The 510 area code is being used for Social Security arrest threats and fake purchase refund schemes. Fraudsters try to scare you with jail time or trick you into fixing a fake charge on your account.
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 510 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof California (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 510 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 510 area code are being targeted by aggressive robocalls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration or the IRS. These automated messages threaten "legal enforcement actions" or an "arrest warrant" for supposed fraudulent activity linked to your Social Security Number, urging you to call back immediately to avoid legal proceedings.
The Social Security Administration and the IRS will never call you to threaten arrest or demand immediate payment. These agencies initiate contact through official U.S. Mail, not with intimidating robocalls.
"Department of Social Security Administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement actions filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities. So when you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings..."
This scam involves a robocall alerting you to a large, fake purchase on one of your accounts, often from Amazon, PayPal, or Apple. The messages mention specific products like an "Apple iPhone 15 Pro" or a "$1499 MacBook Pro" and instruct you to "press 1 to speak with a support rep" if you did not authorize the charge. The goal is to panic you into connecting with a scammer who will then try to steal your financial information.
Amazon, Apple, and PayPal do not call you to confirm purchases; they send email receipts. Pressing 1 connects you directly to a scam artist, not a legitimate customer service department.
"call from this number was to authorize payment to an Amazon Acct for the purchase of a $1499 MacBook Pro laptop. Said to press 1 if I don't authorize, to speak with a support rep."
Scammers are calling East Bay residents claiming a "formal complaint" is being filed against them and that the "next step will be filing necessary paperwork within your county." They use intimidating language and may provide a fake case number to seem legitimate. In some cases, they pose as being from "Alameda County Mediation Services" or as a "private locator" to try and trick you into giving up personal information.
Legitimate process servers do not call ahead to warn you they are coming; they simply show up. Furthermore, you cannot be "officially notified" of legal action through a voicemail message.
"We are contacting you in regards to a formal complaint that's in process of being filed form several different matters we are calling to verify that we do have the correct address for this individual the next step will be filing necessary paperwork within your county if you would like to speak with an agent press one..."
Scammers are spoofing their caller ID to appear as "Kaiser Permanente" or claim they are calling from Medicare. They may try to get you to confirm your name by saying "yes," which they can record for fraudulent purposes. Others will claim your Medicare card is being stopped due to "abuse" and will ask for your Social Security number to "fix" the issue.
Government agencies like Medicare will never cold-call you to ask for personal information. While Kaiser may call you, they will not use high-pressure tactics or try to trick you into saying "yes."
"Robocall fraud, said they were KAISER PERMANENTE and asked it I was myself!!! I have heard that a recording of your voice saying 'YES' can be used for fraud, so I said nothing and hung up."
These persistent robocalls claim they are making a "final attempt" to reach you about your car's expiring warranty. The automated message is designed to sound urgent, suggesting you'll lose coverage if you don't act now. These calls are often made to people with very old cars or no car at all, proving they are just blasting out calls to random numbers.
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer or dealer. They are from third-party companies trying to sell you expensive and often worthless extended service plans. Contact your dealership directly if you have questions about your warranty.
"Got a call about my 21 year old car's extended warranty. Definitely a scam"
A very specific scammer named "Kenyon Hall" is aggressively targeting law firms in the 510 area. He calls asking for an attorney by name regarding "life insurance," but refuses to say which company he represents. He speaks in a monotone, robotic voice and will repeatedly call back, becoming rude and demanding if he is denied access or hung up on.
Legitimate business professionals identify themselves and their company. This caller's aggressive tactics, refusal to provide information, and harassing behavior are hallmarks of a scam or a targeted harassment campaign.
"Kenyon Hall called our office and wanted to speak to my boss regarding life insurance. I put him on hold and came back to let him know my boss was not available... He then proceeded to question me on whether my boss was in the office or not... My boss told me to hang up and I did. He called back I let his call go to voicemail and he then got my bosses mobile from our office message and he called my boss and was rude to him."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 510 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 510 is a general purpose code that has been in service since September 2, 1991.
Most common 510 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 California, or have a 510 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 California area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: