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

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.