Wisconsin's 608 area code is being used for fake legal threats and Social Security disability scams. The callers claim you are in trouble with the law to pressure you into handing over cash or gift cards.
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 608 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Wisconsin (Madison, Janesville, La Crosse) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 608 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are calling Wisconsin residents claiming a civil complaint or legal action has been filed against you. They often use threatening language, mentioning local courts like the "Milwaukee County Circuit Court" or alleging fake crimes like "electronic wire fraud" from years ago. In other cases, a robocall from "Karen Murphy" might warn that after a third failed attempt to contact you, they will notify your HR or payroll department.
Legitimate process servers do not call you ahead of time to warn you they are coming; they just show up. Furthermore, you cannot be arrested for a civil debt, and official court notices are served in person or sent via certified mail, not through a robocall.
"I got this call saying 'I received an order in my office today to complete a claim for several pending matters you are currently being investigated for. Today I will be verifying your current address and place of employment... failure to respond will result in forfeiture of your right to resolve this matter, and a complaint will be filed against you in your county.'"
Residents are receiving calls claiming they have recently applied for or may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, even when they haven't. Callers may identify themselves as "Audrey from ss disability" or a "young girl" who jumps right into a script "confirming you requested to update your social security benefit" without using your name.
The Social Security Administration primarily communicates through U.S. Mail. They will not call you to ask for personal information or to tell you about eligibility for benefits unless you have already initiated contact with them and have a pending application.
"The lady said she saw that I had recently applied for Social Security benefits. I told her, no, I did not. I also told her that I was currently collecting Social Security. She then said, 'Oh, O.K., thank you, goodbye'."
This is a very specific scam where a caller, often with an Indian accent and using a name like "Mike Walker" or "Frank Wynn," claims to be from DirecTV or Dish Network. They state your service will be cut off unless you get a mandatory "software upgrade" or that they need to "move the satellite position." They then demand a one-time fee, ranging from over $300 to $1,193, promising a credit on future bills.
Major satellite providers like DirecTV and Dish do not call customers to demand large, upfront payments for mandatory equipment or satellite upgrades. These types of service changes are typically communicated on your bill or through official company mailings.
"Caller told me that DirecTV needed to update my receiver because they were moving the satellite position for better reception. Then said there was a charge for the upgrade. When I asked what kind of scam it was he started trying to berate me."
You've likely received these relentless robocalls about your car's extended warranty. Scammers, sometimes identifying as "Shelly from the warranty activation center," will falsely claim your warranty is about to expire. They use aggressive tactics and may refuse to remove you from their list, with one caller even replying "NO" when asked.
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer or dealership. They are from third-party companies using scare tactics to sell often overpriced and subpar service contracts. Your actual manufacturer will contact you via mail for official warranty or recall information.
"auto warranty robocall scammer called me at 2AM! Scared the crap out of me because I have 2 ill family members... At 2am you think something is terribly wrong. And then it's a recording telling you that the car you don't own has an expired warranty."
Callers are impersonating Publisher's Clearing House (PCH) and telling victims they've won a major prize, like $421,000 or even $2.5 million. The scammer, using a name like "David Myers" (badge number 3561) or "George Fisher," will try to gain your trust with confirmation numbers. The catch is that you must first pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for bogus "IRS payments," "FDIC insurance," or "W-2 processing" before you can receive your prize.
The real Publisher's Clearing House Prize Patrol will never call you to announce a major prize. They famously show up on your doorstep with balloons, flowers, and a giant check. Any request for a fee to cover taxes or insurance is a guaranteed scam.
"Got a call from David Meyers PCH, saying I had won a large sum of money... He gave me his badge number 3561 and a confirmation number... He wanted to know my bank, which I refused to give him. I told him it was a scam and he immediately hung up."
Scammers are sending text messages pretending to be from state unemployment offices, including the "MD DEPT of LABOR" (sometimes misspelled "labour") or the "State of Wisconsin Unemployment Office." The text will claim there's a computer issue or that you need to validate your information, urging you to click a suspicious link.
Government agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), will not send you a text message with a link asking you to verify your identity or update your claim information. Official communication is handled through their secure online portal or U.S. Mail.
"I received a text message from (608) 888-9956 which indicates that it is from State of Wisconsin Unemployment Office. This is a scam as Wisconsin doesn't have a department called Unemployment Office. It states they had a computer issue and need me to validate information."
This scam starts with the caller immediately asking, "Can you hear me?" or "Can you hear me okay?" The entire goal is to get you to say "Yes." Callers often state they are on a "recorded line" to seem legitimate. Scammers record your "Yes" and can then use it as a voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges on your phone bill or credit cards.
Legitimate callers from businesses you know will identify themselves and the purpose of their call first. Starting a call by trying to bait you into saying "Yes" is a deceptive tactic used exclusively by scammers for voice phishing.
"Came up as McFarland number -- very nearby to us... I answered to someone who said something about 'security' and said that I was on a recorded line and then asked if I could hear them okay. I said 'yes' and hung up."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 608 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Wisconsin, United States. Area code 608 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1955.
Most common 608 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 Wisconsin, or have a 608 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 Wisconsin area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: