Scam calls from 978 numbers

Patterns documented by FTC/FCC · numbering data as of July 28, 2026.

Scam calls that display a Lowell-area 978 number usually do not originate there. Spoofing lets a caller present any digits, and 978, with its 773 active prefixes, offers plenty of plausible-looking combinations. Below are the documented schemes most commonly reported behind local-looking calls.

Note that Lowell numbers may also show overlay codes 351 — a scammer rotating through the 351/978 complex still looks "local".

Reporting matters — FTC and FCC complaints are aggregated into enforcement actions against robocall operations.

Documented patterns behind 978-looking calls

Amazon / big-brand imposter robocall

A robocall claims a large purchase or suspicious activity on your Amazon (or other retailer) account and asks you to 'press 1' to dispute it, connecting you to an agent who harvests card and login data.

Signs: recording about an order you never placed; transfer to an 'agent' who asks for card numbers or remote access. Full pattern →

Caller ID spoofing

The caller deliberately falsifies the number shown on your caller ID display to disguise their identity, often imitating a local number, a government agency, or a well-known company.

Signs: the displayed number looks local or familiar, but the caller is a stranger or a recording; a callback to the displayed number reaches someone who never called you. Full pattern →

Neighbor spoofing

A form of caller ID spoofing in which the falsified number matches your own area code and often your NXX prefix, so the call appears to come from a nearby household and feels safe to answer.

Signs: the incoming number shares your area code and first three digits of your local number; answering leads to a robocall, silence, or a sales/scam pitch. Full pattern →

One-ring (Wangiri) callback scam

Your phone rings once and stops. The scammer hopes curiosity makes you call back a number that routes to an international premium-rate line, generating per-minute charges that are shared with the scammer.

Signs: a missed call that rang only once, often late at night; repeated one-ring calls from the same or similar numbers. Full pattern →

IRS impersonation

A caller claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service, says you owe back taxes, and threatens arrest, deportation, or license revocation unless you pay immediately — typically by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

Signs: demands for immediate payment by gift card, prepaid debit card, wire, or crypto; threats of arrest or lawsuits for unpaid taxes. Full pattern →

Reporting channels

• FTC ReportFraud
• FTC Do Not Call Registry
• FCC Consumer Complaint Center

FAQ

Are all calls from 978 numbers scams?

No — 773 real prefixes serve Lowell subscribers. The point is that the displayed code alone proves nothing either way; judge the call's content and verify independently.

Can I block the whole 978 area code?

Some phones and carrier apps allow prefix-based blocking, but scammers rotate codes (including overlays 351), so blanket blocking mostly costs you legitimate calls. Silencing unknown callers works better.

Where do I report a scam call from a 978 number?

File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (fraud and losses) and the FCC Consumer Complaint Center (spoofing and robocalls). Include the displayed number, date and what was said.