Indiana's 260 area code is seeing frequent Social Security arrest threats and Medicare scams. Fraudsters target seniors and other residents to steal health information or money under the guise of legal trouble.
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 robocalls claim there has been fraudulent activity on your Social Security Number and that your SSN has been suspended in the Fort Wayne area. The automated voice threatens legal action or arrest and pressures you to call back immediately to avoid a warrant. They use your fear of arrest to trick you into calling back and then demand personal information or payment to "resolve" the fake suspension. The Social Security Administration will not call you to threaten arrest. Real officers do not call first.
"Received an automated call about fraudulent activities connected to my social security number and stated a warrant would be out for my arrest."
Callers claiming to be a "senior care medicare worker" or from companies like "Chronic Pain Sufferers" target Indiana seniors by name and persistently try to get your Medicare number. They ask to "verify" your Medicare number over the phone and become aggressive or insulting, calling you names like "moron" if you refuse. They use your Medicare number to commit billing fraud or steal your identity. Official Medicare representatives never call you out of the blue to ask for personal information.
"call at 2pm saying he was a senior care medicare worker checking up on me (had my name). This was not a robo call, told him I was not interested and not to call again."
Callers pretending to be from law firms like the "Lexington Law Firm" claim they need to "serve papers" and harass both you and your family members, telling them it's a "final attempt" to reach you before a decision is made against you. They refuse to provide their company name or mailing address and become rude or threatening when you ask to be removed from their call list. They create panic to trick you into confirming personal information or making payments on fake debts. Real process servers do not call ahead. They show up.
"Harassing, calling my family members saying they are trying to reach me to serve papers. Ugh"
Calls or text messages claiming to be from Amazon or Walmart about a shipment or purchase you did not make instruct you to press 1 to speak with a fake representative or download remote access software like "anydesk." They use fake purchases to trick you into either giving them personal information over the phone or letting them take control of your computer or phone through the downloaded software. Amazon and other major retailers never call you to ask you to download third-party software.
"They say they are Amazon. They are not they are scamming people saying to download anydesk so they can get into your phone or computer. DO NOT RESPOND!"
Entities like "Dealer Services" call residents in the 260 area code repeatedly, sometimes multiple times per day, about your car's extended warranty. They ask for your car's mileage, are vague and won't give you their business name, and may ask about vehicles you haven't owned in years. They use this information to sell you expensive and often unnecessary service plans from unrelated third-party companies. These calls are not from your car manufacturer or dealer.
"They said it was related to my car warranty and we're asking about the mileage. Would not give me the name of their business."
Text messages from people posing as local real estate investors using common names like "Ellen" or "Tim" know your name and address and ask if you own a specific property and if you would consider selling it. They use your response to gather more information for data-mining operations or to get you into an unfavorable "wholesale" contract. Responding confirms your number is active and leads to more scam attempts.
"Sent texts consisting of 'Hey Thomas, it's Ellen. Do you still own 3466 Orchard Trail Dr by chance?'"
No, area code 260 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Indiana, United States. Area code 260 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 15, 2002.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Indiana (Fort Wayne, Huntington, New Haven), or have a 260 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Indiana area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: