30 Area Codes to Watch for in Latest Phone Scam

Phone scams—in which fraudsters call or text asking for money or personal information that enables identity theft—are growing by the day. Experts say you should never give out personal information over the phone, and it's best not even to answer calls or texts that come from numbers you don't recognize. BeenVerified analyzed more than 150,000 sketchy phone numbers provided by users over the past several years and determined the most common area codes used for scam calls in each state. These are the ones you should watch for in the 30 most populous states. Some of them are part of nationwide scams, and you should be aware of them no matter where you live.

In California, the top phone scam area code is 213, according to BeenVerified's data. 

In the Lone Star State, the most common area code for scams is 469. BeenVerified said this is the area code used for a common scam nationwide, in which victims are mentioned by name about a failed delivery attempt. You might receive a text message that reads something like, "The address on record for (Father's NAME) is incorrect, please contact 469-709-7630 to correct it" or be asked to give digits of your social security number. Don't. 

In the Sunshine State, most scam calls come from area code 786.

The Empire State's scam calls most commonly come from area code 917. In March of this year, several people reported getting an unsettling message from a 917 number: Is this (my name)? Oh good! I'm happy I finally get to speak to you (my name) … Guess where I'm hiding?" It was a marketing campaign for the movie Scream VI.

In Pennsylvania, fraudsters most often call from area code 717.

773 is the area code most often used by phone scammers in the Prairie State.

In Ohio, the top phone scam area code is 740, according to BeenVerified's data. On Aug. 10, state officials warned against a new phone scam in which fraudsters are using recent obituaries to find information about a deceased person's family, then contacting family members pretending to be an employee from the funeral home or cemetery. "It's an awful scam that targets families when they're most vulnerable after losing a loved one," said Daphne Hawk, Superintendent of the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. If you receive this call, experts say you should hang up and contact the funeral providers you're working with. 

In the Peach State, the most common area code for scams is 470.

In North Carolina, the area code to view with suspicion is 910.

In the Great Lake State, be wary of any phone calls you don't recognize coming from a 313 number. This spring, state officials issued a warning about "one-ring" phone scams, in which scammers call a number and hang up after a ring or two, hoping the person will call back. When they do, they're connected to an international number and charged a high fee. The scammers make money from those charges.

In the Garden State, most scam calls come from area code 201, according to BeenVerified's data.

In Virginia, scammers most often will use numbers beginning with the area code 757.

In Washington State, fraudsters most often call from area code 206.

480 is the area code most often used by phone scammers in the Grand Canyon State. In June, state officials warned about a phone scam in which residents were contacted by someone identifying themselves as a "Jury Commissioner." The caller uses aggressive and threatening language while trying to confirm personal information, including physical and email addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth, and may attempt to collect fake fines.

In Tennessee, the top phone scam area code is 615, BeenVerified found.

In Massachusetts, the most common area code for scams is 617.

If you're in Indiana and receive a call or text you don't recognize that begins with 812, proceed with caution. 

In the Show-Me State, 314 is an area code you should be vigilant about, if it's attached to a number you don't know. In June, state officials warned about an increase in AI-related voice scams, in which fraudsters call unsuspecting victims and use their relatives' AI-manipulated voices to convince them to send money for bail or other fake scenarios.

In Maryland, be wary of any phone calls you don't recognize coming from a 443 prefix.

Dairy State phone scammers will most often use numbers beginning with the area code 757.

In Colorado, the top phone scam area code is 720, according to BeenVerified's data. This spring, state officials warned against phone scammers claiming to be from the local sheriff's office or the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. They say those agencies will never call residents out of the blue, and you should never provide personal information over the phone. 

In Minnesota, the most common area code for scams is 612.

In the Palmetto State, most scam calls come from area code 803.

In Alabama, scammers most often will use numbers beginning with the area code 205. On Aug. 3, WALA reported on a new phone scam purportedly coming from the state department of revenue. It features a "salesperson" offering a tax refund "due to economic hardships due to inflation for qualified businesses" that could "cover things from gas, utilities, among other things." Officials say it's not a legitimate call—the department doesn't work with third parties to offer refunds to taxpayers.

In Louisiana, fraudsters most often call from area code 318.

If you're in Kentucky and receive a call or text you don't recognize from area code 502, proceed with caution.

Be wary of any phone calls you don't recognize coming from a number starting with 541.

405 is the area code most often used by phone scammers in the Sooner State. In May, local station KFOR reported on a scam in which the state healthcare authority's phone number was spoofed, and scammers asked customers of SoonerCare for personal information and "payments" for the free service.

In Connecticut, most scam calls come from area code 860, according to BeenVerified's data.

RELATED: 20 Worst States in America for Healthcare

In Nevada, be wary of any phone calls you don't recognize coming from a 702 prefix.