Area Code 517 Scams and Spam Calls

Most Common Area Code 517 Scams

• SSA Arrest Threat
• Legal Scam
• Utility Threat
• Medicare/Health Scams
• iCloud Breach Scam
• Lottery Win
• Merchant Account Scam

Social Security Arrest Warrant Threat

Residents in the 517 area are receiving aggressive robocalls claiming to be from the "legal Department of Social Security Administration." The automated message threatens that an enforcement action has been executed against your social security number by the US Treasury and you will be arrested if you don't call them back immediately to avoid appearing before a "Magistrate Judge." The scammer uses a fake federal badge ID, such as "SS a four or five three six." They use your fear of arrest to pressure you into calling back and giving them your Social Security number and personal information. Real Social Security Administration officers do not call to threaten arrest. They communicate through official U.S. mail.

"This message is from legal Department of Social Security Administration... The purpose of this call is regarding an enforcement action, which has been executed by the US Treasury against your social security number ignoring. This would be an intentional attempt to avoid initial appearance before the Magistrate Judge... before you get arrested currently call us back on our department number."

Fake Legal Proceedings Scam

This scam involves a robocall or live person threatening you with a vague lawsuit or legal action without specifying the company or case. They warn that a courier is coming to serve you papers and tell you to have your driver's license "presentable," using an automated voice for this supposedly urgent legal matter. They use this fear to pressure you into calling back and providing personal information or payment. Legitimate process servers do not call ahead to warn you. They simply show up.

"Tried calling to tell me that I was being sued and to have my driver license presentable on the date of the papers to be handed out, never once acknowledging myself by name or an address. Was threatened to be served at place of employment."

Consumers Energy Disconnection Threat

Scammers are spoofing Consumers Energy's name on caller ID and using robocalls to claim your power will be shut off for non-payment, often within a half-hour. The message urges you to press 1 to speak with someone, who demands immediate payment over the phone and asks for payment via unconventional methods like cash apps or gift cards. They use your fear of losing power to steal your payment information or money. Consumers Energy provides multiple written notices by mail before shutting off service. They do not call demanding immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection.

"This number called me and claims to be Consumers Energy. An automated system claims that your account will be shut off if you don't connect with a person. When I connected with them he stated he was from Consumers Energy and said my account was flagged... I told him that's funny because I do not have an account with Consumers. He asked me if I used Cashapp, I replied no, and he hung up the phone."

Medicare & Health Insurance Scams

Callers are targeting mid-Michigan residents claiming they need to send you an "updated Medicare card good for 5 years" or posing as representatives from the Michigan Health Department, often using a spoofed phone number. The caller has a heavy accent but claims to be from a local or state agency, asks you to "confirm" personal information like your address or Medicare number, and calls repeatedly, sometimes sixteen times in less than 45 days. They use your confirmed information to commit Medicare fraud or identity theft. Call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE if you have questions. The government never calls asking you to verify information they already have.

"The number belongs to the Michigan Health Department. After several calls during the day, I finally answered. The caller, who may have been from India, stated 'they needed to send me an updated Medicare card and wanted to confirm my address'. When asked 'where are you calling from' he didn't answer, so I hung up...obvious scammer."

Apple iCloud Breach Scam

You receive an unsolicited call claiming to be from Apple support, stating that your iCloud account has been breached, often calling a home phone number that Apple wouldn't have. The caller uses an urgent tone demanding you take immediate action to secure your account. They use this panic to trick you into giving them remote access to your computer or revealing your Apple ID password and personal information. Apple does not make unsolicited phone calls about breached accounts. All official security notifications come via email or device notifications.

"Called said they were from Apple and that my iCloud account had been breached. Lol, seriously!"

Fake Lottery or Sweepstakes Win

This scam involves a call telling you that you've won millions of dollars and a new car, such as a "brand new 2020 Mercedes" worth "$3.5 million." The caller, who may identify as "John Richard," has barely audible call quality or sounds drunk, and instructs you to first send them money for fees to an out-of-state address in places like Lubbock, TX. They use your fee payment to steal your money and never send any prize. Legitimate lotteries never require you to pay a fee to claim your prize. Taxes are paid to the IRS after you receive winnings.

"Barely audible fake sweepstakes call. I won a 3.5 million cashiers check and a brand new 2020 Mercedes. Supposed to call John Richard @ 803-599-6319."

Business Merchant Account Scam

Local businesses are being targeted by callers trying to gain information about their credit card processing services. A caller, often a rude woman identifying herself as being from "Premier," starts by asking the odd question "do you accept credit cards?" She is evasive or rude when you ask for more information, refuses to state the purpose of the call but insists on speaking to the owner or manager, and hangs up abruptly when questioned. They use this information to trick you into a bad contract or aggressive sales pitch. Legitimate business partners identify themselves and their purpose clearly.

"A woman called asking if we accepted credit cards. When asked what company she represented she said 'Premier.' She was incredibly rude when prompted for more information and hung up after refusing to answer questions."

Area Code 517 Phone Numbers Recently Reported As Spam

Area Code 517 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.

Is area code 517 a scam?

No, area code 517 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Michigan, United States. Area code 517 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.

Why do I get spam calls from area code 517?

You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Michigan (Lansing, East Lansing, Jackson), or have a 517 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.

Scams and Spam Calls from Michigan Area Codes

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