986 Area Code Scam - How to Protect Yourself

Common 986 Scams

• "Mirror Spoofing" / Your Own Number: Scammers make the caller ID display your exact phone number, or one digit off, using the 986 code. This is a psychological trick designed to make you curious enough to pick up.
• Impersonating Law Enforcement: Scammers spoof official numbers—like the Idaho State Police or local Sheriff's offices—claiming there is a warrant for your arrest, a legal fine, or a relative in distress that requires immediate payment.
• "Wrong Number" Text Scams: You may receive a casual text message like "Are you busy tomorrow?" or "U at home?". If you reply, they try to move the conversation to WhatsApp to pitch fraudulent investments.
• Robocalls and Account Issues: Automated calls claiming to be from carriers like AT&T or Verizon falsely stating there is a problem with your account to harvest personal details.

How to Protect Yourself

• Let it go to voicemail: If you do not recognize the number, do not answer. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
• Never use caller ID to verify identity: Scammers can make a call look like it is coming from a local police department, bank, or government agency.
• Hang up and call back directly: If a caller claims to be from an official organization, hang up immediately. Look up the organization’s public, official phone number independently and call them back to verify.
• Do not reply to strange texts: Replying to a scam text, even to say "wrong number," alerts the scammers that your number is active, which will lead to more spam. You can forward spam texts directly to 7726 (SPAM).

If you have already shared financial information or sent money to a caller, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. You can report suspicious calls and fraud directly to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.