Scammers using the 319 area code are targeting people with fake credit card rate reduction offers and Social Security threats. They try to get your credit card number or personal details by promising to lower your bills or fix a problem with 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.
Callers from a generic "Account Services" target 319 area residents claiming they can lower credit card interest rates. When you refuse to provide your card information or hang up, they become verbally abusive and use sexually explicit language. They call back repeatedly using threats and profanity after you hang up, and they claim to be from Account Services but cannot tell you which credit card they are calling about. They use your card details to make unauthorized purchases or open new accounts in your name. Real credit card companies never call asking for your account number. They already have it.
"Someone called my 15 yo daughter from this number today and when asked to not call he threatened to rape my daughter."
An automated message claims to be from the "Social Security Department" warning that your Social Security Number has been compromised or used in illegal activities. The recording threatens to suspend your number immediately unless you press 1 to speak with an agent, and demands you confirm your personal information to un-freeze your account while creating extreme urgency to prevent legal action. They use your SSN and personal details to open accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, or steal your identity. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten you. They do not suspend SSNs.
"Threatened to suspend my social security number for illegal activities. Yeah, right. Like the 'Social Security Department' suspends SSNs... not even if you're dead.. try again! Don't take it seriously and don't respond. Just hang up."
Scammers call Iowans pretending to be from law offices, "Investigative Services," or police officers falsely claiming you have complaints filed against you in district court or are about to be served with a court summons. They threaten to serve you with civil papers or a warrant at your home or work, provide fake case numbers demanding immediate callbacks, and use misspelled titles on Caller ID like "Sargent Hoke." They refuse to provide mailing addresses for debt validation letters and use intimidation to extract payments for nonexistent debts. They pocket any money you send them for these fake debts. Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you. They show up.
"This number reported to be a police officer trying to serve me a warrant on a debt. He threatened to serve it to my work place or home."
An automated message, sometimes from "Katie," warns that your vehicle's factory warranty is expiring and urges you to press a key to speak with a specialist about purchasing an expensive protection plan. The caller does not know the make, model, or actual warranty status of your car and creates false deadlines implying your coverage is ending immediately. They sell you overpriced service contracts with many coverage exclusions that are not true warranties. These calls are not from your car's manufacturer. Pressing buttons only confirms your number is active and leads to more calls.
"KATIE CALLED FROM 319-669-8645, SAID MY VEHICLE WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE, TO CALL BACK AT 1-888-218-0804"
Callers pose as "Medicare advisors" in unsolicited calls, with the first question being "Can you hear me?" or similar yes/no questions designed to record your voice saying "yes." They may promise savings on your Social Security check or offer free medical supplies. They use your recorded "yes" to fraudulently authorize charges or sign you up for services you never wanted. Official Medicare representatives do not call you to sell products or plans. The "Can you hear me?" script is a known tactic to obtain voice signatures for fraudulent authorizations.
"This Guy by the name of George call's and says he is a medicare advisor on a recorded line. He then ask if you can hear him then he says nothing else the call is dropped."
A robocall alerts you to a large fraudulent purchase on your account, with reports mentioning a "$399.00 charge" to a "plastic card" via Amazon or a "$1299.99 charge" using an "Apple phone card." The message uses strange phrasing like "plastic card" instead of "credit card" and instructs you to call a specific number immediately to cancel the order. When you call back, they steal your real account and payment information during the fake cancellation process. Amazon and Apple do not make unsolicited phone calls about suspicious charges. They never ask for payment details over the phone to cancel fraudulent orders.
"This is a robo call saying that 'a $1299.99 charge has been paid for with your Apple phone card. If you did not make this charge please call....' I don't own an Apple phone..."
No, area code 319 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Iowa, United States. Area code 319 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 Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Iowa City), or have a 319 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Iowa area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: