The 720 area code is being used for fake legal threats and sheriff jury duty scams. Fraudsters claim you have a warrant for missing jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid arrest.
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 720 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Colorado (Denver, Aurora, Lakewood) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 720 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the Denver area are receiving aggressive robocalls claiming a "civil complaint" or "faxed complaint" has been filed against them. The caller threatens to serve papers at your home or place of employment and often provides a fake case number, creating a false sense of urgency to get you to call back and provide personal information or payment.
In Colorado, official legal notices and lawsuits are not served via a phone call or voicemail. A legitimate process server will deliver documents in person without any prior warning call.
"Voicemail saying they've received a fax with a civil complaint against me and threatened to show up at my home or place of employment."
This alarming scam involves a live caller impersonating a local deputy, sometimes using real names like "Deputy Osborne" of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department. The scammer claims you have warrants for missing jury duty and must immediately pay a fine, often demanding you purchase a cash card for $1,000 to avoid arrest.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, will never call you to demand payment over the phone to clear a warrant. Warrants are handled through the official court system, not with cash cards.
"Got a call from the number of the Boulder County Sheriff’s office and a man claiming to be a deputy officer... He knew my full name and home address and told me to call back on his extension... and claimed I had 2 warrants out for my arrest for missing jury duty... He wanted me to get a cash card with $1000 to pay my bond."
Scammers are calling 720 residents claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The robocalls or live callers, sometimes named "Audrey" or "Tracy," state your Social Security Number has been compromised or involved in illegal activity and that you must call back immediately to avoid legal action or suspension of your number.
The Social Security Administration will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money or send gift cards. They typically communicate through official mail, not intimidating phone calls.
"I returned the call I was told my social security number has been compromised and involved in illegal activity. They asked if I knew of any activity like this with my SSN and I said no. They began to tell me how they can help. Scam."
Callers are targeting Denver-area businesses and individuals claiming to be from the IRS or a tax resolution firm like "The Phoenix Group." Often using the name "Jimmy Walters," they allege you have a tax lien or an issue with a "941 assessment" and that this is their "final attempt" to reach you before legal action is taken.
The IRS's first point of contact is always through official U.S. Mail, not an unsolicited, threatening phone call. They do not leave "final notice" voicemails or demand immediate payment over the phone.
"Jimmy called to say it was a Federal withholding matter and it was his final attempt to reach me and left a number."
Scammers are calling local residents and businesses claiming to be from Xcel Energy. They falsely state that your account is delinquent and your power will be shut off within 30 minutes if you do not make an immediate payment, often demanding cash or an untraceable payment method.
Xcel Energy provides multiple notices by mail before shutting off service for non-payment. They will not call and demand immediate payment with the threat of a shut-off in minutes.
"Claims to be Xcel Energy saying the power will be shut off today at this address. Contacted Xcel directly and they say all is good with our account."
In this scheme, a caller named "Amanda" from a mumbled company name like "EMI" leaves a voicemail. She claims a "delivery agent" has been to your property to have documents signed and that if you don't call back, your file will be returned for "failure to comply," creating confusion and alarm.
This is a phishing tactic used by phantom debt collectors. There is no delivery agent and no documents. The goal is to scare you into calling back to give up personal or financial information.
"Hello this is Amanda calling from EMI I have had a delivery agent out there again to the property address on file he was defintely getting somebody to sign the documents today our Contact is 720-419-2470 we will only be ale to make one more time before we return as failure to comply"
These are relentless robocalls about an expiring or expired warranty on your vehicle. The automated messages urge you to press a button to speak with a "warranty specialist" to avoid being without coverage. They call repeatedly from many different 720 numbers, making them difficult to block.
These calls are from high-pressure third-party sellers, not your car's manufacturer or dealership. The "warranties" they sell are often service contracts with very limited coverage and many exclusions.
"I get SO many calls from this company about the warranty on my car! I've told them to stop calling. Asked them to stop calling. Told them I don't need the warranty/don't want it, etc. etc. They don't listen. I block one number and they call from another number."
You receive a robocall claiming to be from Amazon, alerting you to a suspicious, large purchase on your account. Victims report being told about a charge for $349.99 on their Visa card and are instructed to call a specific 720 number immediately if they did not make the purchase.
Amazon will not call you to confirm purchases. Any notifications about your account or orders will appear in your secure account on their website or app, or will be sent via official email.
"Got a call claiming to be from Amazon.com wanting confirmation of a VISA purchase for the amount of $349.99. Said if I did not make that purchase call the number 720-398-5112."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 720 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Colorado, United States. Area code 720 is a general purpose code that has been in service since June 1, 1998.
Most common 720 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 Colorado, or have a 720 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 Colorado area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: