INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is offering information to help Hoosiers avoid phone scams. He urges residents to recognize and avoid certain area codes and phone numbers commonly used by scammers.
Some scammers are able to use area codes such as “000” or “123.” The Washington D.C. area code is “202” and if you aren’t expecting a call that would originate from there it’s likely a scam.
Area code “876” is from Jamaica and unless you have family or friends there be cautious if you accept a call. Indiana residents have filed more than 1,500 complaints about sweepstakes scams from this area code over the last year. For more information about Jamaican scammers go online to consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0119-jamaican-fraudsters-targeting-us-consumers.
Because of the ability to “spoof” the number you’re calling from, be careful when answering a call from an unfamiliar number. Also, if “card services” or “home security” appears on your caller ID, it could be a robocall or a scam.
Officials urge Hoosiers to add their information to the Do Not Call list. You can sign up online at in.gov/attorneygeneral/2336.htm.
