Lansing's 517 area code is prone to Social Security arrest warrant threats and fake legal proceeding calls. Fraudsters try to terrify you with the threat of police action to get immediate payment.
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 517 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Michigan (Lansing, East Lansing, Jackson) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 517 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 517 area are receiving aggressive robocalls claiming to be from the "legal Department of Social Security Administration." The automated message threatens that an enforcement action has been executed against your social security number and you will be arrested if you don't call them back immediately.
The real Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten your arrest. They primarily communicate through official U.S. mail, and they do not demand personal information or payments over the phone with threats.
"This message is from legal Department of Social Security Administration... The purpose of this call is regarding an enforcement action, which has been executed by the US Treasury against your social security number ignoring. This would be an intentional attempt to avoid initial appearance before the Magistrate Judge... before you get arrested currently call us back on our department number."
This scam involves a robocall or live person threatening you with a lawsuit or legal proceedings. They claim you will be served papers at your home or place of employment and must have identification ready, trying to scare you into calling back and providing personal information or payment.
Official legal notices are delivered in person by a process server or through certified mail, not via a warning phone call. A real server will not call you to ensure you have your ID ready; they simply show up.
"Tried calling to tell me that I was being sued and to have my driver license presentable on the date of the papers to be handed out, never once acknowledging myself by name or an address. Was threatened to be served at place of employment."
Scammers are spoofing Consumers Energy's name on caller ID and using robocalls to claim your power will be shut off for non-payment. The message urges you to press 1 to speak with someone, who will then demand immediate payment, sometimes asking if you use payment apps like Cashapp.
Consumers Energy provides multiple written notices by mail or email before shutting off service. They do not call and demand immediate payment over the phone to avoid a same-day disconnection.
"This number called me and claims to be Consumers Energy. An automated system claims that your account will be shut off if you don't connect with a person. When I connected with them he stated he was from Consumers Energy and said my account was flagged... I told him that's funny because I do not have an account with Consumers. He asked me if I used Cashapp, I replied no, and he hung up the phone."
Callers are targeting mid-Michigan residents with a variety of health insurance scams. They may claim they need to send you an "updated Medicare card," ask about prescription help, or pose as representatives from the Michigan Health Department, often using a spoofed phone number.
The government and Medicare will never call you to ask for your personal information to send an updated card. New cards are sent automatically, and official agencies will not call you asking to verify information they should already have.
"The number belongs to the Michigan Health Department. After several calls during the day, I finally answered. The caller, who may have been from India, stated 'they needed to send me an updated Medicare card and wanted to confirm my address'. When asked 'where are you calling from' he didn't answer, so I hung up...obvious scammer."
You may receive a call claiming to be from Apple support, stating that your iCloud account has been breached. This is a phishing attempt designed to panic you into giving them remote access to your computer or revealing your Apple ID password and personal information.
Apple does not make unsolicited phone calls to inform you about a breached iCloud account. All official security notifications are sent via email to your registered Apple ID address or as notifications directly on your Apple devices.
"Called said they were from Apple and that my iCloud account had been breached. Lol, seriously!"
This scam involves a call telling you that you've won millions of dollars and a new car, such as a "brand new 2020 Mercedes." To collect your winnings, the caller, who may identify as "John Richard," instructs you to first send them money for fees, often to an out-of-state address in places like Lubbock, TX.
Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes never require you to pay a fee to claim your prize. Taxes are paid directly to the IRS after you have received your winnings, not to the company that awarded the prize.
"Barely audible fake sweepstakes call. I won a 3.5 million cashiers check and a brand new 2020 Mercedes. Supposed to call John Richard @ 803-599-6319."
Local businesses are being targeted by callers trying to gain information about their credit card processing services. A caller, often a rude woman identifying herself as being from "Premier," will start by asking if you accept credit cards to try and get you to transfer the call to the person in charge of your merchant account.
Legitimate business partners and service providers will identify themselves and the purpose of their call clearly. This tactic is used by aggressive third-party payment processors to trick you into a sales pitch or a bad contract.
"A woman called asking if we accepted credit cards. When asked what company she represented she said 'Premier.' She was incredibly rude when prompted for more information and hung up after refusing to answer questions."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 517 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Michigan, United States. Area code 517 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 517 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 Michigan, or have a 517 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 Michigan area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: