Pittsburgh’s 412 area code is seeing fake utility shut-off warnings and aggressive home offers. Callers threaten to cut off your power immediately unless you pay them right away with a prepaid card.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Scammers call Pittsburgh residents claiming to be from Duquesne Light, threatening to shut off your power in 30 minutes unless you make an immediate payment, or offering fake 40% discounts on your bill. They spoof caller ID to display "DUQUESNE LIGHT" and become obscene or verbally abusive when questioned. They use the payment information to steal your money or bank account details. Real utility companies send multiple written notices through the mail long before disconnection. They never demand immediate phone payments to avoid shut-offs.
"LOST $433 DUE TO A SCAM! TOLD ME THEY WERE MY UTILITY COMPANY AND SAID THEY WERE GOING TO SHUT OFF MY ELECTRIC IF A PAYMENT WASN'T MADE."
Callers using names like "Roberta," "Cody," "Erin," or "Matt" relentlessly contact 412 residents with unsolicited cash offers for their homes, claiming they "just bought a house in your area" and texting your exact address or making absurdly low offers for properties you don't even own. They use the personal information you confirm to target you with predatory deals or identity theft. These are not legitimate real estate investors making fair offers.
"Voicemail: 'Hi my name is Cody. I know this might seem a little bit out of the blue but I just recently sold a house in your area. I'm looking to buy another one... I'm just looking for a real easy sale as is all cash.'"
Robocallers from "Dealer Services" or "Dealer Processing" repeatedly call about your car's extended warranty, using spoofed local numbers and recorded messages, but cannot tell you the year, make, or model of your car, and pressing numbers to be "removed" leads to even more calls. They sell you overpriced or worthless service contracts that provide little to no coverage. These calls are not from your car manufacturer or dealership.
"A supposed car warranty company, who can't even tell who they're calling for/year, make, model of car/ their company's address. It's kinda funny to have a middle eastern man say his name is Carlos Gomez !"
Callers claiming to be "Client Services" or the "Allegheny County Processing Unit" warn that a lawsuit has been filed against you or a court summons is being served, refusing to state their company name until you verify your date of birth and threatening to send a "processor" to your home or work for debts over 10 years old that you've never heard of. They use your personal information for identity theft or trick you into paying fake debts. Real process servers don't call ahead to warn you. They show up.
"Received call/message - they state they have a claim against me. Blah Blah, they call on all my numbers. But, then they change the last 4 digit of the phone number but still leaves a message of the same information. Don't they know we are on to all of the scammers, and if someone has a claim, they don't notify you by phone."
Robocallers claiming to be Apple Support warn that your iCloud account or iPhone has been breached, urging you to call a different number or stay on the line to resolve the issue, often calling landlines of people who don't even own iPhones, sometimes calling five times in 15 minutes. They steal your Apple ID password and verification codes to access your accounts and devices. Apple never calls you unsolicited about security breaches.
"Robocall female voice claimed to be Apple (called home phone number- land line) concerning a data breach on our iPhone/iCloud. I do not own an iPhone or have iCloud. 2 calls yesterday and another today."
Scammers using names like "Jesse" call pretending to work for the Social Security Administration, calling from standard 412 numbers instead of official 1-800 numbers and asking you to verify sensitive information like your "date of hire" or health insurance details while claiming to process a disability application. They use your Social Security number and personal data for identity theft. Call the SSA's official number at 1-800-772-1213 to verify any contact. Real SSA agents never call you to ask for personal information.
"Jesse if that is his real name called me posing as a agent from Social Security. He wanted information from me my date of hire and my health insurance information . I did not give it to him... I called Social Security and gave his phone number and they said it was a scam."
Area Code 412 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(412) 401-7931
Other
18 reports ·
(412) 663-3532
No Subject Provided
4 reports ·
(412) 398-8252
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
4 reports ·
(412) 385-2700
Other
4 reports ·
(412) 524-2069
Other
3 reports ·
(412) 516-0501
Other
3 reports ·
(412) 267-3975
Dropped call or no message
2 reports ·
(412) 314-5200
No Subject Provided
2 reports ·
(412) 273-7594
Other
2 reports ·
(412) 620-6955
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
No, area code 412 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Pennsylvania, United States. Area code 412 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 Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Monroeville), or have a 412 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Pennsylvania area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: