The 820 area code is often used for health insurance scams and Amazon impersonation calls. Fraudsters try to sign you up for fake plans or claim unauthorized orders on your account.
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 820 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof California (Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 820 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are calling 820 area code residents claiming to be from a health insurance provider. A caller identifying as "Jessica" states that the "open enrollment has been extended," creating a false sense of opportunity to pressure you into buying unwanted or fake insurance policies. They are persistent, managing to leave voicemails even after their number has been blocked.
Official health insurance marketplaces communicate deadlines publicly and do not typically engage in high-pressure cold calls. Enrollment periods are firm, and any legitimate extensions are widely announced through official government channels, not individual phone calls.
"Blocked number sometime ago but somehow they still get to leave voicemail even tho my phone doesnt ring. Jessica with some kind of health ins scam. the open enrollment has been extended so you havent missed out on too expensive ins that you dont want but we'll keep calling you anyway..."
You may receive an unsolicited call from someone falsely claiming they are "associated with Amazon." These calls are designed to trick you into believing there is an issue with your account or a fraudulent purchase, with the goal of stealing your personal or financial information.
Amazon will not call you to ask for personal information, payment details, or to request remote access to your computer. All official communication regarding your account will be found within your account's message center on their secure website.
"Called on the pretense of being associated with Amazon."
A common nuisance in the 820 area code involves highly persistent callers who use a variety of similar numbers to bypass call blockers. These callers may refuse to identify themselves or their purpose, or they might send a vague text like "Hello" simply to verify that your number is active for future spam attempts.
Legitimate organizations identify themselves and their purpose at the start of a call. The tactic of calling from many "neighbor" numbers is a hallmark of spammers trying to evade call-blocking features on your phone.
"Calls from this number or very similar number over and over again. I keep blocking the new variations but they keep coming, latest one in the series is: . 820-732-9362"
Callers identifying themselves as a "Research Company" are contacting residents to conduct "Political Surveys." They often state upfront that they are "not selling anything" and are only interested in your opinions to make the call seem less intrusive.
While many research calls are legitimate, they can be intrusive. Even if they are not selling a product, be guarded about the personal information and opinions you share, as this data can still be collected and used.
"We are not selling anything; We are a Research Company which conducts in Political Surveys, we only want your opinions."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 820 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 820 is a general purpose code that has been in service since June 30, 2018.
Most common 820 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 California, or have a 820 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 California area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: