The 551 area code is dangerous due to the "grandson in jail" emergency scam and IRS lawsuit threats. These criminals prey on your family loyalty or fear of the government to trick you into sending cash quickly.
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 551 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof New Jersey (Jersey City, Union City, Bayonne) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 551 scams based on user comments:
This is a cruel scam where a caller from a New Jersey number pretends to be your grandson or a public defender. They claim your relative was in a car accident, is intoxicated, and needs thousands of dollars for bail immediately. Scammers may use names like "David Bell" and ask for amounts ranging from $3,000 to $4,500.
Real public defenders are assigned by a court and do not call relatives demanding immediate bail money. Bail is processed through official channels at a courthouse or jail, not through a random caller demanding cash.
"This number called my husband’s grandmother claiming to be David Bell a public defender. Saying that my husband had been in a crash and was intoxicated and that she needed to send $3500 to bail him out. He even had her believing she was talking to my husband."
Residents in the 551 area code report receiving threatening robocalls claiming to be from the IRS. The automated voice states you are being named in a lawsuit and must call back immediately, or they will contact local county officials to "follow suit" and have you arrested.
The IRS's first contact with you will always be an official letter sent through the U.S. Mail. They will never call to threaten you with arrest, demand immediate payment over the phone, or ask for credit card numbers.
"Continous threating phone calls that I have been named in a lawsuit. That they are government officials that will contact local county officials to follow suit. Pretending to be police officers to get personal information. IRS was the organization that was named to be filing the suit."
This scam starts with an email, not a call, claiming you've been charged for a large purchase you didn't make, such as a "$449.00" Norton security subscription or over "$550.00" in BTC coin through PayPal. The email instructs you to call a 551 number to dispute the charge, where scammers will then try to get your credit card or bank account information under the guise of processing a "refund."
Legitimate companies do not use urgent, high-pressure emails to make you call a phone number for a refund. Scammers create a fake problem to trick you into giving up your financial information when you call them.
"Yes, got email stating I had 4 hours to call the number 551-210--8174 to cancel or dispute an order of $449 for annual subscription for Norton computer security. I made no order and will not call the number."
Scammers are calling from 551 numbers posing as debt collectors for companies like Transworld Systems or for unpaid MTA tolls. They are often extremely rude, refuse to tell you who they are collecting for, and threaten to "report you" if you don't pay. In one case, a victim with a valid E-ZPass was told they owed over $2,000 in fake unpaid tolls.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have the right to receive a written notice that details the debt and your rights. Legitimate collectors will provide this; scammers who are making up a debt cannot and will refuse.
"I got a call from this number claiming to be from the Transworld System Inc. who advised that i have a debt with MTA for unpaid tolls of $2,190. I advised them that it was impossible because i have E-Zpass and i pay automatically from my account."
These scammers are surprisingly sophisticated, sometimes knowing your actual outstanding balance with American Express to seem legitimate. They will call from a 551 number, come up as "American Express" on caller ID, and use aggressive tactics to pressure you into paying immediately with a debit card or bank account number, refusing to let you speak to a supervisor first.
While a real company might call about a balance, their representatives follow professional scripts and will never pressure you for payment information before answering your questions or allowing you to speak with a manager.
"He knew how much I owed and I tried to get a settlement number. He was SUPER aggressive. He wanted to know if I was going to pay with a debit card or a bank account number. I said I wanted to hear what his supervisor said. He said I needed to give him those numbers first. Big Red Flag!"
Callers from the 551 area code are targeting residents with threats to get their Social Security Number (SSN). They may threaten to sue you if you refuse to provide your number, or they might pretend to be from a company like "Apple Social Service" and ask for it under false pretenses.
No legitimate company or government agency will call you out of the blue and threaten you with legal action to obtain your Social Security number. Your SSN is a key to identity theft and must be protected.
"Threatens to sue you if you don't provide your Social Security Number. Apparent Identity Thieves."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 551 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in New Jersey, United States. Area code 551 is a general purpose code that has been in service since December 29, 2001.
Most common 551 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 New Jersey, or have a 551 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 New Jersey area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: