The 571 area code is seeing harassment from fake realtors like "Omar" and phantom debt collectors. These callers endlessly bug you to sell your home or pay off bills that do not actually exist.
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 571 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Centreville) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 571 scams based on user comments:
A man identifying as "Omar," "AJ," or "Omar Kassam" is aggressively targeting real estate agents in Northern Virginia and nationwide. He typically texts with a simple "Are you a realtor?" before pressuring agents, almost always female, into a FaceTime or WhatsApp video call where he makes bizarre, harassing, or sexually suggestive requests.
Legitimate home buyers will have specific properties in mind, be prepared to discuss their budget and financing, and will not immediately demand a video call or make inappropriate personal requests. This individual's goal is harassment, not real estate.
"I am a realtor and received a text from 'AJ' (no previous contact before this) insisting that we face time but after responding no several times I said I was blocking him and he replied 'Are you scared on FaceTime bitch'."
Callers from Northern Virginia numbers are posing as mediators from fake firms like "Davidson & Associates," threatening residents with lawsuits and "federal charges" for old payday loans you likely never took out. A very hostile woman, sometimes named "Candace Crawford," will accuse you of "theft by deception" and demand an immediate payment of around $500 to make the "civil claim" go away.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires real debt collectors to provide written proof of a debt if you ask for it. They are legally forbidden from threatening you with arrest or charges they cannot actually bring.
"ON 7/2/19 I received a call...stating that it was Davis and Associates with a mediator because they had a pending case against me...was met with a very hostile woman...regarding a supposed debt that I owed to a bank institution and that if i did not provide payment for said debt that 1 federal charges would be filed against me. The first charge would be violating federal banking regulation and the second being theft by deception."
This is a widespread automated robocall that falsely claims your Social Security Number has been used in "suspicious and fraudulent activity." The recording threatens to suspend your SSN "on an immediate basis" and warns of "legal consequences" if you disregard this "last and final attempt to reach you."
The Social Security Administration does not call people to threaten them. Your Social Security number cannot be suspended or terminated. Official government agencies will almost always contact you first via U.S. Mail, not with a threatening robocall from a Virginia number.
"We have an order to suspend your Social Security number on an immediate basis due to suspicious and fraudulent activity found on your social this is the last and final attempt to reach you as this case is critical and need your urgent attention towards this matter if you try to disregard this message the situation will unfolds on you and you may face legal consequences..."
Scammers are calling residents, particularly the elderly, and falsely claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House with news of a multi-million dollar prize. In a tragic local case, a victim's 82-year-old mother was convinced she won $3 million but was scammed out of $280,000 by paying fraudulent fees to "claim" her prize.
The real Publishers Clearing House notifies its major prize winners in person with their famous "Prize Patrol" and never asks for money to claim a prize. If someone calls asking for a fee to release your winnings, it is always a scam.
"yes. claimed to be publishers clearing house and told my 82 year old mother she had won $3 million dollars. stole $280,000.00 from my mother"
These are the relentless, high-volume robocalls trying to sell you an extended warranty for your vehicle. The recorded message often creates a false sense of urgency, and speaking to an operator to be removed can lead to a hostile response from a rude agent.
These calls are almost never from your car's manufacturer. They are from third-party companies using deceptive tactics to sell service contracts that are often overpriced and may not cover necessary repairs.
"This number keeps calling me multiple times a day about 'renewing my car warranty'. Today I decided to just speak to someone to have them remove my number off their list, and the person who answered decided to tell me how much of a rude b**** I was for wanting to be taken off the list."
Scammers are calling seniors in our area claiming to be from "Simple Medical" or your health insurance company. They often have personal details like your name and date of birth, and will ask about your back and knee pain in an attempt to fraudulently bill Medicare for medical equipment you don't need.
Official Medicare representatives will never call you to sell you products. Offers of "free" medical supplies in exchange for your Medicare number are a common sign of healthcare fraud.
"The caller had my name, address and DOB. He said he was calling from 'Simple Medical,' a Medicare provider, concerning my back and knee pain. I told him I would check out the company, and call back if it was legitimate."
Local business owners are receiving calls from a company named "OM Marketing" claiming they need to "update your business information with Google." They will try to charge you hundreds of dollars, such as a $299 fee, for services like managing keywords that you can do yourself for free.
Managing your Google Business Profile, including updating information and adding keywords, is a completely free service provided by Google. Anyone trying to charge you for this basic service is a scammer.
"I received a call from this company stating that they needed to update my business information with Google and wanted to charge me $299 bucks to do so. I told them I already have a google my business account free of charge and will not be paying no $299. The guy then says you will be paying for the key words...The guy then hung up."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 571 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Virginia, United States. Area code 571 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 1, 2000.
Most common 571 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 Virginia, or have a 571 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 Virginia area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: