Scammers use the 828 area code to make Social Security threats and push auto warranty scams. They claim your benefits are at risk or your car coverage is expired to get a payment.
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Callers claim your Social Security Number has been used in drug sales or other federal crimes and will be suspended immediately. They threaten that if you hang up, you will face an "initial appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal offense." The robocall urges you to press 1 to speak to an agent. They use this fake emergency to trick you into giving them your Social Security Number and personal information over the phone. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten suspension or demands immediate action through phone calls.
"Prerecorded message...Claims *something something * important action executed by law enforcement to suspend my social security number on an immediate basis. Ignoring that would be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal offense."
Callers spoof local 828 numbers and present themselves as final notices about your expired car warranty. They become hostile when questioned, with one female representative getting "very ill" with a victim for asking them to stop calling. They continue calling from slightly different numbers after being blocked and ask you to press a number to be removed from their list. They use your confirmed active number to sell your information to other scammers and warranty companies. These final notices are sales tactics, not official manufacturer warnings.
"Continuous daily harrassment for a warrenty that I've already declined multiple times. A female rep got very ill with me for asking her to stop calling. I've blocked the number but they still call."
Scammers impersonating law firms like "Cardinal Legal Services" or the Sheriff's Department call claiming a legal complaint has been filed and you will be "served." They pressure you about very old or nonexistent payday loans and threaten arrest over consumer debt. They use these fake legal threats to collect money you don't actually owe or to gather your financial information for identity theft. Real process servers do not call ahead to warn you, they show up. You cannot be arrested in North Carolina for failing to pay civil debt like payday loans.
"I got a call today telling me i was going to be served so then i rush to call the police dept only to find out it is a scam call."
Callers identifying as "Joe Johnson" or "Dave Sawyer" from Publishers Clearing House claim you've won millions in prize money. They demand you pay an "insurance fee" by purchasing "2 vanilla gift cards a wal-mart for 400.00 a piece" before you can collect your winnings. The caller becomes verbally abusive if you question them. They use the gift card numbers to steal your money immediately and your prize never exists. Publishers Clearing House awards major prizes in person with their Prize Patrol and never requires winners to pay fees or buy gift cards.
"call from people claming to be from publishers clearing house. had to buy 2 vanilla gigt cards a wal-mart for 400.00 a piece. total 800.00. all a scam."
Scammers impersonate Amazon, Norton360, Microsoft, and Wells Fargo to create fake emergencies. They send texts about locked Wells Fargo cards you don't own, call about expensive "Iphone Pro12" purchases on your Amazon account, or claim your Norton360 malware software needs a $399 renewal. Norton360 callers specifically tell you to go to Kroger to buy gift cards for payment. They use your gift card numbers to steal your money or gain remote access to your computer to install malware and steal your files. These companies never make unsolicited calls about problems and never accept gift cards as payment.
"Got a call from 828-372-4401 saying there was fraudulent activity on my Amazon account. Press 1 to be connected to an Amazon Customer Service Representative to resolve this matter and keep your account from being frozen."
Callers pose as Medicare or United Healthcare representatives and ask for family members by name, often using the name "Frank." They offer better plans or claim to call about prescriptions, then request your Medicare card number and personal information. They hang up quickly when told Medicare doesn't make these calls. They use your Medicare number to commit medical identity theft and bill fraudulent services to your account. Official Medicare representatives only call members who have given them permission and never call to sell products.
"I've received 4 calls from this #. They ask for my father by name and tell me they are from Medicare, when I tell them Medicare doesn't call their members they hang up."
No, area code 828 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in North Carolina, United States. Area code 828 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 22, 1998.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near North Carolina (Asheville, Hickory, Lenoir), or have a 828 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other North Carolina area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: