The 509 area code is targeted by solicitors like "Nathan from Liberty Lake" and frightening calls about serious allegations against you. Callers use high pressure sales tactics or threats of arrest to manipulate you.
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 509 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Washington (Spokane, Yakima, Spokane Valley) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 509 scams based on user comments:
Residents in Spokane, Liberty Lake, and Benton City are being hammered by aggressive real estate solicitations. Callers frequently identify themselves as "Nathan from the Liberty Lake area" representing a small family-owned company, or as "DaBella," an aggressive window and roofing contractor claiming you filled out an online form for a quote.
Legitimate real estate investors and contractors do not rely on illegal robocalls or harassment to generate business. If a contractor claims you filled out a form you don't remember, it is a lead-generation tactic, not a mistake.
"Said their name was Nathan from the Liberty Lake area and that he owns a small family owned house buying company. He mentioned my address and wanted to know if I would sell?"
A frightening, automated campaign is targeting the 509 area code, threatening residents with "unbailable arrest" by "local cops." The pre-recorded messages often claim to be from the IRS or a "law office," stating that four serious allegations have been pressed against your name and you must call back within 24 hours.
The IRS will never initiate contact with a threatening phone call or demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. Real law enforcement officers do not call to warn you that they are coming to arrest you.
"Received the same voice message: 'request has been made that the local cops and there are 4 serious allegations pressed on your name at this moment...'"
Scammers are spoofing local numbers to pose as Amazon or Microsoft support, often using names like "Jack Brown," "George," or "Christina." They falsely claim there is a suspicious order for an "iPhone 12" on your Amazon account or that a $299 to $6,800 security subscription fee is about to be debited from your bank.
Tech companies like Microsoft and retailers like Amazon do not call customers to warn them about fraudulent charges or auto-renewals. These calls are designed to panic you into granting remote access to your banking devices.
"'Jack Brown' who has a heavy Indian accent said they would automatically charge my bank account $299 for Microsoft security renewal at the end of the day... according to him I had to be on my computer and fill out a form to do that."
Callers are targeting Eastern Washington residents claiming they have won millions from Publishers Clearing House or a grant from the "Treasury Department." A specific script involves a woman named "Rebecca Howlett" (extension 162) telling victims they won $9,000 but must pay a fee via Western Union to collect it.
Legitimate sweepstakes and government grants never require you to pay a fee to receive money. If you have to pay to get the prize, it is a scam.
"A Rebecca Howlett gave confirmation number stating that i was selected and won $9,000 from treasury department of Grants from Washington... That i can go to any western union and pay $200 to collect."
Spammers using names like "Hannah," "Marsha," or "Naomi" are flooding lines with robocalls about hearing aids, back braces, and medical alerts. These calls often begin with "Can you hear me okay?" to trick you into saying "Yes," which verifies your line for future harassment.
Medicare does not make unsolicited sales calls. These are third-party lead generators trying to bill insurance for unnecessary medical equipment.
"Said ‘her name was Hannah and she was a hearing something and she asked if I could hear her? I answered ‘Yes’ then they hung up... I asked her what business she was calling from and she said... Our household was eligible for 45 days of free hearing aids."
Job seekers are being targeted by a robocall from a "Conner" or "Employment Department" claiming they saw a resume online. These calls are vague, often asking for the wrong name (like "Mike"), and hang up or disconnect if you ask specific questions.
Legitimate recruiters will know your name, the specific role they are hiring for, and your professional background. They do not use pre-recorded messages to screen candidates.
"She said she was from an Employment Agency and that she saw my resume online. Then she said, 'Can you hear me?' After I made the mistake of saying, 'Yes,' the line went dead."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 509 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Washington, United States. Area code 509 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1957.
Most common 509 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 Washington, or have a 509 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 Washington area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: