The 848 area code sees many PlayStation text scams and aggressive home warranty calls. Scammers send messages about accounts you do not have or badger you to buy useless property insurance.
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 848 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof New Jersey (Toms River, New Brunswick, Lakewood) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 848 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are sending friend requests to New Jersey gamers on PlayStation Network (PSN) using bot accounts with female-sounding usernames like "lina_kbo," "ddani_x1," or "leighh_5." The message urges you to text them at an 848 number because they are "signing off" or "bored," attempting to lure you into a phishing or premium text message scheme.
These are not real people looking for friends; they are automated bots running a scam. The profiles are fake, often created daily, with the sole purpose of sending out as many phishing messages as possible before being banned.
"Got the same PS4 message saying to text this number. girliex38: 'hey there i'm signing off of here right now but u should text me sometime if ure bored 848-258-4102 is my number :)' Stay safe gamer fam."
Callers, often identifying themselves as being from "Choice Home Warranty," are relentlessly calling 848 numbers about renewing or purchasing a policy. Residents report that even after requesting to be put on a do-not-call list, the calls continue multiple times a day from slightly different numbers.
While Choice Home Warranty is a real company, these aggressive telemarketing tactics are often outsourced and may violate TCPA regulations. You are not obligated to speak with them, and starting an online quote form—even without submitting it—can trigger these calls.
"Received infinite calls from this telemarketer, trying to sell choice home warranty. i've repeatedly told them to put me on their do not call list... when the 'representative' answered the phone, she knew my name right away. ENOUGH ALREADY!"
Scammers are calling New Jersey residents pretending to collect money for police officers or a "Police Trooper PAC." They use a friendly approach, offering to send an envelope so you can donate to your local police, making the request seem legitimate and local.
Local police departments and state trooper associations do not cold-call residents for donations. This is a common tactic used by fraudulent Political Action Committees (PACs) where very little, if any, of the money actually goes to law enforcement officers.
"These people identify themselves as collecting money for police officers. They offer to send you an envelope so you can donate to your local police. They are a total scam. Do not donate."
You may receive a robocall with a recorded message threatening serious consequences if you don't call back immediately. These scams use vague threats of "legal action being filed" within "72 hours" or claim they will contact your employer's HR department to scare you into responding.
Legitimate legal actions or debt collection proceedings are not initiated with a generic robocall. You would be contacted via official mail or served papers in person, not warned by an anonymous, automated phone message.
"Recorded message threatened legal action if call not returned in 72 hrs. Left no company name and to call back at different number 844-624-2338."
Scammers send texts or leave voicemails claiming a subscription for a service like "Norton Ultimate Plus" or "Geek Squad" has been renewed for a high price, such as $299 or $189. The message instructs you to call them immediately if you want to request a refund, which is a trick to get your credit card information.
Legitimate companies like Norton or Best Buy's Geek Squad will not notify you of a renewal via a suspicious text or robocall. Renewal confirmations are typically sent via email from an official company address and will not ask you to call a random number to cancel.
"Text message stating an automatic renewal for Norton, at a cost of + $230. If not ordered contact their office at this number."
These calls claim your vehicle's warranty is expired and that this is your final chance to extend it. The callers often have some of your vehicle information but will press you for more details. Some residents report that the callers become angry or hostile if you question them or refuse to provide information.
These callers are not from your car's manufacturer or dealership. They are third-party sellers using aggressive and often deceptive tactics. They cannot "take your vehicle away" for not having a warranty.
"Warranty scam, vehicle I've not owned in over a year and a half, and they threatened to come take that vehicle away from me (that i no longer have)."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 848 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in New Jersey, United States. Area code 848 is a general purpose code that has been in service since December 29, 2001.
Most common 848 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 New Jersey, or have a 848 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 New Jersey area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: