Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Area Code 406 Scam Calls and Arrest

Apr 9, 2021 2021-04-09T23:24:42-05:00
Mar 14, 2026 2026-03-14T09:02:46-05:00

Scammers are using telephone numbers from area code 406(Montana) to contact potential victims. The scammers contact their potential victims via robocalls threatening arrest or legal action and then ask them for personal and financial information to resolve the issue. If the requested information is given to the scammers, they will use it fraudulently.

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Therefore, if you receive phone calls from 406 area code telephone numbers requesting personal information, hang up. Do not give your personal information to someone who calls, emails, or texts you. It could be a scammer trying to steal your information.

Some organizations may need your Social Security number to identify you. Those organizations include the IRS, your bank, and your employer. Organizations like these that do need your Social Security number won’t call, email, or text you to ask for it.

Other organizations that might ask you for your Social Security number might not really need it. Those organizations include a medical provider, a company, or your child’s school. Ask these questions before you give them your Social Security number:

Why do you need it?
How will you protect it?
Can you use a different identifier?
Can you use just the last four digits of my Social Security number?

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Comments, Answers or Questions

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Comment count 3

Mar 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM by info

Fraudsters pose as the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office or other local police, threatening immediate arrest for missing jury duty or "federal grand jury" appearances unless a "fine" is paid via gift cards or wire transfers.

Some scams spoof legitimate numbers, such as Verizon’s customer service, to ask for personal account details.

"Hello" or "How are you?" texts from unknown 406 numbers are often used to confirm your number is active or to lure you into "pig butchering" investment scams.

Mar 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM by info

Scammers pretend to be from the Social Security Administration, IRS, or Department of Labor. They often claim your account is compromised or you owe money for unpaid taxes or unemployment fraud.

Mar 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM by info

While the 406 area code is the legitimate and only area code for the entire state of Montana, it is frequently used by scammers through caller ID spoofing to trick people into answering. Because it is a local code for Montanans, victims are more likely to trust the call, thinking it is a neighbor, local business, or government agency.

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