Scammer Phone Numbers You Need To Block and Ignore

How Can You Tell If a Scammer Is Calling You?

You can avoid most scam calls by ignoring unknown numbers, using your phone or a third party app’s spam-blocking tools, and adding your number to the National Do-Not-Call Registry.

Unfortunately, phone scammers are getting better at masking their true identities. Phone number spoofing and AI voice technology make it harder to guarantee that you won’t end up on the phone with a scammer. And if you do, the consequences could be severe.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

Americans reported losing nearly $950 million to phone scams in 2024 alone.

There will always be situations where you can’t simply ignore all unknown callers — for example, if you run a business or are waiting for a call back from someone. But before you answer a call, look out for some of the more obvious signs that it’s a scammer.

🤔 Can you spot common scams before it's too late? Try Aura's spot the scam quiz to test your ability to identify scammers.

{{show-toc}}

Scammer Phone Numbers and Area Codes To Ignore In 2025

Scammers are always changing the phone numbers they use to avoid being blocked by carriers and phone companies. However, there are certain area codes and even phone numbers that you should be highly suspicious of before answering.  

What area codes should you avoid answering?

Here are some of the most common country codes that scammers use to call Americans:

Note: Not all scam and spam calls come from international numbers. Scammers also regularly spoof phone numbers from domestic U.S. area codes to trick you into thinking it’s a local number calling.

According to multiple phone number lookup services, the U.S. area codes most commonly used by scammers in the past year, include:

• 202: Washington, D.C.
• 214, 346, 469, and 832: Texas
• 272: Pennsylvania
• 310: California
• 312: Illinois
• 407 and 786: Florida
• 702: Nevada‍
• 720: Colorado ‍
• 917: New York‍
• 959: Connecticut

What scam phone numbers should you avoid answering?

Any unknown phone number could be a scammer — even if your phone’s caller ID is telling you it’s a legitimate organization or government agency calling.

However, in the past year, the five most-reported scammer phone numbers were:

• (763) 274-3899
• (217) 402-1312
• (202) 456-1111
• (662) 255-3743
• (325) 244-7821

Are calls from 855, 877, and 888 numbers a scam?

No. Many legitimate businesses use phone numbers with 855, 877, and 888 prefixes to make toll-free calls to customers (similar to 1-800 numbers). For example, for customer service or support phone calls.

However, scammers may spoof these numbers to try and trick you into answering them. So, it’s always good to be careful.

💡 Related: How To Screen Calls on iPhones (6 Methods) →

How To Identify a Scammer’s Phone Number

Most cell phone providers help you identify known scam numbers by labeling calls as “Scam likely”, “Potential Spam”, or "Spam Risk" on your Caller ID.

However, scammers can easily change their phone number or register new ones to bypass basic spam blockers.

It’s unrealistic to know and block all scam and spam numbers. Instead, use these tools and tips to recognize scam callers before you pick up.

1. Screen incoming calls with an AI-powered Call Assistant

Phone scammers use Voice Over the Internet (VoIP) technology to spoof thousands of different numbers — making it impossible to identify all scam numbers.

While many mobile phone carriers offer spam-blocking tools, they can’t keep up with scammers.

Aura takes a different approach by using AI technology to answer phone calls on your behalf and speak with the caller to determine if they’re legitimate or not. You’ll receive a text transcript of who they are and what they want before deciding whether or not you want to answer.

Aura can recognize known scam numbers, common scammer language, and even block incoming scam texts with dangerous phishing links.

2. Block or silence unknown callers on your smartphone

Android and iOS phones allow you to block individual phone numbers that you know are coming from scammers. Both Apple and Android also include call-blocking features that automatically silence incoming calls from people you don’t know or suspicious phone numbers.

Here’s how to silence unknown callers on your iOS or Android phone:

On iOS devices:

• Go to Settings, and then Phone.
• Scroll down, and tap on Silence Unknown Callers.

On Android devices:

• Open the Phone app.
• Tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner, and tap on Settings.
• Tap on Caller ID & Spam in the Assistive section.
• Switch on Filter spam calls to start blocking all potential spam calls automatically.

Note: Be aware that Google's spam filtering can be oversensitive. You may need to adjust this setting if you start missing legitimate communications from trusted numbers. Another option is to turn off spam filtering and instead enable See Caller and Spam ID to manually screen calls as they come in.

3. Ask your carrier about spam-blocking tools

Most phone service providers have tools to help prevent known scam callers from contacting their customers — but they don’t always automatically provide the highest level of security.

Here are some of the more popular spam-blocking apps that you can use, depending on your carrier:

• AT&T ActiveArmor helps block spam calls and can also notify you if your data was leaked in a data breach. A free version of ActiveArmor is included on every phone plan, or you can upgrade to the premium version for $3.99/month.
• Verizon Call Filter is a free app that provides spam detection, a neighborhood filter, and the option to set allowable numbers. If you upgrade to the Call Filter Plus app for $3.99/month, you also get access to spam number lookups, a personal block list, a spam risk meter, and more.
• T-Mobile ScamShield helps block known spam numbers before you ever see the call come through. You also get a free caller ID and a second PROXY number in case you don’t want to share your private phone number. The basic app is free, or you can pay $4/month to get Scam Shield Premium — which offers additional features like texted voicemails, reverse number lookups, and categorized spam blocking.
• For landlines: Some phone providers offer tools to help block spam calls. For example, AT&T customers can block individual numbers by calling *61 or *60 after an unwanted call. T-Mobile customers can turn on scam-blocking features by dialing #662#, and then press Call.

📚 Related: How To Identify a Scammer On The Phone →

4. Check phone numbers on Google and social media

If a persistent scammer is trying to reach you by phone, you can easily block their number on your mobile device. However, before you block the number, you may be able to learn more about the scam by searching for it online.

Try using Google’s advanced search commands to learn more about the phone numbers contacting you with scams.

For example, a search for: site:reddit.com “[phone number] + scam” will return every instance of that phone number and the word “scam” on any page on Reddit. You can do the same thing for major social media websites like Facebook, as well.

Pro tip: Check online spam call communities for more information. The r/ScamNumbers subreddit has over 55,000 members who share their experience with known scam callers to help warn others.‍

5. Look out for the telltale signs of common phone scams

If you answer an unknown caller, there are specific tactics you should look out for that can warn you that you’re speaking with a scammer.

Some of the most common phone and text scams include:

• Tech support scams: Fraudsters claim that you’ve downloaded malware or been targeted by hackers — and need to give them access to your device to fix it.
• Impersonating government agencies: Scammers claim to be from known agencies, such as the IRS or FBI to pressure you into acting.
• Package delivery scams: Any automated text or call regarding a “missed” delivery could be a scam — especially if it doesn’t include specific details about your package.
• Bank account security warnings: Fraudsters impersonate your bank and claim that your debit card, credit card, or bank accounts have been compromised — and that you need to transfer your money to protect it.
• Sweepstakes or lottery scams: Beware of claims that you’ve won a prize, especially if you never entered the contest. These scammers will ask you to pay money for taxes or to “release” your winnings.
• Threats of fines or jail time: Many phone scams include threats — such as scammers impersonating law enforcement and claiming you’ve missed jury duty or have a warrant out for your arrest.
• Asking to confirm sensitive information: If someone calls you asking for your Social Security number (SSN), financial information, or any other sensitive data, it’s a scam.
• Robocalls: If you receive a pre-recorded message, it could be a scam. However, fraudsters are using AI voice technology to make these automated phone scams harder to spot.

What To Do If You Accidentally Answer a Scam Call

You can’t expect to completely avoid every phone scam on your own, but you can protect yourself by identifying and reporting scam phone calls when they happen.

If you think you accidentally answered a scam phone call, use these tips to keep yourself safe:

• Don’t give out any personal information. This includes your name and sensitive information, such as your SSN or financial details.
• Beware of calls that create a sense of urgency. As soon as you feel compelled to act, slow down and start looking for more warning signs of a scam.
• Hang up and call back using an official phone number. Legitimate callers will be OK with this and let you off the phone. Only call back using phone numbers listed on official websites — not in emails or text messages sent to you.
• Never call back strange numbers. Scammers may hang up after one ring to try and entice you to call them back.
• Block spam and scam numbers on your phone. This will prevent scammers from continuing to use this number to target you.
• Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry. This will prevent legitimate telemarketers from contacting you — but it unfortunately won’t help prevent scammers from contacting you.
• Report phone scams to the FBI and FTC. While the agencies doesn’t respond to individual complaints, your fraud report may help them target large spam and scam operations overseas. You can report fraud to the FBI online at IC3.gov and the FTC at Reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• Monitor your identity and credit. In the worst case scenarios, scam calls can lead to identity theft. If you’ve given out any personal information, it could be a good idea to sign up for identity theft protection.

Phone scams are consistently the top complaint received by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). While ignoring all unknown callers is the best way to stay safe, it’s not always an option.

Aura’s AI-powered spam call and text blocker keeps you safe from phone scams. You’ll also get access to award-winning identity and credit monitoring, digital security tools to block hackers, 24/7 U.S.-based support, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.