Ohio's 740 area code is seeing many Social Security fraud alerts and fake Amazon purchase calls. Scammers claim your account was hacked to trick you into giving them access to your funds.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Robocalls are targeting Ohio residents claiming your Social Security Number has been used for fraudulent activity and threatening you with "legal proceedings" or an arrest warrant if you don't call back immediately. The message asks you to press 1 to speak with a "social security person." They use your SSN information to create fake accounts and steal your identity. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten arrest or demand payment.
"I am having an arrest warrant in my name unless I press one to talk to a social security person about fraudulent activity on my social security account."
Robocalls claim a large fraudulent purchase like "$299.99" or "$1099 for an Iphone 12 Pro" has been made on your Amazon account and pressure you to call a specific 740 number or press a key to cancel the order. When you call, they steal your account login and payment information to make real unauthorized purchases. Amazon does not call customers to confirm purchases or ask you to call separate numbers to cancel orders.
"a Robo call on my voicemail. saying there was a potentially fraudulent charge on my account for an Iphone 12 Pro in the amount of $1099 going to Memphis TN. I'm in WA. They said to call Amazon Customer Service at this phone number 740-520-2641."
Scammers call 740-area residents pretending to be from a "Walk In Urgent Care" demanding payment for a bill you don't owe, sometimes using old personal information like a previous employer to sound legitimate and pressure you to pay for a visit that never happened. They use your payment information to steal money from your account or credit card. Real medical billing departments always mail official itemized bills.
"They left a voicemail saying I owed money from a urgency care visit from a location I've never even heard of. Said I went in 2019 and listed my previous employer as the company who I got insurance through. I never got insurance benefits from that job. Total scam."
Intimidating calls claim a "complaint was filed against you" or that you must appear before a "magistrate judge or a grand jury," often threatening you with an "intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance" and providing a fake case or docket number to scare you into calling them back. They use your personal information and fear to extract money or steal your identity. Real process servers and court officials deliver legal notices in person or by certified mail, never through robocalls.
"Got a call saying there is a case against me. I called the Franklin County clerks office to verify if it was true and turned out it was a false claim"
Callers falsely claim to be from "the Medicare Office" or groups like "Allied Partners" to discuss your coverage, often offering "free" medical equipment like "back, knee and shoulder braces" that you never requested, then asking you to verify your name, address, or Medicare number. They use your Medicare information to bill the government for equipment you never received and steal your identity. Medicare only calls if you specifically requested contact and never asks for financial information over the phone.
"Called to advise they were shipping the back, knee and shoulder braces. Told him I already had the braces and he hung up on me!!!"
Callers pretend to be from AEP electric, threatening your power will be shut off "tomorrow" not for non-payment but because a "program is being disconnected," demanding an immediate service fee to keep your lights on. They steal your payment information to drain your bank account or max out your credit cards. Utility companies like AEP provide multiple written warnings over long periods before disconnection and never demand surprise service fees.
"He said our electric would be turned off tomorrow. I said that's odd since the bill is always paid in full and on time. He stated it wasn't for non payment but because the program is being disconnected unless we pay a service fee."
Robocalls with recorded messages state your "car warranty is expired" and call repeatedly from different phone numbers, hanging up when you ask to be removed from their list. They sell you expensive, worthless vehicle service contracts and use your payment to steal your money. These calls are not from your vehicle's manufacturer or dealership but from third-party telemarketers.
"Call is a recording stating your car warranty is expired. If you are lucky enough to get a live person, when you ask to have your number removed they will hang up. This number calls me several times a day."
Text messages from someone named "Trisha Davis" claim a letter was sent last month and "today was your last day," mentioning a previous letter you never received to create panic and get you to immediately call the 740 number provided. They use social engineering to bypass your skepticism and steal your personal information once you call. Legitimate agencies do not conduct urgent official business through vague text messages from personal-sounding names.
"Hi my name is Trisha Davis and we had sent you a letter last month stating that today was your last day. Could you give me a quick call at 740-241-5277 now?"
Area Code 740 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(740) 275-8683
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
8 reports ·
(740) 848-1662
Dropped call or no message
4 reports ·
(740) 673-3355
Other
3 reports ·
(740) 379-3308
Other
2 reports ·
(740) 599-1582
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
(740) 730-0518
Other
2 reports ·
(740) 715-4648
Other
2 reports ·
(740) 289-7891
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
(740) 765-3014
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
(740) 760-7813
Other
2 reports ·
No, area code 740 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Ohio, United States. Area code 740 is a general purpose code that has been in service since December 6, 1997.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Ohio (Newark, Lancaster, Marion), or have a 740 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Ohio area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: