The 978 area code is heavily targeted by health insurance scams and car warranty robocalls. Callers try to steal Medicare numbers or trick you into buying useless auto service contracts.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Scammers call 978 area code residents pretending to be from major insurance companies like Anthem Blue Cross, United Healthcare, Wellcare, and AARP. These robocalls know your name and claim you have an "important health reminder" or need to "verify" information. They use spoofed caller IDs to look legitimate, ask you to confirm your name by saying "yes" or "no," request your date of birth to "verify" your identity, and tell you to call back toll-free numbers like 833-xxx-xxxx that don't match your insurance card. Some mention "Optimum Health" or offer "approved genetic testing through social security." They record your voice when you say "yes" to authorize fraudulent charges on your accounts. Real insurance companies already have your information and never call asking you to verify your date of birth.
"I should have known better, but, being stupid, answered 'yes' .... DON'T SAY 'YES'! THIS IS NOT ANTHEM/BCBS!!!! This call may be recorded for quality assurance. We're calling for _____ ______. Yes or no? Is this ______?"
Residents get calls about expiring car warranties, often for vehicles they haven't owned in years. A robocall, sometimes from "Steve from dealer processing," gives you a "last courtesy call" to renew coverage. They can't provide details about the car they're calling about and call from many different local 978 numbers to evade blocking. If you engage, they transfer you to pushy agents like one named "Mario" who becomes aggressive when you decline and uses high-pressure tactics about costly repairs like a fictional "$2600 computer" in your car. They use your payment information to sell you worthless policies that provide no actual coverage. These callers have no real information about your vehicle or warranty status.
"he then became annoyed at the fact that I told him I had a bro-in-law who was a mechanic... he then told me that I have 6 computers in my car and one of them is $2600.00 and do I really want to pay that... I again told him no, im all set and he flippantly said 'welp, best of luck to you - an hung up.'"
You receive robocalls claiming to be from government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration, threatening arrest, legal action, or frozen accounts. A recorded message threatens immediate arrest or legal proceedings, claims your Social Security Number has been linked to criminal activity, and demands you call back immediately or face dire consequences. In another version, a caller named "Monica Jones" leaves messages about a "complaint notice" and threatens to contact your HR or payroll department if you don't call back. They claim they will "serve you papers at your work or home." They use these fear tactics to trick you into paying them money through wire transfers or gift cards. Real government agencies initiate contact through official U.S. Mail, never through threatening phone calls. Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you.
"I received a voicemail from this phone number. I know t was a scam, they said that they were the irs and if I didn't respond in 30 minutes, I would be arrested! Lol"
Scammers call residents with false promises of student loan forgiveness or reduction, even contacting people who have never had a student loan. Callers, sometimes using names like "Karen Evans," ask for your Social Security number and bank account information to process your "forgiveness," pressure you to act immediately to qualify for a special program, and threaten wage garnishment if you don't cooperate. They call relentlessly from multiple numbers when you refuse. They use your personal information to steal your identity or drain your bank accounts. For real information on loan programs, go directly to StudentAid.gov. All legitimate forgiveness programs have formal application processes through official government websites.
"Someone from this number keeps calling and harassing me talking about student loan forgiveness. They've asked for my ssn as well as bank info, this is not a safe number. DO NOT ANSWER THEIR CALLS"
Callers pose as anyone from a local electrician to a travel agent and immediately ask "Can you hear me okay?" or similar yes/no questions. The line goes dead immediately after you respond, and the call comes from an unknown number with no other purpose. They record your voice when you say "yes" and use that recording to fraudulently authorize charges on your phone bill or credit card. There is no legitimate reason for an unsolicited caller to record your voice at the start of a call.
"These jerks said it was recorded and asked if I could hear them. I said yes then remembered this is what scammers do. Can't call them back or message them as they are using a fake relay/"
A scammer calls pretending to be your grandson or other relative, often sounding distraught or sobbing. They tell elaborate stories about being in a car accident or in jail in Massachusetts and needing thousands of dollars for bail immediately. They insist you not tell anyone else in the family to maintain secrecy and give you a phone number for their fake "lawyer," sometimes named "Anthony Davis," to make the story seem more credible. They ask you to send large amounts of cash via wire transfer or gift cards. They use your money for personal gain and disappear. Law enforcement does not conduct bail transactions over the phone using gift cards or wire transfers.
"Caller stated that he was my grandson and said he was in a car accident in Massachusetts and asked for $5000"
You get a text or automated call claiming a large, fraudulent purchase has been made on your Amazon or PayPal account, often for an item like a Dell computer. The message provides a phone number to call immediately to cancel the order and urges you to call a specific number to resolve the issue. The grammar or spelling in the message may be slightly off. If you call, the scammer gets your account login or credit card information to "refund" the fake charge, then uses that information to make real unauthorized purchases or steal money from your accounts. Companies like Amazon and PayPal never send texts or robocalls asking you to call a number to dispute charges.
"received a message which indicated that it came from PayPal with a the purchase of a Dell computer. I checked PayPal, no such entry. The phone number listed to call regarding PayPal was 9782227823."
Area Code 978 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(978) 444-5700
Other
5 reports ·
(978) 233-3516
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
4 reports ·
(978) 953-4938
Other
3 reports ·
(978) 315-9216
Other
2 reports ·
(978) 599-4492
Other
2 reports ·
(978) 384-2450
No Subject Provided
2 reports ·
(978) 731-9281
Other
2 reports ·
(978) 396-2276
Other
2 reports ·
(978) 599-8337
Other
2 reports ·
(978) 438-3888
Other
2 reports ·
No, area code 978 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Massachusetts, United States. Area code 978 is a general purpose code that has been in service since September 1, 1997.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Massachusetts (Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill), or have a 978 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Massachusetts area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: