The 218 area code is seeing a flood of Medicare imposter scams and IRS arrest threats. These fraudsters try to trick seniors and other residents into sharing sensitive health or financial data.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Scammers call Minnesota residents in the 218 area code claiming to be from United Healthcare, the "Medicare Help Line," or another health service. Callers using names like "Nancy" or "Meredith" offer free items like back braces or topical pain cream, already know your name and address, but ask for your Social Security or Medicare number to "verify" your eligibility. Some callers have foreign accents with kids yelling in the background. They use your Medicare number to bill the government for products you never ordered or receive. Medicare and legitimate insurance companies almost never call to offer free products or ask for personal numbers over the phone.
"Caller said he was preparing to send a Complimentary gift of health products free of charge. Caller already had my nick name and address. then asked for SS or Medicare #. When I said NO caller hang up."
An automated or live caller claims to be from the IRS, stating you are "hiding taxes" or have an outstanding issue. They threaten that a lawsuit is being filed against you and that you will be arrested by "local cops" if you don't provide your Social Security number or send money immediately. The caller becomes hostile and uses insults when you refuse to cooperate. They use your personal information to steal your identity or money you send to avoid fake arrest. The real IRS always initiates contact through official letters sent via U.S. Mail. They never call to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest.
"Someone called and said they needed my social security number to clear up a problem with my taxes pr I would be arrested. When I refused to give them the infomation. They called me a bitch and hung up."
Numbers from the 218 area code send unsolicited pornographic material to residents. People receive disgusting text messages containing lewd photos of male genitalia, explicit videos, and vulgar requests, often late at night or in the early morning hours. Callers whisper or moan into the phone. These are malicious individuals seeking to shock and disturb recipients. This is digital harassment and is illegal.
"Received a text message from this number with male genitalia pictures and a video"
Scammers robocall residents with threats of pending legal action. The recorded message or live caller claims a "complaint has been filed against you" or that they are calling to "serve you with legal papers." They refuse to identify their company or the nature of the debt, demand you verify your Social Security number before giving information, and threaten you will be "apprehended by the local cops." When you call back, they may be evasive or hang up after making vague threats about you having "fun in court." They use your personal information to commit identity theft or trick you into paying fake debts. Legitimate process servers do not call ahead. They deliver legal documents in person.
"robo call stating they serving me papers and i have been notified. I call number and the guy said my name and repo then said had fun in court. He hung up on me"
These are relentless, high-volume robocalls trying to sell you an extended vehicle warranty. The automated message creates false urgency about your car's warranty expiring. Callers ask about a vehicle you sold years ago or never owned, hang up if you question where they got your information, and you receive 5-6 calls a day from the same or similar numbers. They use your interest to transfer you to high-pressure sales agents who sell worthless warranty policies. These calls are from third-party telemarketers, not your car manufacturer or dealership.
"After trying to verify my name, they tried to sell me an extended vehicle warranty. When questioned about how they got my information, they hung up. I called back, many times. Each time I got a different person, and each time they went on a spiel about how my warranty expired on the first. Total scam."
You receive a text from "Sweet Treats Ice Cream" offering you $500 per week to put a logo on your car. Another version claims your phone number won the "Mega Millions/iPhone lottery" and instructs you to email an agent named "Katie McGrath" to claim your prize. The text contains a shortened link like cutt.ly and asks you to click it. They use your personal information to steal your identity or trick you into paying fees to get your fake winnings. You cannot win a lottery you did not enter.
"Hi there you have been chosen as one of the lucky people we would like to work with. Sweet Treats Ice Cream seeks people from your city who will allow us to plaster our logo on their car/bike or in front of their house/apartment for advert and you will be getting 500 dollars per week."
Business owners in the 218 area code are targeted by a man identifying himself as "James Murphy at AMP" who repeatedly calls demanding to speak with the person in charge of credit card processing. He makes unbelievable claims of saving you 40-60% on fees without knowing your current rates, is extremely rude and pushy, refuses to leave voicemail or provide detailed company information, and calls back immediately after you hang up. They use your business information to switch your payment processor without permission or steal sensitive financial details. Reputable financial service providers do not use harassment and high-pressure tactics.
"I have been getting calls (repeatedly) from a person named James Murphy at AMP... He is extremely rude and persistent. I hung up on him three times, finally telling him to NOT call back again. It is a credit card processing scam/phishing activity."
Area Code 218 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(218) 250-3125
No Subject Provided
3 reports ·
(218) 336-8503
Other
2 reports ·
(218) 476-2561
Other
2 reports ·
(218) 619-8970
Other
2 reports ·
(218) 428-8621
Other
2 reports ·
(218) 662-2086
No Subject Provided
2 reports ·
(218) 513-8410
Other
2 reports ·
(218) 997-7271
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
(218) 619-9347
Other
2 reports ·
(218) 619-9893
Other
2 reports ·
No, area code 218 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Minnesota, United States. Area code 218 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 Minnesota (Duluth, Moorhead, Hibbing), or have a 218 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Minnesota area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: