The 636 area code is known for relentless Car Shield warranty calls and fake prize winnings. Callers promise you huge cash prizes or extended vehicle coverage to get your credit card details.
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 636 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Missouri (O'Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 636 scams based on user comments:
Residents in St. Charles County and surrounding areas are being bombarded with calls from scammers and aggressive telemarketers claiming to be from "Car Shield." These callers, who can contact you up to 8 times a day, often use threatening language and will call from a variety of numbers even after you've blocked them.
While Car Shield is a real Missouri-based company, these aggressive and often illegal calling tactics are hallmarks of third-party lead generation companies or outright scammers. Legitimate businesses typically respect the National Do Not Call Registry and will not threaten you.
"Actually I have repeatedly said not to call take my number off the list. Today I got threatened by the caller. Saying he would kill me? Really? And you want people to buy your product?"
This scam targets you with a call from a restricted number claiming you've won an enormous prize, often "$18.5 million," from Publishers Clearinghouse or a similar entity. To "verify" your prize, callers like "Robert Green" or "Kimberly Michell" will direct you to call a different number, 636-251-5273, which they falsely claim is Bank of America. The final step is a demand for an upfront payment of around $2,500 to cover taxes or registration fees, often requested via "Vanilla gift cards."
Publishers Clearinghouse, Bank of America, and other legitimate companies will never ask you to pay a fee or buy gift cards to claim a prize. This is a classic advance-fee fraud scheme designed to steal your money with the false promise of a larger reward.
"Got a call that claimed to be Publishers Clearinghouse... I was told to call this number to verify my 'winners account'. Then I'd have to go buy $2500 in Vanilla gift cards and call another number so I could give them the gift card barcodes to pay for registering a new suv."
A persistent robocall campaign from a female voice, often identifying as "Alex from We Buy Houses St. Louis," is plaguing 636 phone lines. These callers completely disregard the Do Not Call list, using spoofed local numbers to get you to answer. The voicemail they leave instructs you to call back a different number, frequently 636-355-3625, to get a "cash offer" for your home.
These callers are often real estate wholesalers who use illegal robocalling tactics to generate leads. Legitimate real estate agents do not rely on harassing, illegal robocalls that violate the National Do Not Call Registry.
"Hey this is Alex with we buy houses in St. Louis I was calling to see if you have a house you might be interested in selling if you do please give us a call back and we can make you a cash offer for it feel free to reach us at 636-355-3625..."
Scammers are calling 636 residents with terrifying and false threats of impending legal action or arrest. They may claim to be a "mediator" for a litigation company like "Mutual Recovery" or "Resource Management" regarding an old or nonexistent debt. These callers use high-pressure tactics, threatening to have you served papers at work and claiming "all your legal rights will be forfeited" if you don't comply immediately.
Legitimate debt collectors are not allowed to harass you, lie, or threaten you with arrest. They must provide you with written information about the debt and cannot discuss it with third parties like your family or employer.
"Horrible person. Calls ur work, and family acting like a cop. Saying 'you will be found' and 'all ur legal rights will be forfeited'. She is a real cunt."
This alarming scam uses a robotic voice to inform you that your Social Security Number (SSN) has been "associated with illegal activity" or "has been blocked." The goal is to create panic and trick you into providing personal information or a credit card number to "dispose of the issue." In some cases, they will falsely claim you recently applied for disability benefits to engage you in conversation.
The real Social Security Administration communicates through official U.S. mail. They do not call people to warn them about "illegal activity" or to demand payment to resolve an issue with their SSN.
"Threatening call claiming that they will take legal action because my social security number has been associated with 'illegal actvity'...no business name, robotic voice (very creepy), a nasty call"
You may receive a robocall from "Heather at Account Services" regarding your "current credit card accounts." The recording falsely claims it is "urgent" that you call back to lower your interest rate to "as little as 6.9 percent." This is presented as a "final notice" to create a false sense of urgency and trick you into pressing 1 to speak with a scammer who will then attempt to get your credit card information.
While you can negotiate interest rates, your credit card company will not use unsolicited robocalls with vague "final notices" to do it. This is a phishing scam designed to steal your credit card number and personal information.
"Hello this is Heather at Account Services and we're calling in reference to your current credit card accounts... it is urgent however that you contact us concerning your eligibility for lowering your interest rates to as little as 6.9 percent your eligibility expires shortly so please consider this your final notice..."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 636 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Missouri, United States. Area code 636 is a general purpose code that has been in service since May 22, 1999.
Most common 636 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 Missouri, or have a 636 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 Missouri area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: