Area code 734 is being used for Social Security arrest warrant threats and car warranty scams. Fraudsters threaten you with jail time or nag you about expired coverage to get your money.
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 734 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Michigan (Ann Arbor, Westland, Livonia) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 734 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area are receiving aggressive robocalls claiming their Social Security Number has been compromised or used in illegal activity. The recording threatens that an arrest warrant will be issued if you do not immediately call back and provide personal information, such as the last four digits of your SSN.
The Social Security Administration and other federal agencies do not make threatening phone calls or demand personal information for verification. They will never threaten to arrest you or suspend your SSN. Official communication is almost always sent through U.S. Mail.
"This call serves as your official notification. Respond or an arrest warrant will be put out and you'll be arrested."
These are relentless calls trying to sell you an extended warranty for your vehicle. Callers often know the make and model of a car you own (or used to own) and create a false sense of urgency, sometimes getting nasty if you ask to be removed from their list. Some even falsely claim to be from Ford Motor Co. or a local dealership.
Legitimate car dealerships and manufacturers communicate about warranties through official mail or during service visits, not through unsolicited, high-pressure robocalls. These callers are third-party sellers with no actual connection to your vehicle's manufacturer.
"Both of our vehicles are only a year old. Have extensive warranties. And these asshats won't leave us alone. Demand personal information to remove our number, beyond the necessary information."
Scammers are calling Michigan residents posing as debt collectors or a firm called "Legal Support Services." They leave voicemails threatening that you are being sued, an employment verification is pending, or that they will garnish your wages over a non-existent debt. They are often abusive and refuse to provide documentation.
Real debt collectors must provide you with a written validation notice within five days of first contact. They cannot legally threaten you with arrest, harass you at work, or refuse to provide information about the debt they claim you owe.
"I recieved a call from this number 7346197937. The caller was female and her demeanor was borderline abusive. She stated that she was with the court system collecting a debt. I asked her if they had sent something to me via USPS and then she hung up."
This tricky scam starts with a simple question like "Can you hear me okay?" or "Is this {your name}?". The goal is to record you saying "yes." They then use this voice recording to authorize fraudulent charges or sign you up for services. These calls often come from the "awards department" or "gifting dept."
No legitimate company initiates a call by asking if you can hear them as a way to gain consent. This is a specific tactic used by scammers to capture a voice signature for fraudulent purposes.
"The caller says they are from 'the awards department' and asks if you can hear them okay. The caller is trying to get you to say 'yes' in your own voice to record it and use for account scamming. Hang up! Don't fall for it."
Callers are identifying themselves as being with the "American Police Officers Alliance" and asking for donations. These are not charities but Political Action Committees (PACs) where the money goes to politicians, not local police departments. They may be aggressive, asking for "valuables that could be donated" if you say you have no money.
Local police and fire departments do not solicit donations via cold calls from telemarketers. The "American Police Officers Alliance" is a registered PAC that gives money to political causes, not directly to police agencies for equipment or training.
"Says American police and sat there asking for money. When I said I don't have any money they asked if I had valuables that could be donated... totally a scam"
Scammers are calling about Medicare benefits, prescription plans, or "free" medical supplies like hearing aids. They may claim to be from "Health Advisors" or associated with your current insurance provider to trick you into sharing personal information. They often respond rudely if you question them or refuse to provide information.
Medicare will never call you to sell you products or ask for your personal information unless you have specifically requested a call. Anyone calling out of the blue claiming to be from Medicare is a scammer.
"Caller said her name was Lisa Bradley with Health Advisors and that they where associated with my RX medical insurance through my job and was calling to send me free topical pain relief medications. I called my insurance company and was told they are not affiliated with these people at all."
These robocalls claim to be from major companies like Amazon or Xfinity. The Amazon scam warns of a large fraudulent purchase (e.g., $599 or $1499) on your account and instructs you to press 1. The Xfinity scam involves a live person, sometimes calling from Mexico, trying to "upgrade your service" to get your account or financial details.
Amazon and Xfinity handle account security issues through their official apps and websites. They will not use a robocall to alert you to fraudulent activity and ask you to press a button to connect with an agent.
"Got called from 734-776-2455 saying they were Amazon and advising of suspicious activity in the amount of $1499.00, press 1."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 734 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Michigan, United States. Area code 734 is a general purpose code that has been in service since December 13, 1997.
Most common 734 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 Michigan, or have a 734 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 Michigan area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: