The 812 area code is known for aggressive debt collection calls and fake purchase confirmations. Scammers shout about unpaid bills or claim you bought an expensive item to get your credit card number.
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 812 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Indiana (Evansville, Bloomington, Terre Haute) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 812 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are calling 812 residents posing as debt collectors from companies like "United Collection Bureau Inc." or "Pen Credit." They use high-pressure tactics, falsely claiming you have outstanding debts and threatening to send police to your house or have someone show up at your home within 10 business days to collect payment in full if you don't comply immediately.
Legitimate debt collectors must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). They are prohibited from threatening you with arrest or sending the police. They must provide you with a written notice detailing the debt and will not demand immediate payment via untraceable methods.
"Called and said i had a very large debt to pay and if I ignore this call then within 10 business days someone will come to my home to collect payment in full. I have no debts what so ever . I told them to send who ever they want but don't expect to see them ever again. She hung up on me."
You receive an email or text with a fake invoice, often from a personal email address like "[email protected]." The message thanks you for an order you never placed for items like an "Apple Mac" or for a PayPal purchase of "$547.00 for a wallet CRYP," and provides an 812 number to call within 24 hours to dispute the charge. This is a trick to get you to call and reveal your personal or financial information.
Amazon, PayPal, and other major retailers send order confirmations from their official email addresses (e.g., @amazon.com). They never ask you to call a phone number from a personal email to cancel an order or provide sensitive information.
"got a email from a Kendra Welston saying thank you for the purchase for 197 $ I did not purchase anything today . I clld the phn # Got a busy signal every time. 812 316 9836 the email Says if you have an issue with this purchase you have 24 hrs to cll this phn # to get this transaction fixed ."
These callers prey on fear, claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or another government agency. They tell you there has been "fraudulent use" of your Social Security Number or that there is a "criminal complaint" against you. Some may even have a caller ID that says "SSI" to appear legitimate and will threaten arrest if you don't comply.
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten you or demand immediate payment. The SSA communicates through official mail, not with threatening phone calls. Your Social Security number cannot be suspended.
"Claimed there was a criminal complaint against me; asked me to call back on the same number."
A caller, often identifying themselves as "Erin, a vacation specialist" or "Austin on a recorded line," will immediately ask, "Can you hear me okay?" Their goal is to get you to say "Yes." They record your response and can use it as a voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges on your credit card or phone bill, later claiming you agreed to a purchase.
Legitimate businesses do not need to trick you into saying "Yes" to start a conversation. This tactic is specifically designed to capture your voice for fraudulent purposes. While a simple "yes" is not a legally binding contract, scammers use the recording to bully you or fight credit card chargebacks.
"Caller said 'This is Erin. I'm a vacation specialist, calling on a recorded line, Can you hear me ok?' Without thinking, I replied 'Yes, but I don't take phone solicitation'. As soon as I said 'Yes' the caller hung up."
These scammers call claiming your "Microsoft license has expired" or that they need to process a "computer security software renewal" for $349. They create a false sense of urgency, telling you that your computer is at risk and you must get on your device and go to a specific website to fix it. This is a ploy to gain remote access to your computer, install malware, and steal your personal information.
Microsoft, Apple, and other legitimate technology companies do not monitor your personal computer for issues and then call you about them. All communication about your software licenses or security status will happen on your device itself or through official company websites, not through a cold call.
"this is regarding a computer security software renewal and they will be charging my account $349 unless i get on my computer and go to some website. this is a scam."
Scammers are targeting Indiana job seekers by sending unsolicited text messages offering a job. These texts often use your name, which they find on job search websites, and provide an 812 number to call. In other cases, they call claiming you applied for a job, but their real goal is to sell you "college information" or gather your personal data.
Professional recruiters typically contact you via professional platforms like LinkedIn or through a corporate email address, not random text messages. They will always identify their company and the specific role they are hiring for and will not hang up when asked for details.
"Daughter got a text a day after she applied for a job online. Using her name they said they wanted to talk to her about work and gave this number to call. The first thing she did was show me and we looked it up and found other complaints of the same thing."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 812 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Indiana, United States. Area code 812 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 812 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 Indiana, or have a 812 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 Indiana area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: