North Dakota's 701 area code is seeing a rise in art insurance fraud and vague legal threats. Scammers use these calls to demand money for fake insurance policies or nonexistent court cases.
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 701 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof North Dakota (Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 701 scams based on user comments:
A man identifying himself as "Art" is persistently calling North Dakota residents about a supposed insurance application you never submitted. He claims he's following up to offer "better options," but it's a high-pressure tactic from a call center to get your personal information and sell you policies.
Legitimate insurance agents will not cold-call you about an application you didn't submit. They also won't use deceptive tactics or call from dozens of different spoofed numbers to harass you.
"I got two calls from different local numbers claiming to be 'Art' and giving this number as a call back. Interestingly enough, at the start of one of the messages, another voice is heard coaching someone to give high fives. 'High above, down below, now in the middle.' Then there's a pause before 'Art' comes on..."
This widespread robocall uses a robotic voice to leave an intimidating voicemail. The message, often with the beginning cut off, vaguely threatens that "legal action" will be taken against you if you do not immediately press 1 or call them back.
Courts, law enforcement, and federal agencies like the IRS do not initiate contact with you using threatening robocalls. Official legal correspondence is almost always delivered by mail or served in person.
"Received a call from 701-997-2698. They left a voice message saying 'If we don't hear from you then we will be forced to take legal action against you. Kindly press 1 or call us back at 701-997-2698.'"
You receive a robocall, often a female voice, claiming your Amazon account has been compromised. They'll state a fraudulent purchase, typically a "$200 gift card," has been made and that you must call their number to cancel the order and secure your account.
Amazon will never call you about a compromised account and ask you to call a different number. All official communication about account security happens through email or notifications within your actual Amazon account.
"I was told my Amazon account was compromised. They had ordered a $200 grift card and I needed to call this number to get the money refunded to my account. There’s no such charge to my account."
A recorded call, often in poor English, informs you that a computer service contract is about to be renewed. They claim your bank account will be automatically debited for a large sum, such as "$599 for 3 years," unless you call back to cancel.
This is a classic tech support scam. The goal is to gain access to your computer through screen sharing software to steal your banking information or install malicious ransomware.
"Recorded call said to call number to cancel a computer service contract or my bank account would be debited for $599 for 3 years. I called back and got a very noisy background and a person with an accent...He wanted me to get on my computer and bring up a screen share program. RED FLAG!!!"
This scam specifically targets North Dakota auto repair businesses. A caller, sometimes named "Mike," aggressively demands to speak to "the boss" or "boss man" to buy catalytic converters and scrap metal, refusing to take no for an answer.
Legitimate scrap metal businesses operate professionally. They do not harass potential clients, make verbal threats, or use high-pressure tactics over the phone.
"This number has repeatedly called my auto repair business, demanding to speak to 'the boss' to buy catalytic converters. When I tell them the 'boss' is unavailable, they refuse to accept my answer...and tell me they will be coming to my business personally to ask someone else."
This robocall targets local businesses, falsely claiming that your Google Business listing has expired or is at risk. It prompts you to press a number to speak with an agent to "correct" the listing, which is just a pretext to sell you unnecessary services.
Google does not make automated calls to warn you about your business listing. Managing your Google Business Profile is a free service that you control directly.
"Call multiple times per day stating that our Google listing has expired. The call is a 'robot'. ...When I re-dialed the number it was a non-working phone number. Scam, scam and scam"
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 701 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in North Dakota, United States. Area code 701 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 701 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 North Dakota, or have a 701 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.