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

501 Area Code Scam Texts and Calls - How to Protect Yourself
501 Area Code Scam Texts and Calls - How to Protect Yourself

501 area code scams involve scammers using Arkansas-based, spoofed, or VoIP numbers to conduct phishing, smishing (text scams), and impostor fraud. They often pose as government officials (Department of Justice) or offer fake prizes/trips to steal personal information and money. Do not answer or return calls from unknown 501 numbers; block them immediately.

501 Area Code Scams

  • Imposter Scams: Callers pretend to be local police or federal agents, threatening arrest or seizure of funds to steal savings.
  • Phishing/Smishing Texts: Messages like "Hello" or fake, urgent alerts (e.g., missed payments) are sent to confirm your number is active.
  • Prize/Vacation Scams: Automated messages claiming you won a trip to places like Orlando or a reward card.
  • "Wrong Number" Routine: Scammers send a text pretending to be someone else to gain trust.

Protect Yourself

  • Do Not Reply: Do not respond to texts from unknown numbers, even to say "stop".
  • Hang Up: If you receive a call, do not share personal or financial information.
  • Verify Independently: If a claim sounds urgent (e.g., a "missed payment"), contact the agency directly through an official website.
  • Block and Report: Use your phone's built-in features to block the number and report it as junk/spam.
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