Area Code 857 Scams and Spam Calls

Most Common Area Code 857 Scams

• Hijack Scam
• Debt Collection Scam
• SSA Threat Scam
• Pharmacy Scam
• Fax Harassment
• Warranty Expiration

Voicemail & Call Forwarding Hijack Scam

Scammers gain access to residents' phones and secretly activate call forwarding without permission. Victims in the Boston area stop receiving voicemails and discover their calls are being rerouted to a scammer's number. Phone bills show calls being forwarded (marked "FWD") to unknown numbers, and friends say they cannot leave messages or that your mailbox is full when it is empty. They use your intercepted voicemails to gather personal information and business details. No legitimate service activates call forwarding without your clear consent.

"I had the exact same issue with my voicemail not working and my calls getting forwarded to this number. I didn't recognize the number, I looked it up and found this site, seeing others have experienced the same thing."

Aggressive & Vague Debt Collection Scam

Callers from Massachusetts numbers claim to be from "CBE Group" or "Dynamic Recovery" about a "personal business matter." They refuse to state their company name or explain the supposed debt unless you first verify your date of birth or Social Security number. They use intimidating or hostile tones when you refuse and often call from "Anonymous" or local Boston numbers you don't recognize. They use your verified information to open new accounts or commit identity theft. Real debt collectors must identify themselves and mail you written validation within five days.

"Called me several times would not identify the nature of the call unless I verified personal info. Duh."

Social Security Threat Scam

Robocalls or live callers claim your Social Security Number has been "jeopardized" or used in fraudulent activity. Scammers pose as officials like the "Chief Information Officer of the Social Security Administration Office" and threaten arrest or account closure if you don't provide personal information or make immediate payment. They ask you to confirm your SSN over the phone and create extreme urgency and fear. They use your Social Security number to open accounts, file fake tax returns, or steal benefits. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten arrest or demand payment.

"Said I would be going to jail if I don't tell my SS number and make a payment."

"Pharmacy Services" Medical Supply Scam

Callers with heavy accents claim to be from "Pharmacy Services" or another medical supply company about diabetic supplies you never ordered or important Medicare benefits. They refuse to clarify their garbled company name, claim you must act now or forfeit Medicare benefits, and get hostile when you ask to be removed from their list. They call relentlessly from different 857 numbers about medical supplies you did not order. They use your Medicare or insurance ID number to bill for supplies you never receive. Legitimate pharmacies never use aggressive tactics or refuse to identify themselves clearly.

"Says from Pharmacy Services, asked to be put on a do not call, says cant and wont, I insist just gets nasty said will continue to call, something needs to be done, 7 call in 6 days form 7 different numbers."

Relentless Fax & Beep Tone Harassment

Businesses and residents in the 857 area code receive automated calls dozens of times within an hour from sequences of similar phone numbers. When you answer, you hear only loud, high-pitched beeping sounds like a fax machine trying to connect, or silence followed by beeping tones. Calls happen at all hours, disrupting homes and workplaces. They use this "war dialing" to identify active phone lines, which they sell to other scammers and telemarketers. This is not a wrong number but a deliberate tactic to map working phone systems.

"I have received repeated calls from this number, 8 times today alone. Calls received at 10:11,10:13,10:14,10:15,10:16,10:18,16:47,16:49"

Car Warranty Expiration Scam

Robocalls claim your vehicle's warranty is expired or about to expire with generic recorded messages about your "vehicle warranty." They create false urgency, saying the offer expires the minute you hang up, and get evasive when you ask for specific details about your car or their company. They often don't know what kind of car you drive and talk over you when you explain you have a new vehicle with existing warranty. They use your payment information to charge for worthless service contracts with many exclusions. Car manufacturers never contact you through high-pressure robocalls.

"This company has called me from many different numbers. They say my warranty is out of date and I need to renew. I tell them I have a brand new 2017 Toyota that I have had for 3 months with a 6 year warranty on it. Then they start talking over me."

Area Code 857 Phone Numbers Recently Reported As Spam

Area Code 857 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.

Is area code 857 a scam?

No, area code 857 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Massachusetts, United States. Area code 857 is a general purpose code that has been in service since May 2, 2001.

Why do I get spam calls from area code 857?

You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Massachusetts (Boston, Cambridge, Quincy), or have a 857 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.

Scams and Spam Calls from Massachusetts Area Codes

Other Massachusetts area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: