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

557 Area Code Scam - Protect Yourself
557 Area Code Scam - Protect Yourself

The 557 area code is a relatively new overlay for the St. Louis, Missouri area, but it is frequently used by scammers for caller ID spoofing to make calls look legitimate or "local".

Common 557 Scams

  • "One-Ring" Scam: You get a call that hangs up after a single ring. Scammers hope you call back, which can connect you to expensive international lines or "traffic pumping" schemes that charge high per-minute fees.
  • Spoofing Authority: Callers may pretend to be from the St. Louis Police Department, the IRS, or a bank (like Wells Fargo) to demand immediate payment for "unpaid fines" or "tax issues".
  • Wrong Number Text Scam: You receive a "friendly" text like "Hello" or "How are you?" intended for someone else. Replying confirms your number is active, leading to more spam or attempts to build trust for a future scam.
  • Service & Subscription Scams: Some 557 calls have been reported as automated messages claiming your Xfinity or T-Mobile subscription is about to expire, even if you don't use those services.

How to Stay Safe

  • Don't Call Back: If you don't recognize a 557 number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
  • Never Use Provided Links: If you get a text about an "unpaid citation" or "account issue," do not click the link. Check the official agency's website instead.
  • Verified Short Codes: Note that Wells Fargo uses a verified short code (93557) for official texts; if you get a message from a full 10-digit 557 number claiming to be them, it is likely a scam.
  • Use Screening Tools: Use features like Truecaller or YouMail to check if a specific number has been reported for fraud.
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