The 848 area code sees many PlayStation text scams and aggressive home warranty calls. Scammers send messages about accounts you do not have or badger you to buy useless property insurance.
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Scammers send friend requests to New Jersey gamers on PlayStation Network using bot accounts with female-sounding usernames like "lina_kbo," "ddani_x1," or "leighh_5." The profiles have no games, trophies, or personal information. The message asks you to text them at an 848 number because they are "signing off" or "bored." They use your phone number to sign you up for premium text message services that charge your phone bill. These are automated bots created daily to send phishing messages before being banned.
"Got the same PS4 message saying to text this number. girliex38: 'hey there i'm signing off of here right now but u should text me sometime if ure bored 848-258-4102 is my number :)' Stay safe gamer fam."
Callers identifying themselves as being from "Choice Home Warranty" are calling 848 numbers about renewing or purchasing a policy. They call repeatedly, sometimes several times an hour from similar numbers. The callers are pushy and may already know your name. They claim you requested information on their website even if you didn't. They use your contact information to continue calling from different numbers even after you request to be put on a do-not-call list. While Choice Home Warranty is a real company, these aggressive telemarketing tactics violate TCPA regulations.
"Received infinite calls from this telemarketer, trying to sell choice home warranty. i've repeatedly told them to put me on their do not call list... when the 'representative' answered the phone, she knew my name right away. ENOUGH ALREADY!"
Scammers call New Jersey residents pretending to collect money for police officers or a "Police Trooper PAC." They make unsolicited calls asking for donations on behalf of police and offer to mail you an envelope to collect your donation. The caller uses generic titles like "police association" without naming a specific, verifiable local organization. They pocket your donation money instead of giving it to law enforcement. Local police departments and state trooper associations do not cold-call residents for donations.
"These people identify themselves as collecting money for police officers. They offer to send you an envelope so you can donate to your local police. They are a total scam. Do not donate."
Robocallers leave recorded messages threatening serious consequences if you don't call back immediately. The recorded message threatens legal action without naming a specific company or case. They give tight deadlines like 72 hours to create panic and instruct you to call back a different number than the one they called from. They use your callback to confirm your number is active and sell it to other scammers. Legitimate legal actions are initiated with official mail or served papers in person, not anonymous automated phone messages.
"Recorded message threatened legal action if call not returned in 72 hrs. Left no company name and to call back at different number 844-624-2338."
Scammers send texts or leave voicemails claiming a subscription for services like "Norton Ultimate Plus" or "Geek Squad" has been renewed for high prices like $299 or $189. They include a "Transaction ID" to appear official and pressure you to call a specific phone number "within 24 hours" to get a refund. They use your callback to steal your credit card information when you try to "cancel" the fake renewal. Legitimate companies like Norton or Best Buy's Geek Squad send renewal confirmations via email from official company addresses.
"Text message stating an automatic renewal for Norton, at a cost of + $230. If not ordered contact their office at this number."
Callers claim your vehicle's warranty is expired and this is your final chance to extend it. They create false urgency about your car's warranty and ask you to confirm details like your car's make and model. The callers become angry or hostile when you question them or refuse to provide information. They use your vehicle information to sell you overpriced third-party warranties or steal your personal data. These callers are not from your car's manufacturer or dealership. They cannot "take your vehicle away" for not having a warranty.
"Warranty scam, vehicle I've not owned in over a year and a half, and they threatened to come take that vehicle away from me (that i no longer have)."
No, area code 848 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 848 is a general purpose code that has been in service since December 29, 2001.
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 (Toms River, New Brunswick, Lakewood), or have a 848 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: