Beware: If You See These 5 Area Codes in Iowa, Don't Answer!

We've all gotten them before... a call on our cell phone with a number we've never seen, emitting from an area code we can't identify.

Sometimes, it is possible it's not a spam call. Could be a business you work with, or an insurance company or something. But, far more often, it's spam or worse, a scam caller trying to get something, likely money, from you.

Be Warned: Scam Calls Often Come From These Area Codes

In Iowa, we're used to the same few area codes. 319, 563, or 515, right? So, when you see a caller using an area code that isn't one of those, you may be a tad leery about answering. For good reason, too.

Even if you're on the National Do Not Call List, scammers can sneak though.

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Scammers seem to gravitate towards the

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

These area codes have become synonymous with spammers, and a big thanks to Meatball working with one of our sister stations in Michigan for the list.

202 - Washington D.C.

Our nation's capital, and certainly an area with a huge populous. Unless you know someone, like say a U.S. Senator, avoid a call from a 202 number.

214 - Dallas Texas

Large companies call Dallas home. AT&T and JPMorgan Chase. For example. Also, Southwest and American Airlines. It's possible someone from one of these businesses will contact you. Outside of that, no need to answer a call from a 214 number.

310 - Beverly Hills, California

We all know Beverly Hills is usually associated with Hollywood and a ritzy lifestyle. Keep yours ritzier by ignoring calls from a 310 number. Unless of course, you have an agent...

407 - Orlando, Florida

Another very populous city and, a very common one for spammers. Avoid a 407 call. It's not Micky offering you a trip to Disney World. I can promise you that.

702 - Las Vegas, Nevada

Your lucky numbers are not 7-0-2 sadly. Just a friendly Vegas spammer is all. Sorry.

Hopefully, you are left alone more often than not, and hopefully, you have never fallen for a phone scammer.

8 Things To Do If You Paid A Phone Scammer

Merciless phone scammers are targeting unaware folks with schemes involving pleas for charity, car warranties, unpaid traffic tickets, you name it. The Federal Trade Commission says, "Scammers often ask you to pay in ways that make it tough to get your money back. No matter what payment method you used to pay, the sooner you act, the better."

If you have paid one of these scammers and then realize you have been scammed, here are 8 tips from the Federal Trade Commission, on what to do if you have paid a scammer.

Gallery Credit: Brad Carpenter/Federal Trade Commission/Canva

The Highest-Rated Restaurants in Iowa City on Yelp (August 2024)

The next time you're looking for a good meal in Johnson County, you may want to check out one of these awesome restaurants! Here are 15 of the top-rated restaurants in the Iowa City/Coralville area according to Yelp in August of 2024:

Gallery Credit: Courtlin