The 839 area code is used for the emotional injured grandson scam and aggressive magazine sales. Callers claim a family member is hurt and needs money or they harass you to buy subscriptions.
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Someone calls claiming to be your grandson who was in a car accident and arrested for reckless driving in an out-of-state city like Philadelphia. They say they broke their nose and are too embarrassed to call their parents. The voice does not match your grandson's. A second person calls claiming to be a lawyer asking for money. They use your emotional response to get you to send bail money before you can verify the story. Real law enforcement does not call family members to arrange bail over the phone.
"Said grandma, grandma thank goodness you picked up. I said you don't sound like my grandson. Grandma I was in an accident and broke my nose.... He claimed he was arrested in Phil. PA for reckless driving and was in an accident."
A caller tries to sell magazine subscriptions by asking for someone who no longer works at a business number. When told they have the wrong number, they become rude and confrontational, refusing to accept the correction and insisting on continuing their sales pitch. They use your personal information and aggressive behavior to pressure you into buying subscriptions you do not want. Professional businesses train representatives to be polite.
"Very rude man I think trying to send magazine. Asked for someone who no longer works here and said he did not have the wrong number when I told him that."
Callers ask for you by name and immediately hang up when you answer, or they call repeatedly without saying anything. These calls flag your number as active and answered by a real person. They sell your confirmed phone number to scam operations who will target you with fraud attempts later. These are not wrong numbers.
"Yes. Asked my name and then hung up."
No, area code 839 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 839 is a general purpose code that has been in service since May 26, 2020.
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 839 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: