The 989 area code is being used for fake legal threats and tech support impersonation. Scammers claim your computer is compromised or you are being sued to steal your money.
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 989 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Michigan (Saginaw, Midland, Bay City) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 989 scams based on user comments:
Scammers are calling 989 residents with aggressive and fake legal threats. They often claim a courier is on the way to deliver legal documents to your home or work, mentioning they will contact your HR department to "blindside" you if you don't comply. Callers, sometimes identifying as "Ted Davis" from "Choice Recovery Group," pressure you to settle a bogus debt over the phone immediately to avoid court.
Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you; they deliver documents in person without prior notice. Legitimate debt collectors will not threaten to have you arrested or discuss a debt with your employer.
"Calls and threatens you says a courier is delivering legal documents if your not home they will deliver to your work place. They state there client will prosecute you to the fullest extent of law."
These imposters pretend to be from well-known companies like Amazon, Apple, or Microsoft. They create a false emergency, such as claiming an unauthorized charge for $120 was made on your Amazon account from Ohio, that your iCloud account has been breached, or that you need to renew an MS Office 365 subscription for $299. Their goal is to create panic and trick you into giving them remote access to your computer by downloading software like TeamViewer.
Major tech companies will never call you unexpectedly about security issues or charges. They will never ask you to download remote-access software to resolve a problem; that is a tactic used exclusively by scammers to gain control of your device and steal your information.
"Answered a call from 'Amazon Services' at 11:58 Pacific today, claiming an unauthorized charge on my Amazon Account for $120 from an 'unknown IP-address' in Dayton, Ohio... I was directed to the Apple 'App Store' to download TeamViewer."
Residents in Central Michigan are being bombarded with calls about their car's extended warranty. These robocalls are relentless, often calling multiple times a day from different 989 numbers. Even if you press the option to be removed from their list or ask a live person to stop calling, they frequently hang up and call back the next day. Sometimes they have incorrect information, such as asking about a "2016 Cadillac" you don't own.
These calls are not from your car's manufacturer or dealer. They are from third-party companies that use high-pressure tactics to sell often overpriced and unnecessary service contracts.
"Constantly calling regarding vehicle warranty and after I continually enter phone option to stop getting bothered by them they STILL call me! I also tried the phone option to speak with a human and I beg them to quit calling me and they hang the phone up on me and they call me back the next day!"
Scammers are spoofing local 989 numbers and claiming to be from Consumers Energy. They may offer to help you save money on your natural gas bill or discuss your "supply charges." They will often ask you to have a copy of your bill ready when you call them back, a tactic to get you to reveal your account number and personal information.
Consumers Energy already has your account information and will not call you to ask for it. Any legitimate communication about your bill or services will be verifiable through your official online account or by calling their official customer service number.
"Got a call from same number but says to have my Consumers bill ready to call back. I didn't call back"
This scam involves a robocall claiming to be from the Social Security Administration about a "problem" with your account. The recording urges you to press a number to speak with an agent to avoid legal consequences. This is a phishing attempt to steal your Social Security number and other sensitive personal information.
The Social Security Administration's primary method of communication is through the U.S. Mail. They will never call you to threaten you, demand payment, or ask for your personal information.
"Got a call from this # telling me that there was some type of Social Security problem . Wanted me to to push a certain # to give info ."
Many 989 residents report receiving frequent, unsolicited robocalls from political campaigns. A common complaint involves a recorded message from "Congressman John Moolenaar" inviting you to a live town hall meeting. These calls can be particularly annoying as they often occur in the evening and continue even if you are not interested.
While frustrating, automated political calls are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry. The calls themselves are often legitimate outreach from a campaign, but they are a frequent source of nuisance call complaints. Blocking the number is your best option if you wish to stop them.
"hello, this is congressman John Moolenaar. I'd like to invite you to a phone call invite this same time tomorrow for a Live Townhall Meeting to answer any federal questions or concerns you may have."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 989 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Michigan, United States. Area code 989 is a general purpose code that has been in service since April 7, 2001.
Most common 989 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 Michigan, or have a 989 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 Michigan area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: