Austin's 512 area code is rife with calls about Social Security criminal activity and fake process servers. Scammers claim your identity is linked to a crime or that you are being sued to get your money.
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 512 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Texas (Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 512 scams based on user comments:
This is the most common scam targeting the 512 area code. You'll receive a robocall claiming "legal enforcement actions" have been filed against your Social Security Number for criminal activities. The recording threatens to suspend your number, freeze your accounts, or issue a warrant for your arrest if you don't call them back immediately.
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten you or demand payment. They do not suspend SSNs. Official communication will almost always come via U.S. Mail, not a threatening robocall from an Austin number.
"Call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions filed on your Social Security ... activities so when you get this message kindly revert as soon as possible on our number that is 512256824 I repeat 512-256-8244 before we begin with the legal proceedings thank you and have a nice day..."
Scammers call claiming they have been "retained to serve you with documents" at your home or place of employment. They often use official-sounding but fake company names like "Sullivan and Associates," "HCL Dispatch," or "Location Services" and may even reference a specific Texas county like Travis or Williamson to sound credible. The goal is to scare you into calling back to "resolve the matter," which always involves paying them money for a non-existent debt or fine.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they are legally required to serve you in person without prior notice. They will never ask for payment over the phone to make a lawsuit disappear.
"I have been retained to serve you with documents to appear at either your residence or your place of employment. If you have any questions of concerns about this complaint or with to rectify the matter, you can hit any key on your phone to connect to our office directly... You have officially been notified."
Scammers are spoofing the phone numbers of real government agencies, including the Texas Comptroller and City of Austin Utilities. They will leave an urgent message about an "important tax matter" with a bogus Tax ID number or claim your electricity is about to be shut off for non-payment, demanding you call back immediately to resolve it.
The Texas Comptroller's office and City of Austin Utilities initiate contact through official mail for tax or billing issues. They provide multiple notices and formal payment options long before any serious action is taken.
"Trying to impersonate TX Comptroller about 'an important tax matter' in reference to a bogus Tax ID number and gives a bogus 800 number to call."
You'll get a robocall claiming your Apple iCloud account has been compromised or that there was a suspicious, large purchase on your Amazon account. A different version of this scam says your computer tech support service is about to auto-renew for $299 or $399 and you must call back to cancel the charge. The goal is to get your credit card information or remote access to your computer.
Legitimate companies like Apple and Amazon will not call you about a security issue. They handle these notifications through email, app alerts, or secure messages within your official account.
"Robocall saying I had just purchased a $1,000 iphone from Amazon."
This scam starts with a piece of physical mail. Austin-area residents report receiving a handwritten card, often postmarked from Boise, Idaho, which claims they have "a couple items on hold." The note is signed by "Jasmine Fidelis," provides a reference number, and tells you to call a 512 number to schedule delivery. This is a bait-and-switch tactic to get you on the phone for a high-pressure sales pitch.
This is a marketing gimmick, not a real delivery notice. Residents who called the number report it leads to a sales call for services like plumbing or air duct cleaning, using the fake package as a hook.
"Got a handwritten letter saying they have items on hold for me and gave this number to call and schedule delivery. Kinda weird since I haven't ordered anything to need delivery. There was no other information except the name on the card, Jasmine Fidelis..."
Scammers are calling from a number that can appear to be from University Federal Credit Union (UFCU), claiming you have an overdue bill or a problem with your account. They often have some of your information, like an address, and will try to get you to "confirm" more sensitive details like your full account number.
While UFCU may legitimately contact you, they will never pressure you or object if you want to hang up and call them back on their main, publicly listed phone number to ensure your security. If a call feels wrong, trust your instincts.
"They called me saying they are my bank University Federal Credit Union. So I called my bank on my office phone and put them on speaker and let them ask some questions to the scam caller and they hung up the phone."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 512 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Texas, United States. Area code 512 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 512 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 Texas, or have a 512 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 Texas area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: