Fake legal threats and Social Security imposters are common problems with the 815 area code. Fraudsters pretend to be federal officers or debt collectors to scare you into revealing private data.
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 815 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Illinois (Rockford, Joliet, DeKalb) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 815 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are calling 815 area code residents with aggressive and fake legal threats. They claim you have "pending matters" or an "outdated debit," threatening to garnish your wages, contact your employer, or even send an officer for fraud over a supposed $3400 matter. They often call family members, refuse to provide details about their company (sometimes calling it "local servicing (LSI)"), and hang up when questioned.
Legitimate process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they simply show up. Furthermore, real debt collectors will not threaten you with immediate arrest over the phone for a consumer debt. These are intimidation tactics designed to scare you into paying a non-existent debt.
"Got a call from 815-320-5984 saying I had $3400 matter to deal with and they would garnish my check and send an officer for fraud."
These scammers are robocalling Illinois residents claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The automated messages create panic by claiming fraudulent activity has been found on your Social Security number, such as it being "used on the Texas border." Other versions target people who may have applied for disability, with callers asking to confirm information for a claim you never filed. Callers, like a recorded "Evelyn," will often hang up if you question them.
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten you or demand immediate payment. They communicate through official mail, not with threatening robocalls. Your SSN cannot be suspended or cancelled.
"I got a call August 14th or 15th or soon after stating the ss number was stolen and being used on the Texas border. reported to oig.ssa.gov/report"
One of the most persistent nuisances in the 815 area is the auto warranty robocall. You'll get a recorded message stating your "vehicle may be at risk of losing coverage" or that they are giving a "courtesy follow-up call before I close the file." If you speak to a live person, they are often rude, hang up when you ask to be removed from their list, and may have inaccurate information about a car you don't even own.
These calls are from third-party sellers, not your car's manufacturer or dealer. The "expiring warranty" is a high-pressure sales tactic for expensive and often worthless service contracts. Real manufacturers handle recalls and warranty issues through official mail.
"Message: 'came across my desk and it looks like your vehicle may be at risk of losing coverage. In order to prevent your extended warranty from expiring I am giving you a courtesy follow-up call before I close the file. Please press one to speak to a specialist'"
Scammers are spoofing well-known companies to trick you. Reports from our area show them claiming to be from Amazon about a fraudulent purchase, from Microsoft about a "$399.99" warranty renewal that requires remote access to your computer, or from your bank about a large Zelle transfer for "$3500.00." Their goal is to create panic and get you to hand over account details, remote computer access, or money.
Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Bank of America do not make unsolicited calls about account problems and will never ask for your password, full account number, or remote access to your computer to resolve an issue. These communications are handled through secure messages within your official account portal.
"I got a text message saying that they were zelle fraud protection and there was a transfer for $3500.00 and then a bank of america number calls me and wants to know how much money I have in my checking account..."
This is a particularly cruel scam where a caller, often identifying himself as "Alex Parker," pretends to be from your mortgage company. He speaks in broken English and threatens foreclosure on your home to scare you into sending money. A frightening tactic they use is "spoofing" the phone number, making the call appear to come from your actual mortgage company, like Wells Fargo.
Mortgage companies are bound by strict federal regulations and must send multiple, official written notices before beginning foreclosure proceedings. They will never threaten you with immediate foreclosure in a single, unsolicited phone call.
"Also pretended to be my mortgage company and when I told them to call me from the Wells Fargo line they did! I called Wells Fargo to verify this person and they don't know anything about him! He goes by the name of Alex Parker."
These calls often target seniors, with scammers pretending to be from Medicare or a health service. They might introduce themselves as your "pain manager from medicare" or offer "free hearing aides." Another common tactic involves selling pain cream, where a pushy salesman named "Aaron" might falsely claim he got your information from your health care provider but can't name the provider when challenged.
Official Medicare representatives will never call you to sell you products. Your personal medical information is protected by law and is not shared with telemarketers for sales calls. "Free" offers are usually a way to fraudulently bill Medicare or your insurance.
"I got this phone call to my work number, offering to give me pain cream. The caller identified himself as 'Aaron' and said this was not a sales call. When I challenged how he got my information... he began to stutter and hung up on me."
If you own a local business in Illinois, you may get this call. An automated voice warns that your "Google business listing is at risk" and urges you to press a number to speak with a representative. The live operator will then try to sell you unnecessary services for a fee to "fix" your listing. They are aggressive and will quickly hang up if you question their legitimacy or state that you are not the business owner.
Managing your Google Business Profile is a free service. Google does not make automated calls to threaten you about your listing. These callers are third-party telemarketers trying to sell you services you do not need.
"Sometimes it's just silent when I answer and sometimes it is automated saying our 'Google business listing is at risk' and then transfers me to a rep... This last time I said, 'Do you work for Google?' and she hung up."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 815 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Illinois, United States. Area code 815 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
Most common 815 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 Illinois, or have a 815 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 Illinois area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: