The 501 area code is currently plagued by the "Megan" student loan forgiveness scheme and fake arrest warrant threats. Scammers call offering fake debt relief or claim you are in legal trouble to trick you into paying money.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
"Megan" from "Student Relief" calls Arkansans claiming they are pre-qualified for the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program and must act before programs change due to "litigation happening with the US presidential election." The call comes from one number but the voicemail asks you to call back a different 501 number. She calls even people without student loans and creates false urgency to pressure you into calling back. They use your personal information to apply for loan servicer accounts in your name or sell your data to other scammers. The U.S. Department of Education does not use third-party robocallers to announce program eligibility.
"'megan' didn't sound robotic like typical scam calls and I have been waiting for information about my student loans so I almost believed it. 'megan' said this was her call back number but the number the call came from was 231-299-6947."
Automated messages threaten you will be "taken into custody by the local cops" for "serious violations" if you don't call back immediately. They claim to be from the IRS or Social Security Administration in D.C. but call from local Arkansas numbers. The robotic voice demands you call back to avoid "legal proceedings" and they get angry or hang up when questioned. They use your callback to extract personal information, Social Security numbers, and banking details to commit identity theft. Real law enforcement officers do not call ahead to warn you of an arrest.
"I got a phone call from this number and he kept asking me for my Date of Birth and Social Security number he told me that my Social Security number had been used illegally and I would be arrested if I didn't cooperate. I told him no way... and he told me I would be arrested within the hour!"
Callers from vaguely named companies like "FCS" or "Account Services" claim they have a "personal financial matter" but refuse to identify their company or explain the matter until you "verify" your identity with your date of birth or last four digits of your Social Security number. They call from large call centers with background noise and may reference deceased relatives or old addresses to sound credible. They use your verified information to open accounts, apply for credit, or sell your data to other criminals. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, legitimate collectors must identify themselves and send written validation within five days.
"She knew my name and address... Wanted me to give her the last 4 digits of my social security and date of birth to verify my info. I asked repeatedly what is the name of your company and what is this about. She kept saying she could not tell me until I verified my SS# and date of birth."
Telemarketers call up to 20 times in a few days asking if you have Medicaid or Medicare and refuse to stop calling even after you request to be placed on a do-not-call list. Caller ID shows generic names like "Allied Insurance." They immediately ask about your Medicare status and ignore do-not-call requests. They use your Medicare number and health information to submit fraudulent claims or enroll you in plans that pay them high commissions. Licensed agents cannot legally harass you with dozens of calls or refuse do-not-call requests.
"Has called 20 times in 4 days about insurance"
Text messages from 501 numbers claim you have an unpaid toll from the "PA Turnpike" or "MTA" and instruct you to immediately call a toll-free 866 or 877 number to settle the debt. The messages target Arkansans for out-of-state toll violations and create urgency to get you to act without thinking. They use the callback to extract credit card information and personal details for identity theft. Official tolling agencies send formal bills to your registered address via U.S. Mail, not text messages from Arkansas area codes.
"I have received a text on 3 different dates from +1(501)-361-0104. On each they have wanted me to call 866-213-2672 regarding my PA Turnpike account."
Scammers impersonating Verizon, AT&T, and Dell send texts claiming you were "accidentally overcharged" and provide strange links to claim refunds, or call pretending to be tech support asking you to log into your bank account while they watch your computer screen. They want to email you a "document" and need to verify your personal details first. They use your bank login to drain accounts or install malware through remote computer access to steal all stored passwords and files. Legitimate companies never ask for bank passwords or request to watch your screen during login.
"I got a call telling me that It was Verizon tech support...they wanted me to sigh into my bank account, while there were ABLE TO SEE MY COMPUTER SCREEN I told them with all the scams going on I was not going to give them that information. I was greeted with them hanging up on me!"
Area Code 501 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(501) 429-5914
Dropped call or no message
3 reports ·
(501) 301-0896
Other
3 reports ·
(501) 203-6904
Dropped call or no message
2 reports ·
(501) 910-1542
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
(501) 622-7735
Dropped call or no message
2 reports ·
(501) 451-3636
Other
2 reports ·
(501) 417-5432
Other
2 reports ·
(501) 361-2941
Dropped call or no message
2 reports ·
(501) 290-7289
Dropped call or no message
2 reports ·
(501) 574-0495
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
No, area code 501 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Arkansas, United States. Area code 501 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Arkansas (Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway), or have a 501 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Arkansas area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: