The 786 area code is heavily targeted by Social Security suspension threats and phantom debt collectors. Criminals use fear of arrest or lawsuits to force you into paying non-existent debts.
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 786 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Florida (Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 786 scams based on user comments:
Residents in the Miami-Dade area are receiving automated calls claiming a "legal enforcement action" has been filed against their Social Security Number for criminal activity. The robocall threatens that your SSN will be locked or suspended and you may face arrest if you do not call back immediately.
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten legal action or suspend your number. They primarily communicate via U.S. Mail and will not ask for personal details over the phone in an unsolicited call.
"Just got a call from them claiming there is some suspicious activity with my social security number. They need me to tell them social security number over the phone. I had a feeling that it was a scam, so I asked them to mail it to me on my mailing address on what the issue was and they just hung up."
Scammers are calling South Florida residents posing as debt collectors or legal couriers. They falsely claim you have a "civil lawsuit pending," a "formal complaint," or that they need to serve you with legal documents, often threatening to show up at your home or workplace.
Legitimate process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they simply show up. Real debt collectors are required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to provide you with written validation of the debt upon request.
"This number keeps threatening to go to Human Resources at my place of work. How do I get them to stop calling my number they have my cell number now too."
Callers identifying themselves as "Brooke from student services" or "Mark, Agent ID: 3077" are targeting residents with false promises of student loan forgiveness. They create a false sense of urgency, claiming your "prequalification" for a forgiveness program is about to expire and you must act now.
There is no federal program that expires "today" or requires immediate action via a random phone call. Official information about student loan forgiveness is available for free from the Department of Education.
"A real person ('Brook Allen') from 'Student Services' who left a 1-minute message trying to get me to call them back about a loan program. I don't have any federal student loans anymore. Seemed like a scam."
Scammers are leaving automated voicemails claiming a fraudulent charge has been made to your Amazon account or VISA card for items like an iPhone. The message states a charge of a specific amount, such as $379.00 or $1299, and instructs you to press a number or call back immediately to cancel the order.
Amazon will never call you and ask for payment or personal information over the phone regarding an order. All legitimate order information and customer service contact is handled through their official website and app.
"Same, robocall claiming a purchase on Amazon was charged to my VISA (I don't even have a VISA card). Caller instructs to press a number and be connected if I didn't recognize the transaction. Scam."
This predatory scam targets elderly residents with a terrifying call claiming a grandchild or loved one is in jail, was in a car accident, or has been kidnapped. The caller, sometimes pretending to be a public defender or the grandchild themselves, demands thousands of dollars ($5,000, $8,000, or even $12,000) for bail or a ransom.
Law enforcement and court officials will never call you to arrange bail payment over the phone. This is a high-pressure tactic designed to make you act on emotion before you can think clearly and verify the story.
"My 87-year-old mother was *nearly* successfully scammed for $12k bail money -- FOR ME! Said I'd run into a pregnant mother, and 'the baby might not make it.'...We stopped Mom when she was at the FedEx office with the cash!"
Many Miami residents, particularly in areas like Hialeah and Opa-locka, are being bombarded with text messages from individuals wanting to buy junk cars. These unsolicited texts, often in Spanish or "Spanglish," arrive at all hours, including early weekend mornings, from constantly changing numbers.
These are unsolicited marketing texts that violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Legitimate businesses do not use these harassing tactics to find customers.
"Wtf!! Saturday 7:40 am to buy junk car? Spanish / Hialeah / Florida F. U"
A persistent scam involves robocalls from people impersonating the IRS, often claiming to be an "IRS tax collection officer" named "Catherine Richardson" or "Heather Richardson." The message falsely claims a lawsuit has been filed against you and an arrest warrant has been issued for tax evasion, demanding you call back to resolve the issue.
The IRS does not call to demand immediate payment, nor do they call about a lawsuit or arrest warrant without first mailing you multiple notices. Any call threatening jail time over taxes is a guaranteed scam.
"Received call at 12:37pm, claims to be the IRS tax collection officer and warrant for my arrest if I don't resolve today. Ask to provide documents, claim it was illegal to do so."
Scammers targeting seniors in the 786 area code are calling and falsely claiming to be from Medicare. They try to get your Medicare number by offering to send you a new "plastic" Medicare card, or by pushing unnecessary medical equipment like "Medicare back braces" or diabetic supplies that your doctor did not order.
Medicare will never call you to sell you products or to ask for your personal information unless you have specifically requested a call. Offers of free equipment in exchange for your Medicare number are a common way for criminals to commit healthcare fraud.
"Numerous calls to my elderly mother, Medicare scam, keep calling back even when I yelled at them to put her on the DO NOT CALL list. Indian accents, ask about sending back braces, say they are from Medicare."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 786 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Florida, United States. Area code 786 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 1, 1998.
Most common 786 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 Florida, or have a 786 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 Florida area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: