The 417 area code is heavily used for vague legal threats and Social Security scams. Fraudsters claim your benefits are suspended to steal your sensitive personal information.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Robocallers claim a "claim" or "complaint" has been filed against you and pressure you or family members by saying you are part of an investigation. They say you must call back or risk being seen as uncooperative, mention vague debts or legal matters, refuse to provide real details when questioned, are extremely rude, talk down to you, hang up if you ask for their company name, and call family members who you never used as a reference for any account. They use your fear of legal trouble to trick you into calling back and giving them personal information. Legitimate debt collectors mail you official written notices. They do not start with threatening robocalls.
"Said we were part of an investigation, an they would consider u uncooperative if we didn't respond. We have no charges against us, no creditors, police aren't looking for is, scam without a doubt"
Robocallers with foreign accents claim your Social Security Number has been suspended due to illegal activities and threaten that a warrant has been issued for your arrest for "Drug and Money Laundering" in another state like Texas. Some call claiming to be from "National Disability" asking about your disability status. They use your Social Security Number to steal benefits or open accounts in your name. The Social Security Administration does not suspend SSNs and will never call you. They communicate through U.S. Mail.
"I was told via a recording by a woman, who obviously is not of American descent(incorrect English pronunciations) , that I must call back same number or a Warrant for my arrest will be issued because my Social was connected to Drug and Money Laundering."
Callers like "Zack from Omni" or "Midwest Communications" claim that due to recent changes in policy, they can add you to a class-action lawsuit to get you out of your timeshare contract, even if you don't own one. They ask about your "biggest complaint" with your timeshare and call multiple times a day from different numbers. They charge huge upfront fees for services they never deliver. Legitimate timeshare exit companies rarely use cold calls.
"zack from omni, largest timeshare removal company, due to recent changes in policy of timeshare company, they are able to add us to a class action suit to get us out of timeshare. Call at their DIRECT # if 417-324-7834."
Callers claim to be from UPS delivering medical packages you didn't order or say they are "patient advocates" like "Monica" who want to send you "free" back and knee braces. A caller named "George Bates" may already have your medical information to seem legitimate, and some calls start with recorded messages about "medical alerts" asking if you are okay. They bill Medicare outrageous amounts for cheap, unnecessary products. All medical equipment requires a doctor's order, not a phone call.
"Indian call center, claiming to be UPS, who wants to send you crappy back and knee braces, then over bill Medicare for it. The guy said his name was 'George Bates.' They know a lot of your medical information when they call (disturbing)."
Callers like "Daniel" claim to be from Amazon warning about suspicious orders on your account, or say Geek Squad charged your account and you must call for a refund, or claim they are with Bank of America or Discover Card even if you don't have accounts with them. They direct you to websites like "fastsupport.com" to give them remote access to your computer. They use this access to steal files or install viruses on your device. These companies will email you or post notifications in your secure online account. They never call about suspicious activity.
"SCAM, was supposedly from amazon saying that they found an unauthorized charge on my account. tried to get me to go to fastsupport.com so that they could access my personal computer and either access private files or install a virus."
Solicitors using generic names like "Tom," "John," or "Sue" ask for donations for police officers, state troopers, or firefighters and use high-pressure tactics to make you feel guilty for not donating. They get evasive when you ask what percentage of your donation goes to the actual cause because sometimes 98% goes to the professional fundraising company, not the officers. They keep almost all your money for themselves. Many police and fire departments are forbidden from phone soliciting.
"DON'T GIVE THESE JERKS MONEY. THEY SOLICIT FUNDS ACTING LIKE THEY HAND THEM OVER TO THE TROOPERS FOR THEIR CAUSES AND IT IS B.S. THEY SLIDE BY AS A SUPPOSED 'NON-PROFIT' BECAUSE THEY GIVE A FEW PENNIES FROM EACH DOLLAR YOU GIVE."
No, area code 417 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Missouri, United States. Area code 417 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1950.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Missouri (Springfield, Joplin, Nixa), or have a 417 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Missouri area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: