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Below you’ll find the worst offenders according to our community of CallerSmart users when it comes to area code 236 phone scams. These are phone numbers starting with 236 which have the lowest Trust Factor ratings and the most negative feedback so please beware! 236-334-8902. Scammer spammed texted. richie.chookittiampol from Grand Prairie, TX.
“Those area codes are 100% guaranteed to be a scammer. Like area code 300. There’s not really a 300, so any calls coming it there are going to be a scam,” Quilici said.
- Overview
- Most Common Scammer Area Codes
- Common Types of Phone Scams
- Protecting Yourself from Phone Scams
- Reporting Phone Scams
Constant phone calls from unknown numbers are more than just irritating. Calls from certain area codes inside and outside the US are more likely to be scams than innocent telemarketing, and answering or calling back these numbers can result in a loss of personal information or costly international calling fees. In this article, we’ll show you the most common domestic and international scam area codes to avoid answering calls from, plus the types of scams these callers use and how to protect yourself from fraud.
Ignore calls from 3-digit international area codes that are likely to be scams, including 232, 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849, and 876.
Be wary of calls from unknown numbers with your own area code. These may be international caller ID spoof scams that appear local.
Sign up for the FTC’s
National Do Not Call Registry
and ask your phone provider about robocalling blocking options to reduce the number of scam calls you get.
Don’t answer unknown calls from these area codes.
While any unknown phone number can be a potential scam, certain area codes appear more commonly. If you don’t recognize a phone number with these area codes, do not answer. The caller may be trying to get personal information from you or trying to make you call an international (likely Caribbean) number and rack up costly per-minute fees. Instead, check your voicemail afterward to see if it was a legitimate caller, or Google the phone number to see if it’s associated with any known scams.
International area codes to avoid:
Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique
Domestic area codes to avoid:
If you know someone from these areas, reach out to them directly with their last known phone number, by email, or on social media to confirm if it was them who called you.
Scammers will call your phone number and hang up after the first ring to pique your curiosity and have you call the number back. These numbers are often international and come from countries that have 3-digit area codes that resemble US area codes (for example, area code 232 is from the country of Sierra Leone). If you call back, you’ll be charged fees and/or per-minute charges for calling internationally, in addition to potentially losing money or private information to the scammer.
Don’t answer or return calls from numbers you don’t recognize. Check to see if the unknown area code is international before calling back, and consider asking your phone service carrier to block outgoing international calls from your line (unless you have a legitimate need to call internationally).
Sign up for the FTC’s
National Do Not Call Registry
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) operates a database where consumers can elect not to receive telemarketing calls. This won’t stop all spam calls, but it will make them easier to identify. Most legitimate telemarketers will not contact you if you’re on the registry, meaning any unknown numbers that you see are likely to be scams.
Contact your phone service provider about scam call blocking options.
Some providers have functionalities to help identify, screen, or block scam calls from reaching your line. US carriers are already federally required to block calls with evidence of caller ID spoofing or other tampering, but they may not automatically block domestic robocalls or other scams from unchanged numbers. Contact your provider to learn about the options they offer—just be aware that these services may cost extra.
Inquire about services to stop scam texts as well, since US federal regulations about blocking scam calls do not apply to text messages.
Contact local police and your state’s consumer protection office first.
Gather all of the information related to the scam, including any phone numbers involved, and report the scam to your state’s consumer protection office (often a division of your state Attorney General’s office). If you’re not sure how to submit a complaint, search for your state’s office information using
if you lost any money, possessions, or personal information. Your local police may not be able to track down the scammer themselves, but having a report on file may support your claims to your phone service provider and other organizations like the FCC or FTC.
File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
People also ask
What time zone is 236?
How many area code 236 callersmart users are there?
Are area codes linked to a phone scam?
Aug 22, 2023 · 2. (469) 709-7630. According to reports, either the user or a loved one was mentioned by name for a failed delivery attempt under this phone number. 3. (805) 637-7243. ”It appears that scammers ...
- Gary Guthrie
The Federal Trade Commission previously linked these area codes to the scam: 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849 and 876. Bottom line: If you receive an unexpected call or text from an area code you don’t recognize, don’t answer it. Do a Google search to see where the number is registered. If it’s someone you know, they’ll call ...
Learn how to avoid the "one-ring" phone scam, where you receive a call from a number with an area code that resembles a U.S. area code, but is in fact international. Find out how to file a complaint with the FCC or FTC if you are a victim of this scam.
Mar 13, 2024 · Scam phone numbers: International Area Codes with a +1 Country Code. 232—Sierra Leone. 242 — Bahamas. 246 — Barbados. 268 — Antigua. 284 — British Virgin Islands. 345 — Cayman Islands.
