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

856 Area Code Scam - How to Protect Yourself
856 Area Code Scam - How to Protect Yourself

The 856 area code is a legitimate telephone area code serving southwestern New Jersey (including Camden, Cherry Hill, and Vineland). However, scammers frequently "spoof" these numbers to make fraudulent robocalls, demand fake debts, or impersonate law enforcement and family members in distress.

Common Types of 856 Scams

  • Spoofed Government or Police Calls: Fraudsters pretend to be local sheriffs or court officers claiming you missed a legal appearance or owe a fine, demanding immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers.
  • Family Emergency Hoaxes: Callers use an 856 number to claim a relative is in a crash or held hostage, demanding ransom money.
  • Fake Debt Collection: Aggressive callers claim past-due balances on utility or solar accounts, attempting to fish for personal or financial data.
  • Robocalls and Solar/Roofing Leads: Automated telemarketers use fake 856 numbers to pitch home improvement or insurance services.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Do not answer calls from unfamiliar numbers; let them leave a voicemail.
  • Never share personal information, social security numbers, or banking details over the phone.
  • Refuse requests for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
  • Block suspicious numbers directly on your phone.
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