The 986 area code is seeing a mix of fake auto warranty calls and high-pressure health insurance sales. Telemarketers use these numbers to push expensive and often useless policies on you.
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 986 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Idaho (Nampa, Meridian) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 986 scams based on user comments:
Scammers from the 986 area code are aggressively pushing extended car warranties. They may call identifying as "The Warranty Department," offer a "$1000 discount," or even leave angry voicemails chewing you out for not answering previous calls and claiming they sent "numerous written notices."
Legitimate manufacturers and dealers send official, branded correspondence by mail. They will not use robocalls or aggressive voicemails to threaten you about an expiring warranty.
"Left a voicemail about my factory warranty. Chewed me out for not answering their calls & they had sent me numerous written notices. When I called back, they hung up on me each time."
Residents in Idaho are getting non-stop calls about health insurance. If you engage with a representative, they may rudely ask if you are looking for "family or individual care" and will immediately hang up if you state you are not interested or ask to be placed on a no-call list.
Professional insurance agents are legally required to honor do-not-call requests. An immediate hang-up is a clear sign that the caller is not a legitimate representative and is likely a scammer or lead generator ignoring the law.
"I chose to speak with a representative and she rudely asked me whether I was looking for family or individual care. When I told her that I was not looking for healthcare of any kind, and instead was seeking to be put on the no-call list. She immediately hung up on me."
This scam uses a robocall to create panic, claiming you are facing "federal charges & identity theft." The goal is to frighten you into action by instructing you to "Press #1 to speak to an officer" and connect you with a scammer.
Federal agencies like the FBI or IRS will never use a robocall to inform you of criminal charges. Initial contact from a legitimate law enforcement agency happens through official channels, not a "press #1" phone system.
"Got a SCAM robo call from 986-800-4322...stating some sort of federal charges & identity theft. Press #1 to speak to an officer."
Scammers are making unsolicited calls from 986 numbers with false claims about student loan "forgiveness" programs. They are trying to trick you into providing personal information or paying a fee for a service that is either fake or available for free elsewhere.
All official student loan forgiveness programs are managed by the U.S. Department of Education and are free to apply for. Any company calling you to offer special access or charge a fee for these programs is a scam.
"Falsely claiming student loan 'forgiveness'."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 986 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Idaho, United States. Area code 986 is a general purpose code that has been in service since September 5, 2017.
Most common 986 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 Idaho, or have a 986 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 Idaho area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: