The 612 area code is a hotspot for fake process servers and Social Security impersonation calls. These fraudsters threaten to serve you court papers or suspend your benefits to get your personal information.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Scammers calling Minneapolis residents claim to be compliance officers or agents from firms like "AMI." They threaten you will be "located" at your home or work, demand you call back immediately or "forfeit your rights," mention vague case numbers and documents to be signed, and identify as compliance officers or location services workers. They use your personal information to open fake debt collection accounts and harass you with repeated calls demanding payment for debts that don't exist. Real process servers do not call first. They show up.
"Just got a call from this number telling me I need to call a different number and give them my case number she provided me and said I need to call today or they will go to my address and employee and serve me papers for a court date and I will have to show up with an attorney! Like, really?!"
Robocallers using grandmotherly voices claim your Social Security Number has been suspended or compromised. They threaten arrest if you don't cooperate, demand you withdraw cash or buy Target gift cards to "secure" your money, and follow up with calls spoofed to appear from the Hennepin County Sheriff's office. They use your Social Security Number and personal details to steal your identity and drain your bank accounts. The Social Security Administration communicates through official mail, never threatens arrest, and never demands gift cards.
"I was transferred to this number 612-348-3744 after not wanting to buy target cards and put all my money on them. they claimed the police would come to my house and arrest me if I didn't do it. They said my social security number was being used for illegal activities in another state."
Automated voices claim your car's warranty is about to expire using urgent phrases like "this is your last warning" or "final courtesy call." The calls don't mention your specific car make or model, instruct you to "press 1 to speak to a specialist," and use phrases like "We are required by the state." They use your confirmed active phone number to sell you to other telemarketers and sign you up for expensive, useless service plans. These calls are not from your car manufacturer and the callers have no information about your actual vehicle.
"Wait! Don't hang up.. Extended Warranty for your car."
Callers falsely claim to be from United Healthcare, Medica, or Blue Plus MN using robocalls about "prior authorization department" or "RX DRUG PLAN." Automated systems ask you to press 1 to confirm your name, immediately request your full date of birth, mention pre-authorizations you didn't request, and use spoofed caller IDs showing familiar insurer names. They use your date of birth and health information to access your medical accounts and steal your identity. Your health plan will not ask for your full date of birth at the start of unsolicited calls.
"received call from this number...with a recorded greeting stating something about 'pre-authorization' or 'authorization'. It askes to press the # 1 if you are (your name)...Then, after I pressed #1, the recorded message instructed me to enter my birth date. I hung up."
Scammers call shortly after you place real online orders with Best Buy or Amazon claiming to be from the "verification department." They know what you purchased, sound unprofessional or become defensive when questioned, ask for credit card details you already entered online, and use numbers that disconnect when you call back. They use your payment information to make fraudulent purchases and steal your credit card details. Best Buy and Amazon handle verification through their secure websites, not random Minneapolis phone calls.
"called pretending to be Best Buy - 5 hours after I submitted an order on bestbuy.com - so phishing, not to mention they apparently have an worm into Best Buy's order system."
Minneapolis homeowners receive unsolicited calls and texts from people claiming to be realtors or investors wanting to buy homes for cash. They have your name and address, use familiar names like "Chris from Keller Williams" or "Diana," act evasive when asked how they got unlisted numbers, and ignore requests to be removed from lists. They use your confirmed contact information to sell your data to other telemarketers and real estate scammers. Professional realtors respect your privacy and removal requests.
"Chris from Keller Williams Realty called me to see what happened to my house since it went off the market today. I told him my agent was switching to Keller Williams so we would relist with her. He asked if we wanted to meet with other realtors. Pretty shady to try to take a client from another Keller Williams realtor."
Area Code 612 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(612) 426-4046
Other
5 reports ·
(612) 429-6106
Other
4 reports ·
(612) 884-1636
Other
2 reports ·
(612) 642-3278
Dropped call or no message
2 reports ·
(612) 436-6599
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
(612) 464-0309
Other
2 reports ·
(612) 488-5883
No Subject Provided
2 reports ·
(612) 464-0305
Other
2 reports ·
(612) 464-0302
Other
2 reports ·
(612) 547-7384
Other
2 reports ·
No, area code 612 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Minnesota, United States. Area code 612 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 (Minneapolis, Richfield), or have a 612 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: