Houston's 713 area code is facing Centerpoint Energy disconnection threats and Social Security scams. Fraudsters threaten to cut off your power or file a lawsuit unless you make an instant payment.
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Scammers spoofing real Centerpoint Energy phone numbers like 713-659-2111 and 713-207-2222 call claiming your gas or electricity account is past due and your service will be disconnected in 30-45 minutes unless you make immediate payment. They often know your name, address, and even your recent bill amount. Some have heavy accents or call-center noise in the background. They use your payment information to steal money from your account or drain prepaid cards you purchase. Real Centerpoint sends multiple notices by mail and offers payment plans long before any disconnection.
"I just wanted to add to the conversation for the sake of others receiving these scam calls. I also just received a call 'supposedly' from CenterPoint Energy today... and it was showing CenterPoint Energy's name and actual phone number: 713-659-2111. This is definitely a scam, although a more sophisticated scam than usual... One of the big give aways is that they said that they were going to disconnect our service within 30-45 minutes."
Robocallers or live callers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration say your Social Security Number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity and threaten you with lawsuits or arrest if you don't call back immediately. Some identify themselves as "Officer Maria" and demand you verify your SSN or buy gift cards at Walmart. They use your personal information to steal your identity or open accounts in your name. The Social Security Administration never calls to threaten benefits or demand gift cards.
"Typical scam robocall saying my social security number is involved in fraudulent activities, call them back immediately before they initiate legal action. Needless to say, didn't call back."
Scammers claiming to be compliance officers, investigators, or deputies say a legal case has been filed against you in Harris County and threaten to send a constable to your home or job. They use official-sounding names like "Francis Watson," "Michelle Garcia," or "Melissa Young" and provide fake case numbers. They refuse details unless you verify personal information and sometimes call your family members about the fake case. They use your fear to trick you into paying non-existent debts or fines. Real law enforcement and process servers don't call ahead. They show up.
"A man called 15 times, back to back, within 10 minutes. He just said my name and when I said nothing, he said 'I will mark you as non-complaint and we will proceed to your residence.' 100% sure I have zero issues with anything or anyone, so this has to be a scam."
Scammers using phone calls and text messages impersonate Chase and Wells Fargo banks. Chase robocalls offer a "final courtesy call" to lower your credit card interest rate or claim to be from the fraud department asking for account information. Wells Fargo texts say "Please call back to confirm your phone number." Caller ID might show "SPAM CHASE" or similar variations. They use your account information to steal money or open fraudulent accounts. Your bank never texts asking you to validate your phone number or calls asking for full account numbers.
"RECEIVED A TEXT saying 'Please call back to confirm your phone number. Thank you, Wells Fargo Team.' Funny thing about it is I DONT HAVE A WELLS FARGO ACCOUNT."
Repeated robocalls spoofing real Apple store numbers claim your iCloud account has been breached and instruct you to call a specific number or press 1 to speak with support. They ask you to visit a website to "establish a connection" and may call 5-8 times in a single hour. The caller ID displays "APPLE INC" but the calls are unexpected. They use remote access to your devices to steal personal information or install malware. Apple never calls unsolicited about security breaches.
"Another cloned Apple store number referencing a cloud hack. I do not have any Apple product or cloud."
Callers identifying themselves as "Joel" or a couple named "Dee and Shaun" claim they were "driving through your neighborhood" and want to make a cash offer on your property, promising to pay all closing costs with a quick sale. These are robocalls or pre-recorded messages from real estate wholesalers. They put your property under contract below market value, then sell that contract to another buyer for profit. Legitimate investors don't cold-call homeowners with generic scripts.
"Left VM. Wanted to buy my house, I rent so good luck there. Said her name was Dee or Zee, and her partner was Shaun (or Shawn?)."
Pre-recorded messages entirely in Chinese hit 713 numbers multiple times daily from various similar numbers. The message claims the person has a document to pick up from the Chinese consulate in Houston and prompts pressing a number to speak with a specialist. They use this trick to steal personal information from Chinese-Americans but dial numbers indiscriminately. Government embassies never use robocalls to inform citizens about official documents.
"Automated messaging system said in Mandarin that I have a document at the Chinese consulate in Houston, and press 1 to connect to a specialist to take care of it. It is clearly a scam for personal information as I have nothing to do with the Chinese consulate there currently."
No, area code 713 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Texas, United States. Area code 713 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 Texas (Houston, Pasadena, Pearland), or have a 713 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Texas area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: