The 803 area code is frequently used for fake legal threats and Social Security imposters. These callers pretend to be government agents or lawyers to scare you into paying a fake debt.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Callers pose as attorneys or law enforcement, claiming a "formal complaint" or "civil lawsuit" has been filed against you. They threaten to send a process server to your home or work, claim a bounty hunter is looking for you and may harm you if you resist, make vague references to a "formal complaint" or "legal matter" without specific details, and demand you call back immediately to avoid further action. They use these fake legal threats to panic you into paying for a debt or legal issue that does not exist. Real process servers and law enforcement officers do not call ahead to warn you. They simply show up.
"Called claimed to be a law office threaten me about a bail bond told me a bounty hunter was looking for me and If was to resist that the bounty hunter would kill me"
Robocallers or live callers claim your Social Security Number has been suspended due to fraudulent or illegal activity. They identify as a "federal agent" and threaten legal proceedings, use an automated message that instructs you to press 1 to speak with an agent, and ask you to confirm the last four digits of your SSN. They use your personal information to steal your identity or commit fraud. The Social Security Administration does not suspend SSNs and will never call you to demand immediate payment or threaten you with arrest.
"Caller told me that the FBI was looking for me because of scams associated with my social security number I told him if he could find me so could the FBI he wanted further information... he said if I hung up I would be in big big trouble hang up anyway"
Robocallers claim your vehicle's factory warranty is expired or about to expire, often knowing the make and model of your car to seem legitimate. They pressure you for a quick decision calling it your "last chance," cannot provide specific details about your current warranty, start with a recorded message before transferring to a live person, and claim to be from the original car manufacturer when they are not. They use this information to sell you an overpriced and often useless extended service plan. These calls are from third-party telemarketers, not your car's manufacturer.
"Got a call from this number about my vehicle warranty. You can give them a made up name & they'll still say they pulled up the file. Has to be a big time scam."
Scammers call claiming you have been approved for a loan, often for $2,000 or $10,000, from a company like "Advance America." They ask you to pay a fee upfront to receive the loan, demand payment via gift cards like iTunes, Western Union, or other untraceable methods, offer deals that seem too good to be true with no real credit check, and may have heavy accents while using generic American names like "Jason Brown." They take your upfront fee and vanish without providing any loan. Legitimate lenders never ask you to pay an advance fee with a gift card.
"If they say you are approve for $2000 and advising you to get iTunes gift card. They are liars!! I hope you reading this they are under investigation with law enforcement!!!"
Text messages pretend to be from companies like Netflix, USPS, UPS, Walmart, or banks like Regions, claiming there is a problem with your account, a failed payment, or a package delivery issue. They create a sense of urgency like "your account will be locked" or "contact us ASAP," contain strange or shortened hyperlinks like ic09n.com or bit.ly, come from regular 10-digit phone numbers instead of official short codes, and identify the sender as "Jane from USPS." They use your login credentials, personal information, or credit card details to steal from you. These companies do not send account alerts with suspicious links from random phone numbers.
"Text from # saying 'this is Jane of USPS, we tried to deliver your package today but it is sent back to us. Please contact us here ASAP fz15o.com/e9uXlKhYml'"
Robocallers claim a subscription for a service like Microsoft Windows or Norton Antivirus is renewing and warn that a large sum like $299 or $599 will be automatically deducted from your bank account unless you call them back immediately to cancel. The call is an automated voice message about a subscription you do not remember having, they threaten an automatic withdrawal from your bank account for a specific amount, urge you to call back on the number provided to get a "refund" or cancel, and identify themselves as the "Security Support Team." They use this callback to gain remote access to your computer or steal your financial information. Legitimate companies manage subscriptions online and send renewal notices via email, not through threatening robocalls.
"An answering machine message from 'Security Support Team' will automatically renew my subscription {to what??} unless I call 803-302-8672 and cancel. A CHARGE OF 299.000 WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DEDUCTED FROM MY ACCOUNT IF I DONT CALL THIS NUMBER GIVEN."
No, area code 803 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in South Carolina, United States. Area code 803 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 South Carolina (Columbia, Rock Hill, Sumter), or have a 803 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other South Carolina area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: