Area code 425 is seeing a rise in fake debt collection and Social Security scams. Scammers harass you about unpaid bills that do not exist to scare you into paying.
Look up any suspicious number using our scam and spam phone number lookup database. It includes over 29 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Robocallers identifying as "Rebecca Moore" claim a "formal complaint" or "case" is being filed against you with fake case numbers and threaten that failure to respond will result in action at your home or workplace. They use vague but intimidating language like "further action will be taken" and threaten to involve law enforcement or serve you at work. The message ends with the ominous phrase, "You have been informed." They want you to press 1 to speak to an agent who will pressure you into paying a non-existent debt. Real officers do not call first. They show up.
"I got called by them about 2 months ago and on recording it says that I will be arrested by federal officers for 4 serious charges against me. I called back and a man answered and i said you called me before and you are a scam and he started swearing at me. I said if you're not a thief why are you swearing at me? he answered suck my dick, suck my dick, over and over."
Scammers spoofing local 425 numbers pretend to be from the Social Security Administration using fake names like "Officer Catherine Richardson" or "Vickie, a Hearing Administrator." They leave automated voicemails claiming fraudulent activity on your SSN, that your number has been "suspended" due to criminal activity, or that an arrest warrant has been issued in your name. They tell you to call back immediately to avoid legal action or the freezing of your assets. They use your SSN and personal information to steal your identity or access your benefits. The Social Security Administration does not suspend SSNs. They communicate by mail, not threatening phone calls.
"Voicemail message stated name is Officer Catherine Richardson from SSA. The call was a final notification against my case with the (something) and an arrest warrant had been issued for my name."
Callers with heavy accents claim to be from Microsoft support, stating your computer's IP address has been compromised or your Windows license has errors. They may have your name and provide a fake "Microsoft ID" to build trust, then ask you to go to your computer and open certain files or logs. They pressure you to buy gift cards from stores like Target and provide a direct 425-area-code callback number instead of an official Microsoft 800-number. They use remote access to your computer to steal personal information or install malware that lets them monitor everything you do. Microsoft does not monitor your computer for errors. Error logs are normal and do not mean you have been hacked.
"This scammer Called my 90 yr old dad pretending to help with computer issues and then Encouraged my dad to go to target to buy gift cards! We called police and target! Target prevented my dad from making the purchase."
Callers impersonate Puget Sound Energy claiming your power is scheduled to be shut off within 30-60 minutes due to a past-due bill. They may have your home address from public records to make the call seem legitimate and demand immediate payment over the phone to avoid shutoff. They use your credit card information to steal money or make unauthorized charges. Contact PSE directly using the phone number on your official utility bill to verify your account status. Puget Sound Energy provides multiple written notices by mail long before any service disconnection.
"Got the same call. They were going to shut off my power. They had my address. When I told them this is a scam... He transferred me to a 'supervisor'. When the 'supervisor' answered, it was the same voice of the person who called. I asked where his office was located… he hung up."
Callers claiming to be from "Century 21" or using names like "Nick" or "Cathy" ask to buy your property with unsolicited "all cash offers." They have your name and address from public records and continue calling repeatedly from slightly different numbers even after being told you are not interested. They may use computer-generated voices or live agents who become extremely persistent. They pressure homeowners into quick, unfavorable sales far below market value. While some may be legitimate real estate agents, their aggressive and harassing tactics violate telemarketing rules.
"This is an agent out of Washington from Century 21 and she and a co-worker continuously call myself and then call my husband minutes later asking us about our house that we sold almost two months ago... I went off and told her to stop harassing us and that I'm reporting her."
A caller using friendly names like "Monica," "Naomi," or "Hannah" immediately asks "Can you hear me okay?" or identifies themselves as being from an "awards department" or as a "hearing administrator." Their only goal is to get you to say the word "Yes," then they may hang up immediately. They record your affirmative response and use it later to authorize fraudulent charges or sign you up for services you never agreed to. This is purely a voice signature capture. Legitimate callers state their name, company, and reason for calling first.
"They start the conversation by 'Hi this is...., can you hear me ok...so naturally reply with a 'yes'...dangerous!"
Callers from companies like "Velocity Payments" or "Centrix Contact Services" harass local businesses trying to sell credit card processing services. They immediately and insistently ask for the business owner, become hostile when asked to remove you from their list, and use vulgar language like "suck my dick, bitch!" or "FU" when rejected. They call the same business multiple times per day even after being told you are not interested. They use high-pressure tactics to lock businesses into unfavorable processing contracts. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Professional service providers do not use harassment and profanity as sales tactics.
"This number has been calling my business two to three times a day asking for the owner and trying to solicit merchant services. We've asked numerous times for them to stop calling and this last time the individual called back and screamed, 'suck my dick, bitch!' and hung up."
You receive a robocall claiming to be from "Amazon Customer Care Service" about a suspicious large purchase with specific charge amounts like $729 or $1,499 and shipping locations in other states like Dayton, Ohio. The automated call asks you to press 1 to cancel the order or speak to an agent. They use this to steal your Amazon account login, password, or credit card information when you call back panicked. Log into your Amazon account directly through the official website to check your order history. Amazon will never call you about suspicious activity and ask for payment or personal information.
"Voicemail message claiming to be they Amazon Customer Care Service supposedly regarding my account and a disputed $729 payment out of Dayton, Ohio."
No, area code 425 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Washington, United States. Area code 425 is a general purpose code that has been in service since April 27, 1997.
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Washington (Bellevue, Everett, Renton), or have a 425 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Other Washington area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: