South Dakota's 605 area code is seeing a rise in fake lawsuit threats and internet provider impersonation calls. Fraudsters try to frighten you with arrest warrants or fake service problems to get your money.
Scam & Spam Phone Number Lookup:
Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Robocallers claiming legal action is being taken against you threaten to show up at your home or workplace. They mention vague "pending claims" against you and threaten to visit your "residence and place of work." The message ends with "good luck" in a menacing tone. They use these threats to scare you into calling back a different number and paying a fake debt or fine. Real process servers and law enforcement do not call you first. They show up.
"Told me I had to pending claims against me, if I did not call back they would come to my residence and place of work. At the end of call I was told I had been notified and good luck."
Callers claiming to be from AT&T, CenturyLink, or Frontier say you must switch to digital lines "today" to avoid a "$199 per line" charge. They refuse to provide a direct call-back number, claiming to be in a "call center," and become pushy or rude when you ask for verification. They use any account information you give them to authorize unauthorized service changes on your account. Major utility companies notify customers of network changes through official mail and bill inserts, not high-pressure calls threatening immediate fees.
"Said he was from AT&T and to avoid the $199 per line charge we needed to act today. When pressed about being an actual AT&T employee, he hung up."
Text messages claiming to be from "Agneta Bevan" or "Alana Bason" say they found your number on Indeed and offer a part-time "Personal Assistant/Errand Runner" position for exactly "$500/week." They ask you to email an outlook.com address for more details. They use the personal information you send to steal your identity or trick you into handling fraudulent funds. Legitimate recruiters contact candidates through professional channels like official company email or LinkedIn, not random texts from personal numbers.
"I am Agneta Bevan, I got your # from Indeed. I need a Part-Time Personal Assistant/Errand Runner. Pay is $500/week. Email me for details: [email protected]"
Scammers gain access to your phone account and secretly set up call forwarding so your incoming calls and voicemails go to their number instead. Friends and family report that your voicemail greeting sounds strange or their calls aren't going through, and your phone bill shows calls being forwarded to an unknown 605 number. They intercept your private communications and can use forwarded calls to access your other accounts. This is call forwarding that you did not set up yourself.
"My private cell phone number was being forwarded to this number unbeknownst to me. Was missing calls sporadically from friends/family. Verizon discovered and removed forwarding."
Automated recordings about your car's "expiring coverage" or "warranty" come from spoofed 605 numbers to appear local. They may have outdated vehicle information and call repeatedly, sometimes multiple times a day, even after you ask them to stop. They sell you expensive and often useless service contracts that are not connected to your actual car manufacturer or dealership. Your official car dealership or manufacturer contacts you via mail for legitimate warranty information.
"Having owned a car dealership for 43 years, this is a SCAM!!"
Callers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration or IRS threaten to block or suspend your Social Security Number, saying it has been used in "fraudulent activities" or warning of a "federal criminal offense." They demand immediate payment to avoid arrest and ask you to confirm your SSN over the phone. They use your Social Security Number and financial details to steal your identity and open accounts in your name. The Social Security Administration and IRS initiate contact through official mail, and your SSN cannot be suspended over the phone.
"There is an enforcement action executed by the US higher authorities stating that your SSN is going to be blocked... This is the final attempt to reach you back."
Area Code 605 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(605) 291-1907
No Subject Provided
8 reports ·
(605) 638-2953
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
3 reports ·
(605) 989-2827
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
3 reports ·
(605) 607-9954
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
2 reports ·
(605) 250-5281
Dropped call or no message
2 reports ·
(605) 276-6994
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
(605) 607-9655
Other
2 reports ·
(605) 789-8372
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
(605) 634-2550
Other
2 reports ·
(605) 836-2397
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
2 reports ·
No, area code 605 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in South Dakota, United States. Area code 605 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 Dakota (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen), or have a 605 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.