The 650 area code is heavily used for Google account security scams and business listing threats. Callers pretend to be from tech companies to steal your passwords or force business owners to pay for free services.
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 650 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof California (San Mateo, Daly City, Redwood City) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 650 scams based on user comments:
Scammers spoof a Google number like 650-203-0000, often with a convincing American male voice, claiming your account has been compromised from a remote location like London, Germany, or Norway. They will then try to log into your account, triggering a real security prompt on your phone, and pressure you to approve it to "secure" your account, which actually gives them full access.
Google will never call you unsolicited to report a security issue. Official security alerts are sent via email to your recovery address or as notifications directly on your devices. They will never ask you to approve a login attempt over the phone.
"Got a call from 1-650-203-0000. GOOGLE assistant. Telling me my Gmail account had been hacked. Please do this and the other. I did not however the did manage to hack my Gmail account and 15 seconds later tried to hack my Coinbase account."
Bay Area residents report numerous small, unauthorized charges appearing on their bank and credit card statements. These fraudulent charges often list "FACEBK," "METAPAY," or "GOOGLE *SERVICES" with a 650 area code number like 650-543-4800 or 650-253-0000, sometimes for things like "Google Konami" or "Tic Tok Live" that victims never purchased.
This is direct payment fraud. Scammers obtain card numbers from data breaches and test them with small charges before making larger ones. Legitimate companies like Meta (Facebook) and Google do not randomly charge your card for services you didn't authorize.
"Citibank card was repeatedly hit for $1.07 for Google stuff. Closed card, reissued card immediately hit for same amount. Quit Citibank. Last I heard the card was still taking hits."
Aimed at local business owners, this robocall falsely claims your Google Business Listing is "at risk of displaying incorrectly" or being suspended. They pressure you to press 1 to speak with an agent to "check the status," which is a trick to sell you unnecessary SEO or listing management services.
Google does not make automated calls threatening to suspend your business listing. While they may occasionally use an automated system or a live person to verify details like business hours, they will never use high-pressure tactics or threaten to delete your profile to sell you a service.
"This is an important message do not hang up the phone your Google business listing is at risk of displaying incorrectly We've tried numerous times to contact you by telephone so we can check the status of your listing... press one now to check the status of your Google listing if you're the business owner press one now Press 2 to be removed from this list."
Scammers leave urgent voicemails claiming "allegations" have been filed against you or that you will be served with legal documents at your home or work. They use scare tactics, mentioning "legal proceedings" or a "civil matter" and demanding you or your attorney call back immediately to resolve a non-existent issue.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; their job is to serve you papers in person without prior notice. Legitimate debt collectors are required by law to send you a written validation notice by mail.
"I got a call from 650.292.2410 regarding serving me with court papers to my home or work if I don't call them back to stop the process server."
This is a robocall that claims your Social Security Number (SSN) has been "suspended due to suspicious activity." It directs you to press 1 to speak with an agent to avoid legal consequences, which is a common ploy to steal your personal information and money.
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten your benefits or tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended. They primarily communicate through official U.S. mail, not through threatening robocalls.
"Recorded message saying my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity press 1 for more information on this case."
Callers, often with foreign accents, identify themselves as being from Microsoft, McAfee, or Apple support. They claim your computer's firewall was turned off or your iCloud account was breached at 3:15 AM, and that they need remote access to your computer to "fix" the non-existent problem.
Microsoft and Apple do not make unsolicited phone calls to tell you there's a problem with your computer. This is a classic scam to gain access to your device, install ransomware, and steal your personal information or money.
"Individual said he was calling from Microsoft to inform us that our computer had been compromised at about 0315 AM and our antivirus security software had been turned off. He could fix it if we would go to our computer now and give him access. We did not comply with his wishes and hung up."
Scammers send text messages or make automated calls claiming you have an outstanding doctor's bill, sometimes from a specific local doctor like "Dr. Beth Moore." The messages often contain malicious links and create a false sense of urgency, stating they will report you to collections for a debt you do not actually owe.
While medical providers do send bills, they will not typically initiate contact about a past-due account with collection threats via a text message containing a strange link. Always verify any supposed debt directly with the provider's official billing department.
"Phone number texted me with multiple messages saying I owed money to a location where I did get a Covid test, and that they were going to report me to collections. The link looked very legitimate! Called the company who was named and I have no outstanding balance with them."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 650 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 650 is a general purpose code that has been in service since August 2, 1997.
Most common 650 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 California, or have a 650 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 California area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: