The 530 area code is being used for federal arrest warrant threats and fake subscription renewal charges. Fraudsters claim you are in legal trouble or owe money for a service you never bought.
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 530 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof California (Redding, Chico, Davis) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 530 scams based on user comments:
This is an aggressive robocall scam where a recorded voice, often female, claims there are "four serious allegations" or fraudulent activity linked to your Social Security Number. The message threatens you will be "taken under custody by federal agents" or face arrest if you don't call them back immediately to resolve the matter.
The Social Security Administration and other federal agencies like the FBI will never call you to threaten arrest. They primarily communicate through official U.S. mail and will never demand payment or personal information over the phone to avoid legal action.
"After that you will be taken under custody by federal agents... there are four serious allegations pressed on your name at this moment you would request you to get back to us so that we can discuss about this case before taking any legal action against you..."
Scammers leave a robocall message claiming a subscription, often for "Microsoft," "Windows Defender," or "computer maintenance," is about to auto-renew. They threaten to charge your bank account or credit card for exactly $299 unless you call back immediately to cancel.
Legitimate companies do not call to threaten a charge and demand you call to cancel. Renewals are typically handled via email or are listed on your official billing statements. Furthermore, a real company would never need to remotely access your computer to issue a refund.
"They called my mom threatening her by saying That if she didn't call back that they would take $299 out of her bank account. They said they were from Upscription and it was about something that she never ordered. It was a robotic voice too."
This scam involves a live caller or robocall threatening you with legal action over a supposed debt or civil complaint. They may use intimidating language, claim they will serve you with papers, report you to your employer's HR department, or state you will "forfeit your rights" if you do not respond.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they simply show up and serve the documents. Legitimate debt collectors are required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to mail you a written notice about the debt. Threats to contact your employer about a debt are illegal.
"The hard voiced female threatens you with reporting you to human resources of your employer if you don't call back today, your last notification. Then she gives a 'case number RCF blah, blah.' And a final threat 'you have been warned'..."
You receive frequent, unsolicited calls about "extending your car's warranty." These callers often don't know what kind of car you drive, or if you even own one. This is an aggressive telemarketing campaign to sell you an overpriced vehicle service contract.
These calls are not from your vehicle's manufacturer or the dealership where you bought it. They are from third-party companies that use public records to target car owners with high-pressure sales pitches for policies that are often unnecessary and have very limited coverage.
"Calls about car insurance and that they have been trying to get ahold of me. I dont own a car. Like really dumbasses?"
This robocall targets local Northern California businesses, claiming to be from "Google." The message warns that your business listing is incomplete, at risk of being deleted, or not verified. They instruct you to press 1 to speak with a specialist, who is actually a salesperson trying to charge you for free services.
Google provides its Business Profile service for free. The company does not call businesses to threaten them about their listings or to sell optimization services. These callers are unaffiliated third-party marketers trying to scare you into buying their products.
"This is one of MANY robocalls that I receive at work, claiming to be from 'Google', informing me that my 'business listing' may be out of date... This is a well known con to sign you up for expensive but useless internet search services."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 530 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 530 is a general purpose code that has been in service since November 1, 1997.
Most common 530 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 530 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: