitals have billing departments, they will not call you late at night demanding sensitive information like your Social Security number over the phone. This information is collected during your visit. Any follow-up communication is typically done through official mail or their secure online patient portal.

Real Victim Quote

"Called at 9pm and asked if I was the parent or guardian of XXXX (my son) and said they needed my health and auto insurance information so they could submit physician bill. I had already paid all his ER bills so I told them if they needed the insurance information they would have to get it from the hospital..."

Publishers Clearing House Prize Scam

Scammers are impersonating the famous Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. A man calling himself "Mark Webber" will inform you that you've won millions of dollars and a new Mercedes, which is scheduled for delivery today. The catch is that to receive your prize, you first need to make a "payment" of several hundred or even thousands of dollars, such as a reported $1,700 fee.

Warning Signs

  • A caller claims to be "Mark Webber from Publisher's Clearing House."
  • You're told you've won millions and a luxury car.
  • They demand an upfront payment or fee to cover taxes or delivery.
  • The call creates a sense of urgency, stating the prize is ready for delivery today.

Protect Yourself

  • Remember that real sweepstakes never require you to pay a fee to collect a prize.
  • Never send cash, wire money, or provide account numbers to claim a prize.
  • Hang up the phone immediately.
  • Check the number on a reverse lookup site like ThisNumber.com.

Publishers Clearing House and other legitimate sweepstakes will never call you to ask for money. All taxes are paid directly to the IRS after you have received your winnings. The "Prize Patrol" shows up at your door unannounced; they do not call ahead to arrange payment.

Real Victim Quote

"Man claimed to be a 'Mark Webber from Publisher's Clearing House' (HA) and asked if I received a letter letting me know I've won a prize...He said I won millions of dollars and a Mercedes that is scheduled to be delivered today...He said, 'Well, in order to complete the delivery there's a payment of $1,700.'"

Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls

Is area code 484 a scam?

No, area code 484 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Pennsylvania, United States. Area code 484 is a general purpose code that has been in service since June 5, 1999.

What are the most common area code 484 scams?

Most common 484 scam types are:

Why do I get spam calls from area code 484?

You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Pennsylvania, or have a 484 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:

  1. The Do Not Call Registry: Register your number at donotcall.gov
  2. Carrier Tools: Contact your phone carrier about their spam blocking solutions
  3. 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 Pennsylvania Area Codes

Other Pennsylvania area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: