Tucson's 520 area code is heavily used for fake legal action threats and Social Security number suspension schemes. Callers lie about court cases or frozen government accounts to panic you into paying them.
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 520 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Arizona (Tucson, Casas Adobes, Catalina Foothills) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 520 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the Tucson area are receiving aggressive calls threatening legal action over bogus complaints and old debts. Callers, sometimes identifying as "Susan Middleton" or from a "process division," claim a complaint has been filed against you, threaten to contact your HR or payroll department, and state you have been "officially notified." They create a false sense of urgency, insisting you call back immediately to resolve the matter before they serve you papers at home or work.
Official process servers do not call you in advance to warn you they are coming; their job is to serve you papers in person without prior notice. Legitimate debt collectors must provide a validation notice in writing and will not threaten to contact your employer as a first step.
"I have a legal claim against me and I have officially been notified. Complete scam."
This widespread robocall scam falsely claims there is a complaint or fraudulent activity linked to your Social Security number (SSN). The automated message, often from a woman's voice, states that your SSN has been suspended or that legal action is being filed. You are urged to "press 1 to speak with an officer" to avoid arrest or further legal trouble. Some callers identify themselves as being from the "federal crime investigation department" to scare you into acting.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will never call you to threaten you, suspend your SSN, or demand immediate payment. The SSA communicates primarily through U.S. Mail, not with threatening robocalls.
"Received a call from 520-214-6515 claiming to be with Social Security and told me that their is a court order to suspend all use of my social security number and to contact them... Complete and total scam."
One of the most persistent complaints in Southern Arizona involves relentless robocalls about your car's extended warranty. A recorded voice, sometimes named "Amy," will state that this is their "final notice" about your vehicle's expiring warranty. These callers often call multiple times a day from slightly different numbers and will hang up if you ask to be removed from their list. In many cases, they reference a car model that the recipient has never even owned.
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer or dealership. They are from third-party sellers using illegal robocalls and high-pressure tactics to sell often overpriced or worthless service plans.
"They have been calling for years about extending your car warranty. I finally let them transfer me to a technician and I told them to stop calling me. The guy got nasty and said now we are going to keep calling you all the time and laughed."
Many 520 residents are being bombarded with unsolicited texts and calls from individuals wanting to buy their property. These callers, using names like "Tyler HBuyer," "Beatrice," or "John from Webuyhouses," ask if you own a specific address and want to make a cash offer. They are extremely persistent, calling from multiple numbers even after being told no, and often have your name and address already.
While some of these inquiries may be from legitimate investors, they are frequently using illegal telemarketing practices by contacting numbers on the Do Not Call list. The "cash offers" are often far below market value and are aimed at pressuring homeowners into a quick, low-ball sale.
"Hi ******. I'm Tyler and my company HBuyers is looking to acquire property in the 85*** area. **** E 2*Rd St is yours right? reply stop to end. This a second TEXT though a different number."
Scammers are spoofing Tucson Electric Power's (TEP) phone number (520-623-7711) to trick customers. You receive a call, sometimes an automated message in Spanish, claiming your electricity bill is delinquent and your power will be shut off in 30-45 minutes. They then pressure you to "press 1" to speak with a representative and make an immediate payment to avoid disconnection. This is a high-pressure tactic designed to make you panic and pay without thinking.
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) does not call customers to demand immediate payment or threaten imminent disconnection. They communicate about overdue bills through the mail and official notices, not through high-pressure phone calls.
"Got a call from them saying they were TEP Collections and they were turning my power off in 35 minutes if I didn't resolve the bill. Total scam."
This scam targets seniors with calls about Medicare benefits, disability qualifications, or free medical alert devices. The call often starts with the scammer saying something like, "This is [Name] on a recorded line, can you hear me?" They are trying to get you to say "Yes." This recorded affirmation can then be used to authorize fraudulent charges or sign you up for services you never wanted.
Official Medicare representatives will not call you to sell you products or ask for your personal information unless you have specifically requested a call. The "Can you hear me?" opening is a well-known tactic used exclusively by scammers.
"Always says really fast how he's calling for some government hearing screaming on a recorded line then he will follow CAN YOU HEAR ME? Do not answer or say yes it's intended so they can use recorded yes for other scams."
This scam involves a robocall claiming to be from a major tech company like Amazon or Apple. The message will state there is a fraudulent purchase on your account, such as an iPhone, or that your iCloud account has been breached. They then direct you to press 1 to speak with a support representative, who is actually a scammer trying to steal your account details or financial information. They create panic by making you think your account is compromised.
Amazon and Apple will not call you about suspicious activity. They will notify you through official channels like email or notifications within their secure apps. They will never ask you to resolve a security issue over an incoming phone call.
"Call claims Amazon order was placed for an iPhone. Fraud."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 520 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Arizona, United States. Area code 520 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 19, 1995.
Most common 520 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 Arizona, or have a 520 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 Arizona area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: