Louisville's 502 area code is seeing a rise in Social Security administration threats and fake utility disconnection calls. Callers pretend to be federal agents or LG&E representatives to panic you into sharing personal details or making immediate payments.
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 502 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Kentucky (Louisville, Georgetown, Jeffersontown) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 502 scams based on user comments:
You may receive a robocall claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. These scammers, reported frequently by your Kentucky neighbors, falsely state there's a "legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activity" and threaten you with arrest if you don't comply. They use fear to try and steal your personal information or money.
The real Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten arrest or demand immediate payment. They primarily communicate through U.S. mail. Any claims of "blocking" your number are completely false.
"Claiming they are from the SSA (Social Security Administration), stating there is a legal enforcement action filed on my Social Security number for fraudulent activity, even states that I will get arrested to try to scare me. This is a scam."
This aggressive scam involves a call that shows "LGE" or "Louisville Gas and Electric" on your caller ID. An automated message warns that your service is about to be disconnected for nonpayment and instructs you to press 1. Reports from the 502 area show that when you connect, a hostile agent will demand immediate payment to avoid a shutoff.
Utility companies like LG&E provide multiple written notices via mail well in advance of any service disconnection. They will not cold-call and demand immediate payment over the phone using aggressive tactics.
"It started as an automated call with caller ID from LGE (Louisville Gas and Electric). The message said I was getting ready to be disconnected for nonpayment and to press 1 to reach an operator. When a guy picked up (obviously foreign) I started off by saying it sounded like a scam. He said: 'If you think its a scam, why did you press 1 bitch'?"
Scammers are frequently calling Kentuckians pretending to be from Humana or a "Medicare advisor." They often use caller IDs that look legitimate, sometimes misspelled as "Humanan Health." Callers like "Richie" or "Marsha" may have your name and will try to discuss your "prescription drug plan" or "new options" to trick you into revealing personal information like your Medicare ID or Social Security number.
While your insurance provider might call you, they will never ask for sensitive data like your full Social Security number or bank account information over the phone in an unsolicited call. Scammers impersonate trusted companies to lower your guard.
"Guy with heavy Indian accent (India, not native American) said his name was Richie calling from Humana. Said their records show I have their prescription drug plan. He says changes are coming that he wants to discuss. I have had Humana for years and not once have they contacted me by phone."
This is one of the most persistent robocalls in the 502 area. You'll hear a recorded message stating, "We've been trying to reach you concerning your vehicle's extended warranty." They often call about cars you've never owned and use high-pressure tactics to sell you an overpriced and often worthless service contract. If you tell them they have the wrong information, they may feign surprise and call back later.
These calls are not from your car manufacturer or dealer. They are from third-party telemarketers selling expensive service plans. Engaging with them often leads to more calls, not fewer.
"They call all the time 'this is xyz, calling about the warranty expiring on...'. And it's a different vehicle each time, never one we have ever owned. We've told them they have the wrong info every time and they always act so overly surprised with the 'you've got to be kidding me'!"
This scam uses intimidation to frighten you into paying a non-existent debt. Callers will claim a "client has filed a claim" against you and that if you don't resolve it, they will "show up at your residence." They may even tell you to have an attorney present, a tactic designed to scare you into acting without thinking.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you they are coming; they simply deliver the legal documents in person. Legitimate debt collectors are required to provide you with written information about the debt. Threats of immediate legal action over the phone are a classic scam tactic.
"they keep calling me that a client has filed a claim with them and the issue needs to be resolved, otherwise they will show up at my residence and i better have an attorney present .it's a waste of time even listening to this message.these scammers normally target the elderly to scare them with these tactics."
This is a tricky tactic where the scammer's only goal is to get you to say the word "yes." The call may start with a simple question like, "Can you hear me?" or "Is this [Your Name]?" Once you say "yes," they immediately hang up. They have recorded your voiceprint to use as authorization for fraudulent charges.
A recording of your voice saying "yes" can be edited and used as a voice signature to authorize charges on phone bills, credit cards, or other accounts. The initial call is just to capture that one word.
"When I answered it was a real person asking a question and I said 'yes.' As soon as he had it he hung up. These are used to get to accounts or verify things with voice recognition."
You may receive unsolicited calls or texts from individuals like "Ashley," "Loretta," or "Jackson" claiming they are "local home buyers" interested in your property. They often know your name and address, making the call seem more legitimate. They typically offer to buy your house with cash, "regardless of the condition," to entice you into a quick, lowball sale.
These callers are often predatory wholesalers or investors, not traditional homebuyers. Their goal is to get you to agree to sell your home for significantly less than its market value, then they resell the contract for a profit.
"Receiving calls to my home and cell phone from 502-842-1028 from Ashley: '...we drove past your property other day and we'd love to talk to you about it if you could give me a call back...'"
This robocall scam claims you need to authorize a large payment for a product you never ordered, such as an "Apple iPhone 16 pro" for "$999." The message instructs you to press 1 if you did not authorize the payment. This is a trick to connect you to a live scammer who will then try to get your account login or credit card information to "cancel" the fake order.
Companies like Amazon and Apple will never call you to authorize a purchase. Order confirmations are sent via email. The scammer's entire goal is to create panic so you'll give them the information they need to access your real accounts.
"Left automated voice mail asking me to 'authorize payment of $999 for recent order of iPhone 16 pro.' I have not ordered an iPhone and it is not from my bank."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 502 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Kentucky, United States. Area code 502 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 502 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 Kentucky, or have a 502 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 Kentucky area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: