Westchester's 914 area code is frequently used for Social Security threats and the grandparent bail scam. Callers pretend a grandchild is in jail and needs cash immediately for bail.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
An automated voice calls claiming your Social Security Number has been linked to suspicious or illegal activities and threatens to suspend your SSN and seize your assets if you don't call back immediately. The computer-generated message demands an urgent call back to prevent legal proceedings and warns that your "social and assets" are at risk. They use your fear to trick you into calling back where they will ask for personal information or money to "fix" the fake problem. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten benefits. They show up in your mailbox, not on your phone.
"Computer generated voice: 'because your social has been found suspicious for certain illegal activities. It is very time sensitive and urgent that I do hear back from you before we proceed further with suspension of your social and assets. My direct call back number is 914-206-4812...'"
Someone pretending to be your grandson calls frantically claiming to be in jail after a car accident or DUI and desperately needs thousands of dollars for bail, often mentioning specific amounts like $8,000. The caller says "Grandma, don't you recognize my voice?" and gets upset if you ask their name, insists you not tell anyone else in the family, and provides a case number before an "attorney" calls back moments later demanding credit card information or wire transfer for amounts like $5,000, $7,200, or $8,000. They use your love for family to steal your money through wire transfers or credit card payments. Real attorneys don't pressure grandparents for immediate phone payments. Real grandchildren call from numbers you recognize.
"I got this same phone call, same number saying my grandson was in an accident and it was his fault so he needed $8,000. to bail him out. Said his name was Dennis and from India. Said his case number was 8322391."
Callers using names like "Bill Forbes" or "John White" claim to be from Publishers Clearing House or Reader's Digest, telling you that you've won massive cash prizes like "$4.8 million" or "$10,000 a week for life" in contests you never entered. They demand you pay a fee or buy gift cards worth several hundred dollars to cover taxes or processing before they can deliver your winnings. They steal your gift card numbers or fees and you never see a prize. Real sweepstakes never charge fees upfront. You pay taxes to the IRS after you get the money, not before.
"Hello this is Bill Forbes from the Reader's Digest sweepstakes. I am calling you pertaining to a cash prize of $4.8 million that you've won from our senior citizens monthly draw. For further information about your prize please contact us..."
Someone named "Jessica Watson" or other fake officials claim to be from the IRS in robocalls or messages aggressively stating the IRS is filing a lawsuit against you, threatening that if you or your attorney don't call back the "situation will badly unfold on you," and demanding you call back a 914 number immediately. They use your fear of the IRS to trick you into calling back where they demand money or personal information to stop the fake lawsuit. The IRS contacts you first through U.S. Mail, never through threatening robocalls. Real IRS agents don't wish you good luck before hanging up.
"This is Jessica Watson with the IRS. Don't try to disregard this message and do return the call at 914-488-4565, if I don't hear from your retained attorney, all I can do is wish you a good luck as the situation will badly unfold on you, goodbye and take care."
Callers falsely claiming to be from Con Edison create false urgency by saying your "services were expiring" or offering to save money on your utility bill, with some callers like "Ms. Ginger Bunn" being very rude and repeatedly calling back after you hang up, asking for your account number to "verify" your information. These calls are actually from third-party energy suppliers like America Power & Gas using your account number to switch your energy supplier without your permission. Con Edison doesn't make urgent calls about expiring service. They send bills, not threats.
"Said they were utility company. Told me that my services were expiring??? That Doesn't even make sense. And continued to call me 4 more times after."
A robocall voice named "Suzie" from the "vehicle service department" claims they have sent you several notices in the mail about your car's manufacturer's warranty expiring, calling this a "courtesy call" or "final attempt" before they "close the file," and asks you to press a number like 5 to speak to someone about extending your warranty. They use any response to confirm your number is active and sell you overpriced or unnecessary service contracts. Your car dealer doesn't use robocalls named Suzie. They use real people with real names.
"Hi, this is Suzie calling with the vehicle service department. We are calling about your vehicles manufacturer's warranty. We sent you several notices in the mail that you have yet to extend your warranty pass the factory cut off, and this is a courtesy call to renew your warranty before we close the file."
Scammers claiming to be from Apple, Microsoft, or Google warn that your account has been compromised, with common scripts involving claims that your Apple devices have been targeted by "Russian hackers" or calls about "Geek Squad" renewals you never signed up for, using scary keywords and asking you to go to your computer and follow their instructions. They want remote access to your computer to steal personal information or install malware that gives them permanent access to your files and accounts. Real tech companies never cold call about viruses or hacks. Security warnings appear on your screen, not through random phone calls.
"Got 4 calls today from this number. They tell me that 'you apple devices have been compromised. There have been at least 30 attempts by Russian hackers to break into your devices' when I started questioning them on which devices they are talking about specifically they kept saying 'your apple devices' until they finally hung up."
Area Code 914 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(914) 363-3900
Other
8 reports ·
(914) 353-7754
Other
6 reports ·
(914) 928-6698
Other
6 reports ·
(914) 855-3185
Other
6 reports ·
(914) 840-9577
Other
6 reports ·
(914) 279-4168
Other
6 reports ·
(914) 201-6788
Other
6 reports ·
(914) 293-4495
Other
6 reports ·
(914) 290-9780
Other
5 reports ·
(914) 477-3223
Other
5 reports ·
No, area code 914 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in New York, United States. Area code 914 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 York (Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon), or have a 914 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other New York area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: