Callers from the 603 area code frequently try the "Howard, Clark & Associates" legal threat scam. They claim you are being sued or have unpaid debts to trick you into making an immediate payment.
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Getting calls from 603 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof New Hampshire (Manchester, Nashua, Concord) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 603 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the 603 area code are being targeted by callers pretending to be from a law firm, often named "Howard, Clark & Associates" or "Mediation Services," supposedly located in Salem, NH. They threaten you with a "civil complaint" or imminent legal action, referencing a fake case number like 524860. These callers, using names like Kevin Forte, Kathy Mendez, or Amy McNeil, insist they need to serve you with legal documents at your home or work and pressure you to call back immediately to avoid "waiving your right to counsel."
Real process servers do not call ahead to schedule a delivery; they simply show up. Legitimate law firms and debt collectors communicate via official U.S. mail and will not use high-pressure phone threats to initiate contact.
"My husband received two calls from Kevin Hall with Howard Clark and Associates saying that a civil claim was going to be filed against him... No law firm will call you before filing a suit and process servers don’t call to check if you’re home before serving you with papers."
This is one of the most common robocalls in New Hampshire. You'll get a recorded message that starts with a familiar line: "We have been trying to contact you about your vehicle's extended warranty." The callers rarely know what car you drive and create a false sense of urgency that your coverage is about to expire, even if your car is brand new or you sold it years ago.
Your vehicle's manufacturer or dealership will contact you via official mail about legitimate warranty matters, not through a barrage of unsolicited robocalls from an unknown "Auto Warranty Services."
"Got a call from auto warranty services. Asked for the name of the company and they hang up. Block them and they still get through on the same number, 11 times today."
These scams use fear to manipulate you. Callers will claim your Social Security Number has been "suspended due to fraudulent activities" or that they are from the IRS and federal agents are on their way to arrest you. The goal is to panic you into giving them personal information or money immediately.
Government agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration initiate contact via official U.S. mail. They do not suspend SSNs over the phone and will never threaten you with immediate arrest for tax or benefits issues.
"Terrible robo voice trying to intimidate me that they are from the IRS and that federal agents will take me into custody if I do not return their call. Bite me you shitbag robot."
Scammers are calling New Hampshire residents pretending to be from tech giants like Apple or Amazon. The "Apple" scam claims your iCloud account has been breached and tries to get you to log into your computer to give them remote access. The "Amazon" scam claims there's a fraudulent purchase on your account, often for an expensive item like a $900 iPhone, and instructs you to press 1 to cancel the order.
Amazon and Apple will not call you about account problems unless you have already contacted them for support. They use secure methods like in-app notifications and official emails, not random robocalls.
"Got a robo call claiming to be Amazon wanted to confirm my purchase of a I-phone in the amount of $900. I did not respond to it request to press 1 to speak to a representative. I let it sit until it hung up."
Callers are claiming to be collecting donations for organizations like the "NH State Troopers Association" or local firefighter funds. They often use polite but extremely persistent tactics, sometimes thanking you for a past donation you never made to build trust. Reports from residents confirm that the actual NH State Police are aware of these scams and are not conducting phone solicitations.
Legitimate charities do not use high-pressure tactics. If you feel pressured, it's almost certainly a scam. You can verify charitable organizations through government resources before donating.
"These people claim to be the NH State Troopers but are not. I called the NH state police and they confirmed it's a scam, but declined to do anything about it, and instead told me to call the municipal police in my city."
This is a tricky scam where the goal is to record your voice saying "Yes." The call often begins immediately with a simple question like, "Hi, this is Erin, can you hear me okay?" Once you say "Yes," they hang up. Your recorded affirmation can then be used to authorize fraudulent charges on bills or services.
Legitimate callers will always identify themselves and their company before asking questions. This tactic is specifically designed to trick you into providing a voice signature without your knowledge.
"She said her name was Erin and that she was a vacation specialist and asked if i could hear her ok. I answered 'yes' and she hung up."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 603 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in New Hampshire, United States. Area code 603 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 603 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 Hampshire, or have a 603 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.