The 971 area code is used for fake healthcare debt collection and car warranty expiration calls. Scammers pretend you owe money for medical equipment or that your car coverage is ending.
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 971 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Oregon (Portland, Salem, Gresham) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 971 scams based on user comments:
Heads up, Oregon. A frequent scam in our area involves callers with heavy accents pretending to be from Apria Healthcare's billing department. They'll claim you have a delinquent account for a CPAP machine or other durable medical equipment and pressure you for immediate payment via credit card or bank transfer, all while trying to "verify" your personal information.
Apria Healthcare's official website lists toll-free 888 numbers for their billing department, not local 971 area code numbers. A legitimate company will not object to you hanging up and calling them back on their publicly listed phone number.
"Called claiming to be Apria wanting to talk about my account. Immediately tried to gather identifying information to 'verify my account'. When I asked them to send me an official email and I would call them back they tried to give me this number again."
You'll get relentless robocalls, sometimes as early as 6 or 7 AM, about your vehicle's warranty expiring. Callers often create a false sense of urgency, claiming it is their "last attempt to call" before they close your file. They may know your car's make and model, but their goal is to sell you an expensive and often useless third-party service contract.
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer. They are from third-party sellers using high-pressure tactics. Official recall notices or manufacturer warranty information will almost always arrive via U.S. Mail, not through harassing robocalls.
"This number calls me every morning at 7:00 am. Sometimes no message, sometimes partial robo recording about last attempt to call (funny, they keep calling) and will be closing account on auto warranty."
This scare tactic involves a robocall leaving a hostile-sounding message claiming you have been "uncooperative" and that legal action is imminent. They may say they are from "Global Mediation" or will be "alerting local authorities." The goal is to frighten you into calling back a different number where they will demand money to stop the fake legal proceedings.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they simply show up. Law enforcement agencies and courts will not call to threaten you with arrest over a civil matter. All official legal notices are delivered in person or by certified mail.
"I ignored it, left a voicemail saying i have been uncooperative and they will be alerting local authorities"
Scammers will call pretending to be from the Social Security Administration or the IRS, claiming your Social Security Number has been compromised or used in a crime. They will threaten you with immediate arrest if you don't comply with their demands, which usually involve providing personal information or making a payment.
Government agencies like the Social Security Administration and the IRS initiate contact via U.S. Mail. They will never call you to threaten arrest, demand immediate payment, or ask for your personal information over the phone.
"Says they're from the Dept of Social Security and want a call back before I am arrested for fraud regarding my number."
You may receive a call from someone with broken English, often from a noisy "boiler room" call center, claiming to be from "Medical Supply" or "Pharmacy Services." They will ask if you have back, knee, or shoulder pain and offer to send you a "free" medical brace. This is a scheme to get your Medicare or insurance information to commit fraud.
This is a well-known Medicare fraud scam. The scammers send you a cheap, unnecessary brace and then bill your insurance provider for thousands of dollars. Always go through your own trusted doctor for medical supplies.
"Want to give me a back brace for the back pain they believe I must have. When I told him I didn't have back pain and they started asking about my shoulders and arms. If it's not a scam it's a nuisance or insurance fraud."
This is a tricky scam where the call starts with a simple question like, "Can you hear me okay?" or "Am I speaking with...?" The scammer's goal is to record you saying the word "Yes." They can then edit that recording and use it as a voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges or services in your name.
Scammers use your recorded "Yes" to create a fake audio authorization for services you never agreed to. When you dispute the charge, they present the doctored audio recording as "proof" that you consented.
"They asked 'Can you hear me okay' as soon as I said 'I can' they hung up. They are calling people wanting to record 'yes' so they can use it."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 971 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Oregon, United States. Area code 971 is a general purpose code that has been in service since October 1, 2000.
Most common 971 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 Oregon, or have a 971 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 Oregon area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: