Sacramento's 916 area code faces frequent Social Security arrest threats and fake legal notices. Callers say you will be arrested if you do not pay a settlement fee over the phone.
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.
Callers with heavy accents claim to be from the Social Security Administration and say a "legal enforcement action" has been filed against your Social Security Number for fraudulent activity. They threaten to "suspend your Social and assets" or block your SSN immediately, use robocalls that instruct you to "press 1" to speak with an officer, and give fake identities like "Officer Lou Garrison, Badge #66532." They create false urgency by demanding you call back before you get arrested. They use your Social Security number to steal your identity and drain your bank accounts. The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten arrest. They communicate through official U.S. mail.
"Message from the Department of Social Security Administration...to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities so before this matter goes to the state courthouse and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back..."
Callers from firms like the "Hicks Group" leave urgent voicemails claiming a "formal complaint" has been filed against you and legal documents are scheduled to be served. They make vague mentions of a "complaint forwarded to my office" without specific details, threaten you will be listed as "evading services" if you don't cooperate, provide fake case numbers and 800-numbers to call back, and pressure you by saying the matter is "extremely time sensitive" with 24-48 hour deadlines. They use any personal information you provide to steal your identity or convince you to send money. Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you. They show up.
"Hello ----, This is an urgent message attended for ---- ----- (my mother), my name is Amber, I'm contacting you in reference to a complaint that has been recently forwarded to my office, if you have any questions or concerns, regarding these pending actions that may be filed against you, you will need to contact the firm immediately..."
Scammers with heavy accents use names like "James Whitman," "Michael McCarty," or "Oliver Johnson" to claim you've won millions of dollars and a new car from Publishers Clearing House. They say you've won huge prizes like "$5 million dollars and a new car" even if you never entered, demand you send money or buy gift cards to cover taxes or fees before you can receive your prize, often have someone in the background prompting them on what to say, and give you local 916 numbers and "pin numbers" to call to "verify" your winnings. They use the money you send to steal from you and never deliver any prize. The real Publishers Clearing House never calls winners in advance and never asks for money. They show up at your doorstep with cameras and giant checks.
"I received several calls... supposedly from Publishers Clearing House that I had won $5 million dollars, a new car, free gas card for a year and $5,000 gift card from Walmart. All they wanted was some money to be sent some where to help defray costs."
Callers pretend to be from Comcast or Xfinity and often call late in the evening, sometimes past 8:00 PM. They may know your name and minor account details to sound legitimate, then pressure you into revealing passwords or account information under the guise of offering better deals or faster internet speeds. They immediately hang up if you question their identity, try to get you to sign something in an email while still on the phone, and often use non-working callback numbers. They use your account passwords to take control of your services and steal your personal information. Comcast will never call you and ask for your account password. Real changes happen through their official website or when you call them directly.
"This is a call center that is pretending to be Comcast and will falsely identify themselves as such, in reality they begin by asking fairly benign questions which then turn into phishing, such as asking for account information and passwords. It's very obvious what's happening here..."
Callers pose as debt collectors from firms like "Portfolio Recovery," "D.P. Morgan & Assoc," or "Viking Acquisitions" and use illegal threatening tactics. They use extremely threatening and loud voices, threaten lawsuits or refer to your case as a "legal matter" that's been forwarded to their office, refuse to mail you written validation of the debt when you ask, and become hostile or curse at you when you ask questions. They use any payment information you provide to drain your bank accounts. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act makes it illegal for debt collectors to harass, oppress, or abuse you. Real collectors must provide written validation of debts.
"The phone message left and the ID of the incoming call stated "Rothman Klein" Mediation. Threatening for refusal to pay and giving my 'last warning' extremely threatening voice and volume. Total Scam !!!"
Someone who always identifies as "Alice" sends text messages to 916 homeowners using your first name and correct home address, asking if you are interested in a cash offer for your property even if it is not for sale. You receive unsolicited texts from unknown 916 numbers, the messages include your real name and correct property address, they continue texting from different numbers even after you block them, and your property is not listed for sale. They use your response to confirm your number is active and sell it to other scammers or use your property information for fraud schemes. This is data mining using public records. Legitimate real estate professionals use verifiable and professional contact methods.
"Receiving unwanted multiple texts with my name (after blocking numbers) from Alice saying she wants to buy my house at specified address (never listed for sale)."
Callers, usually with heavy accents, claim to be from Microsoft and state that your computer has been hacked or has a "Microsoft Intruder." You receive unsolicited calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, they use alarming language like your computer is "hacked" or has a "virus," they instruct you to go to your computer and allow them remote access, and they may ask for payment to fix the non-existent problem. They use remote access to steal your personal information, install malware, or hold your computer hostage for ransom. Microsoft never makes unsolicited phone calls about computer issues. Real security warnings appear directly on your computer from your own installed software.
"claimed he was from microsoft...and my computer was hacked so he got into my computer...luckily caught it..."
No, area code 916 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in California, United States. Area code 916 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 California (Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville), or have a 916 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: