The 861 area code is currently associated with scams promising PSE&G rate reductions. Callers ask for your account information under the guise of lowering your monthly energy bill.
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 from the 861 area code claim you requested information to lower your electricity bill when you did not. They already have your name and address and call relentlessly, with one resident reporting 35 calls. The callers are men with thick, difficult-to-understand Indian accents who insist you provide information they already seem to have. They use this information to switch you to a more expensive electricity plan without your permission. PSE&G does not cold-call customers with unsolicited rate reduction offers. Real utility companies do not harass you with dozens of calls.
"this number called me telling me i can lower my electricity bill. they claim that i had requested this, which i did not! i called the electric company and found out that the rate they offered me is considerably higher than what i'm paying to pse&g!"
No, area code 861 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Illinois, United States. Area code 861 is a general purpose code that has been in service since February 24, 2023.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Illinois (Peoria, Bloomington, Normal), or have a 861 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Illinois area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: