Area Code 814 Scams and Spam Calls

Most Common Area Code 814 Scams

• SSN Suspension Scam
• Renewal/Tech Scams
• Legal/Debt Threats
• Utility Impersonators
• Warranty Robocalls
• Student Loan Scams
• Health Insurance Ploys

Social Security Suspension Scam

Robocallers with foreign accents claim to be from the "Social Security department" and tell residents in Central and Western Pennsylvania that there has been fraudulent activity with your Social Security Number and that your SSN is being suspended due to a "federal investigation." They ask you to call another number to resolve the issue and use these threats to steal your personal information. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten suspending your number. They show up in your mailbox with official letters.

"Received a phone call from this number claiming that my ss# was being trailed as a criminal activity and that my ss# has been suspended. I will report this to SSA."

Fake Renewal and Tech Support Scams

Robocalls warn that a large charge of $399 or $1,400 is about to be processed from companies like VTech, Geek Squad, Amazon, or McAfee for subscription renewals or products like an iPhone, instructing you to call a specific number within 48 hours to cancel. When you call back to "cancel" the fake order, they steal your credit card information or demand remote access to your computer to "process the refund." Real companies send renewal notices by email and never use threatening robocalls about charges you didn't authorize.

"SCAM! VTech Solutions, Ebensburg, PA robo call. A pre-recorded message said: they are charging me for a security subscription $399. Wants me to call them back at 1-814-419-3873. Don't fall for this scheme."

Fake Legal Action and Debt Collection Threats

Scammers pose as debt collectors or a "Locating Service" and threaten to serve papers at your home or work with witnesses present, claim they have a "judgment" against you, or will initiate "wage attachments" for debts like a car loan from 2007, with recorded messages about "civil claims" that tell you to press 1 to respond. They use these threats to scare you into paying fake debts immediately over the phone. Real process servers don't call ahead to warn you. They show up.

"Yes, got recorded message Beaverdale PA 814.377.0792 threatened regarding some civil claim. I've gotten plenty of these every month with threats to come to my job and have witnesses available. BS"

Aggressive Utility Company Impersonators

Callers named "Jasmine," "Amy," or "Christine" falsely claim to be from your local power company like Penelec or West Penn Power, tell you to have your electric or gas bill ready, insist you have "power overages" that need to be straightened out, and become pushy when questioned. They use your utility account number to switch you to a different energy provider like "NTHERM" without your full consent. Your real utility company doesn't cold-call about overages or use high-pressure tactics.

"This number seems to come from an entity called NTHERM... These people take phone harassment to a new level. They call over and over again in rapid succession. I have an answering machine and they called a dozen times in a ten minute period and left no message."

Vehicle Warranty Expiration Robocalls

Recorded messages claim this is your "final courtesy call" about your car's expiring warranty, don't know the specific make or model of your car, and hang up when you ask detailed questions about their company. They use false urgency to trick you into buying expensive and often unnecessary extended service plans and will call repeatedly from many different 814 numbers even after you ask to be removed. These calls come from third-party telemarketers, not your car's manufacturer or dealership.

"repeat calls attempting to sell me additional warranty coverage for my vehicle, and I again said I am not interested and remove my name from your call list."

Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

"David Reynolds" from "the student loan center" claims your application is in "pending status" because required documents were never received and urges you to call back before forgiveness programs "go away," especially with election uncertainty, even targeting people who haven't had a student loan in decades. They steal your Federal Student Aid ID and personal information to commit fraud or sell you fake services. Contact the Federal Student Aid office at StudentAid.gov for free help with real programs. Official information comes from the U.S. Department of Education, not generic "student loan centers."

"Hi it looks like I missed you again this is David Reynolds _?_ the student loan center and I'm really sorry to keep bothering you but we're really not sure how to handle your previous request regarding a student loan payments and forgiveness program... we never got the required documents so it's still in a pending status..."

Medicare and Health Insurance Ploys

Scammers pretending to be "Medicare advisors" or from "Senior Care" immediately ask "CAN YOU HEAR ME?" to record your voice saying "yes," falsely claim your "paper red, white, and blue Medicare card" will no longer be good, use caller ID that says "MEDICARE DC" to appear official, and call about disability benefits you never applied for. They use your Medicare number and personal details to commit insurance fraud or sell you subpar insurance plans. Contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE if you have questions about your benefits. Medicare never calls you uninvited to ask for personal information.

"I believe this was a Social Security Scam. Burns me up! Said our paper red, white, and blue Medicare card would no longer be good as of January 1. Wanted to send the 'new' one. Wanted to confirm my address. I told him I believed it was a scam and hung up."

Area Code 814 Phone Numbers Recently Reported As Spam

Area Code 814 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.

Is area code 814 a scam?

No, area code 814 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Pennsylvania, United States. Area code 814 is a general purpose code that has been in service since January 1, 1947.

Why do I get spam calls from area code 814?

You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Pennsylvania (Erie, Altoona, State College), or have a 814 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.

Scams and Spam Calls from Pennsylvania Area Codes

Other Pennsylvania area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: