The 213 area code covers parts of Los Angeles, California, so if you’re receiving calls from numbers with this area code, especially from unknown or suspicious sources, it’s possible you could be dealing with scams.
The scams associated with the 213 area code often include:
“Wrong Number” Text Scams (The “Hello” Scam):
- This is one of the most common complaints. Scammers send a text starting with a friendly, casual message (like “Yo,” “Hi, how are you?,” or “Did you get my email?”) often pretending to have the wrong number or asking about a project/music/dog. If you reply, they try to start a conversation, eventually leading to a pitch for:
- Cryptocurrency/Investment Scams: The conversation will slowly pivot to them discussing their amazing investment success and trying to get you to send them money or access a fraudulent trading platform (a type of “pig butchering” scam).
- “Meet Me” Scams: They may try to get you to move the conversation to an unsecure platform (like WhatsApp or FaceTime) and encourage you to send inappropriate photos, which they then use for blackmail.
- This is one of the most common complaints. Scammers send a text starting with a friendly, casual message (like “Yo,” “Hi, how are you?,” or “Did you get my email?”) often pretending to have the wrong number or asking about a project/music/dog. If you reply, they try to start a conversation, eventually leading to a pitch for:
Imposter Scams:
- Calls claiming to be from a well-known local company, a government agency, or a tech support service. Since 213 is a major city area code, they leverage the trust people have in professional-looking numbers.
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Here’s a breakdown of what to watch out for and how to protect yourself:
Common Types of 213 Area Code Scams:
Impersonation Scams:
IRS Scams: Scammers often pose as IRS agents claiming you owe back taxes and demand payment immediately, usually in the form of gift cards or wire transfers. They may call from a 213 number to seem more legitimate.
Law Enforcement or Legal Threats: These scammers claim to be from the Los Angeles Police Department or some other legal authority, threatening arrest or legal action unless you pay up. They may ask for payment over the phone or send emails claiming you’ve missed a court date.
Bank or Credit Card Scams: Scammers may claim to be from your bank or credit card company, stating there are issues with your account and asking for personal information, PINs, or passwords.
Fake Prize or Sweepstakes:
Calls claiming you’ve won a large sum of money, a car, or some other prize. In these scams, they may ask you to pay taxes or fees upfront to “claim your prize.”
Fake Charity Calls: Scammers may pose as charity organizations or disaster relief groups, claiming they’re raising funds for a worthy cause in your area (like Los Angeles). They’ll ask for donations, but the money will go straight into their pockets.
Tech Support Scams:
Scammers claiming to be from Microsoft or other tech companies, stating there’s an issue with your computer and they need remote access to fix it. They may claim to be calling from Los Angeles to appear legitimate, and once they have access, they might install malware or ask for payment to “fix” non-existent issues.
Debt Collection Scams:
Fraudsters posing as debt collectors from local companies or government agencies. They’ll claim you owe money and threaten to report you to the authorities unless you make an immediate payment.
“Neighbor Spoofing” Scams:
Scammers can manipulate caller ID to make it appear that they are calling from a local 213 area code number, even though it’s coming from a different location or even overseas. This tactic is designed to make the call seem more familiar and trustworthy.
How to Spot and Protect Yourself From 213 Area Code Scams:
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls:
If you receive an unexpected call from a 213 area code and the caller asks for personal information or payment, be cautious. Legitimate companies, especially government agencies, will not call asking for sensitive information or immediate payment.
Do Not Provide Personal Information:
Never give out your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords over the phone. Legitimate organizations will never ask for this type of information in an unsolicited call.
Verify the Caller:
If the caller claims to be from a company or government agency, hang up and call the organization directly using a verified phone number (not the one they provide). For example, if it’s the IRS, call the official IRS phone number listed on their website.
Check for Red Flags:
Scammers often use high-pressure tactics like threatening arrest, legal action, or immediate disconnection of services if you don’t pay. Any urgent demand for payment or secrecy is a red flag.
Use Call Blocking or Screening:
Many smartphones now have built-in call-blocking features to filter out known scam numbers. You can also use third-party apps like Hiya, Truecaller, or Nomorobo to block robocalls or known scam numbers.
You can also report suspicious calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Report Scammers:
If you’ve received a suspicious call from a 213 number, you can report it to:
Look Up the Number:
If you’re uncertain whether a call is legitimate, you can look up the number online to see if other people have reported it as a scam. Websites like WhoCallsMe or 800Notes can help identify known scam numbers.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Fallen for a Scam:
If you’ve already shared personal information or made a payment to someone who contacted you from a 213 area code, take action immediately:
Report it to your bank or credit card company.
Freeze your credit with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Contact the authorities if you’ve been threatened or if the scam involves serious financial loss.
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