The 510 area code is being used for Social Security arrest threats and fake purchase refund schemes. Fraudsters try to scare you with jail time or trick you into fixing a fake charge on your account.
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.
Automated calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration or IRS threaten to suspend or lock your Social Security Number for "fraudulent activities." The recorded voice, claiming to be an "officer" or "federal agent," demands you call back immediately "before we begin with the legal proceedings" and threatens you with "an appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury." They use your callback to steal your Social Security Number and other personal information to commit identity theft. Social Security and IRS never call to threaten arrest. They contact you through official U.S. Mail.
"Department of Social Security Administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement actions filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities. So when you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings..."
Robocalls alert you to fake high-value purchases like an "Apple iPhone 15 Pro" or "$1499 MacBook Pro" on your Amazon, PayPal, or Apple accounts. The automated message instructs you to "press 1 to speak with a support rep" if you did not authorize the charge, often starting mid-sentence like "...a charge of $590 for an Apple iPhone." Some receive fake emails from "Geek Squad" or "DELL" about recurring service charges they never signed up for. Pressing 1 connects you directly to scammers who steal your account information and financial details. Amazon, Apple, and PayPal send email receipts, not phone calls.
"call from this number was to authorize payment to an Amazon Acct for the purchase of a $1499 MacBook Pro laptop. Said to press 1 if I don't authorize, to speak with a support rep."
Callers claiming to be from "Alameda County Mediation Services" or "Investigative Recovery Services" threaten that a "formal complaint" is being filed against you and "the next step will be filing necessary paperwork within your county." They refuse to provide details about the "complaint" unless you verify your Social Security Number, claiming you have been "officially notified" just by listening to the voicemail. They use your personal information to steal your identity or file false claims. Real process servers do not call ahead. You cannot be officially notified through voicemail.
"We are contacting you in regards to a formal complaint that's in process of being filed form several different matters we are calling to verify that we do have the correct address for this individual the next step will be filing necessary paperwork within your county if you would like to speak with an agent press one..."
Scammers spoofing "Kaiser Permanente" caller ID pressure you to say "yes" to confirm your name, recording your voice for fraudulent purposes. Others claim to be "Juan" from Medicare or "shipping with Humana insurance," saying your Medicare card is being stopped due to "abuse" and asking for your Social Security number to "fix" the issue, becoming abusive when questioned. They use your Medicare number and Social Security number to steal your identity and file false insurance claims. Medicare never cold-calls for personal information. Kaiser does not use high-pressure tactics.
"Robocall fraud, said they were KAISER PERMANENTE and asked it I was myself!!! I have heard that a recording of your voice saying 'YES' can be used for fraud, so I said nothing and hung up."
Automated messages claim this is a "final attempt" to reach you about your car's expiring warranty, saying "we have not gotten a response" to create urgency. The caller does not know what kind of car you drive and often calls about warranties for cars over 20 years old or people with no car at all. They sell expensive and worthless extended service plans using high-pressure tactics. These are not from your car manufacturer or dealer. Real warranty issues come through your dealership directly.
"Got a call about my 21 year old car's extended warranty. Definitely a scam"
"Kenyon Hall" calls law firms asking for attorneys by name regarding "life insurance," speaking in a "robotic monotone voice" and refusing to say which company he represents. He becomes rude and demanding when denied access, calling back multiple times in a row and even tracking down attorneys' mobile numbers from office voicemails to harass them directly. His goal appears to be gathering information about law firms and their clients for unknown fraudulent purposes. Legitimate business professionals identify themselves and their company. This caller's harassment pattern suggests targeted criminal activity.
"Kenyon Hall called our office and wanted to speak to my boss regarding life insurance. I put him on hold and came back to let him know my boss was not available... He then proceeded to question me on whether my boss was in the office or not... My boss told me to hang up and I did. He called back I let his call go to voicemail and he then got my bosses mobile from our office message and he called my boss and was rude to him."
No, area code 510 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 510 is a general purpose code that has been in service since September 2, 1991.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near California (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward), or have a 510 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other California area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: