Scammers using the 385 area code often pose as Discover Card collectors or IRS agents. They use fear of debt or legal trouble to steal your financial information and money.
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Our database contains over 25 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the FTC.
Scammers pretending to be from Discover Card claim your bill is past due even when your account is in good standing, or they offer fake "savings opportunities." They call repeatedly every day starting as early as 8:00 AM, leave voicemails asking for people like "Jacob A. Spaulding" who don't live at your number, and ask you to verify personal information over the phone. They use your personal details to access your real accounts or open new credit lines. Discover Card does not use different local Utah numbers to harass you about bills. Real communication comes through mail, their secure website, or the official number on your card.
"They say they are from discover card and that I owe money and need to pay. I called discover directly and they say they didn't call and I'm in good standing. They call repeatedly everyday."
Callers impersonate government officials from the IRS or Social Security Administration, threatening you with arrest by a magistrate or police and claiming your Social Security number has been linked to money laundering. They demand you verify your full Social Security number to discuss a "case" and call unexpectedly without any prior official mail. They use your SSN to steal your identity or drain your accounts. Government agencies like the IRS and SSA almost always contact you through official U.S. Mail first. They never demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten you with immediate arrest.
"Received a call from a white woman, american. Unlike many of the calls from scammers. Said she was calling from the IRS about a letter I wrote in April 2020...This sent my red flags up because I never sent a letter. Then she said she would like to resolve the matter but needed to confirm my social. I hung up"
People using friendly names like "John," "Dean," or "Josh" send unsolicited texts asking if you're the owner of a specific address and leave voicemails claiming they want to make cash offers on your house, which isn't for sale. They use fake familiarity, pretending you've spoken before or that they just "rode past your house," and the texts come from rotating names like "Terry" or "Alvin." They pressure you into quick, below-market sales to flip your property for profit. These are data mining companies or wholesalers, not legitimate real estate professionals.
"Just got a voicemail from a person named John. He said he just bought property near mine and looked up my number online and wanted to buy it for cash and pay for closing costs."
An automated recording, often from "Jessica," warns you that your car's warranty is expired or about to expire and asks you to press 1 to speak to a "specialist." They call multiple times a day from slightly different numbers and have no information about your actual vehicle or warranty status, calling even people who don't own cars. They sell you expensive and often useless service contracts that your car doesn't need. These calls are not from your car manufacturer or dealership. Your manufacturer contacts you via mail for official business.
"Somehow the warranty on my vehicle is about to expire when I don't even own a car. Scam."
Scammers solicit donations for vague causes like the "state trooper fund," "unified police fund," or "veterans assistance," asking for your credit card or routing number over the phone and getting pushy when you refuse to give immediately. They admit donations are "NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE" and caller ID shows generic names like "PolicePAC." They pocket your money instead of giving it to the causes they claim to support. Legitimate local police and fire departments in Utah do not use telemarketers to raise funds. These calls come from for-profit fundraisers or Political Action Committees that give little or nothing to actual causes.
"CLAIMING TO BE FROM 'FUNDRAISING CTR FOR NATL VETERANS ASSISTANCE PACT' - But the last part of his speech said 'any donations given are NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE' Can you say SCAM????"
Area Code 385 phone numbers reported as unwanted calls to the FTC in the last 30 days.
(385) 261-7125
Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends
5 reports ·
(385) 213-3736
Dropped call or no message
5 reports ·
(385) 273-2940
Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)
4 reports ·
(385) 479-8944
Dropped call or no message
3 reports ·
(385) 317-1139
Dropped call or no message
3 reports ·
(385) 213-8761
Other
3 reports ·
(385) 270-9138
Other
3 reports ·
(385) 348-5842
Dropped call or no message
3 reports ·
(385) 786-8757
Dropped call or no message
3 reports ·
(385) 317-1136
Dropped call or no message
3 reports ·
No, area code 385 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Utah, United States. Area code 385 is a general purpose code that has been in service since March 29, 2009.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Utah (Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo), or have a 385 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Utah area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: