The 201 area code is heavily targeted by Social Security and arrest warrant threats. Scammers call claiming you have a legal issue to frighten you into paying immediate fines.
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Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Robocallers and live callers pretend to be from the Social Security Administration or US Treasury, using fake names like "Officer Ryan Smith" or "Officer Jason Matthew." They claim a lawsuit has been filed against you or that an arrest warrant has been issued for "unethical activities," often providing fake case IDs like "CP78298" to sound official. The voicemail typically warns you must call back to avoid appearing before a magistrate judge. They use this fake urgency to pressure you into giving them personal information or money. Real Social Security officers do not call to threaten arrest. They send official letters through U.S. Mail.
"Hi this is Officer Ryan Smith calling you from the Department of Social Security administration the reason you have received a phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for criminal activity so when you get this message kindly call as soon as possible..."
Callers pretend to be from local New Jersey utility companies like PSE&G and Elizabethtown Gas, often using names like "Sandra Turner" or "Laura" and providing fake record IDs like "E003351." They claim they need to review your "supply charges" and instruct you to have your bill ready when you call back. The callback number they give you is usually different from what shows on your caller ID. They use your account number to switch your energy supplier without your permission to a different, often more expensive third-party company. Your utility company already has your account information and never calls asking to "review" it.
"Yes hi this is Sandra Turner I was trying to reach you regarding an important matter of reviewing your supply charges on your PS ENG electric account so if you could just return my call my number is 201-347-0233... and then your record ID number to refer to when you call back is E as in Edward 003351 thank you..."
Text messages and calls pretend to be from services like DoorDash, Amazon, or FedEx about orders you never placed. You might get a DoorDash text about food from Pizza Hut or Subway with a suspicious tracking link like "drd.sh." Callers impersonate Amazon claiming there's a fraudulent charge for hundreds of dollars, or FedEx asking to confirm your delivery address for a package you aren't expecting. They want your personal information, your address, or remote access to your computer to "help" with the fake problem. Companies like Amazon handle security alerts through their official app and email, not phone calls asking for computer access.
"Got a call from this number about an Amazon charge, they wanted to access my computer by running a program called teamviewer. this is a scam. I checked my bank and Amazon acct and there was no charge."
Callers offer student loan forgiveness but become exceptionally hostile if you hesitate, ask questions, or request to be removed from their list. Victims report being cursed at, called names like "whore" and "motherf'er," and threatened with wage garnishment. They hang up when you ask for removal, then call back repeatedly from different numbers. This extreme aggression is designed to intimidate and scare you into giving them money or personal information. Legitimate debt relief programs do not employ agents who curse at and threaten potential clients.
"Got a call about student loan forgiveness. I was transferred to a woman, when she said hello, I didn't say anything. She then told me to f--- off and hung up. A couple minutes later, I received a text message from another number... the message stated 'you dumb bitch don't waste my time, I'm gonna make sure your garnished now'."
Robocalls claim your car's warranty is about to expire, often coming 4-6 times a day from various 201 numbers to evade call blockers. Callers like "Stacy from the auto service center" pressure you to "press 1 to speak with a warranty specialist," even if you don't own the car they reference or have repeatedly asked for removal. They have incorrect information about your vehicle or your name, and pressing options to be removed does not stop the calls. They want to sell you overpriced and often useless service contracts through high-pressure tactics. These calls are not from your car manufacturer or dealership.
"Calls almost daily from different numbers. Asks some times to speak to Ethel. No Ethel here, don't even know an Ethel. Then asks who the owner of a Ford F-150 is...it's an extended warranty scam..."
Callers using names like "Kevin Adams," "Ryan Young," or "Raymond" target New Jersey businesses with urgent voicemails about "state and federal OSHA requirements" or other compliance issues. They spoof local numbers on caller ID but ask you to call back a different 201 number. The messages are vague about specific violations but create urgency to scare business owners. They want to sell unnecessary safety posters, training materials, or services through fear tactics. OSHA does not call businesses to sell compliance products. They communicate about official matters through certified mail or conduct in-person inspections.
"Has called from 972-885-6792 twice in the last 2 hours, leaves a message 'Hi, this is Raymond calling in regards to the company's OSHA safety requirements. Please call me back at 201-383-4560' Little do they know."
No, area code 201 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in New Jersey, United States. Area code 201 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 New Jersey (Jersey City, Union City, Bayonne), or have a 201 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other New Jersey area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: