Scammers use the 857 area code for voicemail hijacking schemes and vague debt collection calls. They try to take control of your phone line or trick you into paying debts that do not exist.
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 857 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Massachusetts (Boston, Cambridge, Quincy) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 857 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are somehow gaining access to residents' phones and setting up call forwarding without permission. Victims in the Boston area report suddenly not receiving voicemails, only to discover later that their calls were being secretly rerouted to a scammer's number, giving them access to personal messages.
No legitimate app or service should ever activate call forwarding to an unknown number without your explicit and clear consent. This is a security breach, not a feature, and it is designed to intercept your personal and business calls.
"I had the exact same issue with my voicemail not working and my calls getting forwarded to this number. I didn't recognize the number, I looked it up and found this site, seeing others have experienced the same thing."
Callers from Massachusetts numbers, sometimes claiming to be from "CBE Group" or "Dynamic Recovery," will call about a "personal business matter." They refuse to provide details about the supposed debt unless you first verify your personal information, like your date of birth or Social Security number, often becoming testy or rude when you refuse.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a debt collector must tell you the name of the creditor they represent and send you a written "validation notice" within five days of first contacting you. They cannot refuse to identify themselves or withhold information while demanding yours.
"Called me several times would not identify the nature of the call unless I verified personal info. Duh."
You may receive a robocall or a live call claiming your Social Security Number has been "jeopardized" or used in fraudulent activity. Scammers, sometimes posing as officials like the "Chief Information Officer of the Social Security Administration Office," will threaten you with arrest or account closure if you don't provide personal information or make an immediate payment.
The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten you with arrest or legal action. They communicate through official mail, not with threatening phone calls demanding payment or personal information.
"Said I would be going to jail if I don't tell my SS number and make a payment."
Callers with heavy accents will claim to be from "Pharmacy Services" or another medical supply company. They often call about diabetic supplies you never ordered or about important Medicare benefits, trying to get your insurance or personal information. They call relentlessly from many different 857 numbers and get nasty if you question them or ask to be removed from their list.
Your doctor's office or legitimate pharmacy will never call you using aggressive tactics or refuse to identify themselves clearly. Unsolicited calls about "free" medical supplies are almost always a scam to commit insurance fraud.
"Says from Pharmacy Services, asked to be put on a do not call, says cant and wont, I insist just gets nasty said will continue to call, something needs to be done, 7 call in 6 days form 7 different numbers."
Many businesses and residents in the 857 area code are being targeted by an automated system that calls relentlessly, sometimes dozens of times within an hour. When you answer, you only hear a loud, high-pitched beeping sound, like a fax machine trying to connect. The calls often come from a sequence of similar phone numbers.
This is not a simple wrong number. This is often a tactic called "war dialing," where an automated system dials thousands of numbers in a sequence to identify active phone lines, which are then sold to other scammers and telemarketers.
"I have received repeated calls from this number, 8 times today alone. Calls received at 10:11,10:13,10:14,10:15,10:16,10:18,16:47,16:49"
You'll receive a robocall claiming your vehicle's warranty is expired or about to expire, urging you to speak to an agent immediately. These callers often don't know what kind of car you drive and create a false sense of urgency, pressuring you to buy an overpriced and often useless service plan on the spot.
Your car manufacturer will not contact you through unsolicited, high-pressure robocalls. These are third-party companies with no connection to your vehicle's maker, and their "warranties" are often service contracts with many exclusions.
"This company has called me from many different numbers. They say my warranty is out of date and I need to renew. I tell them I have a brand new 2017 Toyota that I have had for 3 months with a 6 year warranty on it. Then they start talking over me."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 857 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Massachusetts, United States. Area code 857 is a general purpose code that has been in service since May 2, 2001.
Most common 857 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 Massachusetts, or have a 857 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 Massachusetts area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: