North Dakotans! Don’t Answer Calls From These Area Codes.

Going over your minutes and telemarketers have given way to scumbag scammers. Here are the most common area codes that belong to scams.

• 268 Area Code
  This area code is associated with Antigua and Barbuda, but is also known to be used by scammers in various types of fraud.
• 876 Area Code
  This area code is associated with Jamaica, but is also known to be used by scammers in various types of fraud, such as lottery scams, work-at-home scams, and more.
• 473 Area Code
  This area code is associated with Grenada and Carriacou, but is also known to be used by scammers in various types of fraud.
• 649 Area Code
  This area code is associated with the Turks and Caicos Islands, but is also known to be used by scammers in various types of fraud.
• 284 Area Code
  This area code is associated with the British Virgin Islands, but is also known to be used by scammers in various types of fraud.

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The FCC also has some advice for North Dakotan's to help protect themself from unwanted phone harassment and scam calls.

• Don't answer calls numbers that you do not know. If you do accidently answer, hang up.
• You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Sometimes if you miss a call from a local number and call back, they will tell you they did not call anyone.  That persons phone number was being "spoofed" by a scammer to look somewhat familiar, or at least from North Dakota.
• If you answer the phone and are asked to hit a button, hang up. Scammers use these tricks to identify targets or to get you to agree to something unwittingly.
• Do not respond to any questions, scammers can use any affirmative answer to opt you in to their scam, or have a recording of you answering affirmatively
• Never give out your Social Security numbers, mother's maiden names, pin numbers, passwords, or any other sensitive information.
• If you get an inquiry from someone saying they are a company or with the government.  Hang up and look up a direct number to that entity and call back directly.
• If you feel like you are being pressured for information, hang up.
• Set a password to your voicemail if you have the options..

These aren't the only area codes to be on the lookout for, there are plenty more which you can check out here. The FCC says simply shouldn't answer any from the five above. You can silence from some of the telephone predators by signing up to the national do not call registry at www.donotcall.gov