838 area code phone numbers reported to the FTC in the last 30 days:
| Phone Number | Complaints | Last Reported |
|---|---|---|
| (838) 201-1248 | ||
| (838) 529-3135 | ||
| (838) 203-7316 | ||
| (838) 577-7043 | ||
| (838) 232-4989 | ||
| (838) 529-9167 | ||
| (838) 435-2165 | ||
| (838) 684-8746 | ||
| (838) 224-3240 | ||
| (838) 384-4702 |
Fake arrest warrants and aggressive debt collectors are the main issues with the 838 area code. Callers threaten you with jail time or financial ruin if you do not pay them immediately.
Threatens immediate home arrest for Texas fraud tied to SSN, demanding verification to drop warrants.
"I was actually standing in the bank... I get this phone call they claim to be the Social Security office that there was a warrant out for my arrest and that they were going to come to my home and arrest me. The teller at the bank I just said I don't get this she said I went to scam just hang up so I did."
Refuses written proof of debts, demanding email addresses and threatening immediate court action.
"When I inquired on my so called debt I was treated by unprofessional and very rude people. I asked them to please send me something in the mail before I pay any money. She said she could email it to me but needed my email. I told her I don't give out my email and she said 'okay I'll see you in court' and she hung up on me."
Uses fake $299 charges to secure remote computer access for fraudulent refunds.
"received with this number attached 838-800-2509 with message i was being charged $299.00 for Norton Life Lock that i never purchased...They wanted to get into my computer to refund money. I knew then this was wrong .."
Offers fake credit card debt elimination using spoofed numbers to harvest credit card details.
"Definitely a scam re: debt elimination. Very well done, they gave me this phone number to call back, but told me they were calling from Visa HQ in Foster City, CA."
The 838 area code covers eastern Upstate New York, extending from the eastern Mohawk Valley to the Vermont border, and from the Canada–US border to south of Albany. This includes the Capital District, the vicinity of the cities Albany, Schenectady, and Troy, as well as the Upper Hudson Valley counties, Greene and Columbia counties, and some northern parts of Dutchess County. The area code covers approximately 1,200 ZIP Code areas.
Area code 838 is an overlay to area code 518 . Area code 518 was created in 1947, and area code 838 was added in 2017. Ten-digit dialing is mandatory in this region.
Introduced as an overlay to 518, the 838 area code covers the same Capital Region and northern New York territory, including Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. New York State government lines and GlobalFoundries recruiters are among the callers operating across both codes.