Scammers use the 828 area code to make Social Security threats and push auto warranty scams. They claim your benefits are at risk or your car coverage is expired to get a payment.
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 828 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof North Carolina (Asheville, Hickory, Lenoir) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 828 scams based on user comments:
Scammers call claiming your Social Security Number (SSN) has been used in criminal activities, such as drug sales, and is being suspended. They use intimidating language, threatening that you must speak to an officer or face a "magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal offense" if you hang up.
The Social Security Administration will never call to threaten you, demand immediate payment, or tell you your SSN is suspended. They initiate contact through official U.S. Mail, not with intimidating robocalls.
"Prerecorded message...Claims *something something * important action executed by law enforcement to suspend my social security number on an immediate basis. Ignoring that would be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal offense."
Residents in our area are receiving relentless calls about their car's warranty being expired, often presented as a "final notice." Callers frequently spoof local 828 numbers to appear legitimate and can become hostile, with one user reporting a female representative "got very ill with me for asking her to stop calling."
These "final notices" are a high-pressure sales tactic, not an official warning from your vehicle's manufacturer. Legitimate companies do not rely on harassing robocalls and spoofed numbers for business.
"Continuous daily harrassment for a warrenty that I've already declined multiple times. A female rep got very ill with me for asking her to stop calling. I've blocked the number but they still call."
Scammers are calling and leaving voicemails claiming a legal complaint has been filed and you are going to be "served." They often impersonate law firms like "Cardinal Legal Services" or even the Sheriff's Department, threatening legal action over a fake debt, such as an old payday loan you never had.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they simply show up. Furthermore, you cannot be arrested in North Carolina for failing to pay a civil debt like a payday loan.
"I got a call today telling me i was going to be served so then i rush to call the police dept only to find out it is a scam call."
Callers identifying themselves as "Joe Johnson" or "Dave Sawyer" from Publishers Clearing House claim you've won millions. To collect your prize, they instruct you to pay an "insurance fee" by purchasing hundreds of dollars in gift cards, specifically mentioning "2 vanilla gift cards a wal-mart for 400.00 a piece."
Publishers Clearing House is famous for awarding its major prizes in person with their Prize Patrol. They never require winners to pay any fees, taxes, or purchase gift cards to collect their winnings.
"call from people claming to be from publishers clearing house. had to buy 2 vanilla gigt cards a wal-mart for 400.00 a piece. total 800.00. all a scam."
Scammers are impersonating major brands like Amazon, Norton360, and Microsoft to create a sense of panic. They'll send a text about a locked Wells Fargo card you don't own, or call saying your Amazon account was used to buy an expensive "Iphone Pro12" and will be frozen unless you press 1 to resolve it.
These companies do not make unsolicited calls to alert you of problems. They use secure notifications within their official apps or websites. Any demand for payment via gift cards is a guaranteed scam.
"Got a call from 828-372-4401 saying there was fraudulent activity on my Amazon account. Press 1 to be connected to an Amazon Customer Service Representative to resolve this matter and keep your account from being frozen."
Callers are targeting our local residents by posing as representatives from Medicare or United Healthcare. They often ask for your father or another family member by name, then try to get you to provide Medicare card information by offering a "better plan" or claiming to be calling about prescriptions.
Official Medicare representatives will not call you out of the blue to sell products or ask for your personal information. These calls are attempts to commit medical identity theft and Medicare fraud.
"I've received 4 calls from this #. They ask for my father by name and tell me they are from Medicare, when I tell them Medicare doesn't call their members they hang up."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 828 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in North Carolina, United States. Area code 828 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 22, 1998.
Most common 828 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 North Carolina, or have a 828 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 North Carolina area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: