Your phone vibrates. You glance down and see a 571 area code. Since you live in Arlington, or maybe you have a cousin in Alexandria, you pick up. It's a natural reaction. But then there’s that weird, hollow silence for two seconds before a robotic voice starts talking about your "Social Security number being suspended."
That’s the hook.
It's called neighbor spoofing. Scammers aren't actually sitting in a Fairfax coffee shop; they’re likely thousands of miles away using VoIP software to hijack local credibility. Area code 571 scams work because Northern Virginia is a high-trust, high-activity hub. It’s the home of the Pentagon, Amazon’s HQ2, and countless government contractors. When a 571 number calls, people expect it to be important. Scammers know this. They bank on it.
The psychology behind the 571 prefix
The 571 area code was created in 2000 as an overlay for 703. It covers the heavy hitters: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Loudoun County. Because so many government agencies and federal employees operate here, a call from this area code carries a certain "official" weight that a random call from a 305 or 213 code just doesn't have.
If you get a call from 571, your brain subconsciously thinks Bureaucracy. Or Work.
Scammers use "Local Presence" dialing tools. These programs automatically scan your own area code and match the outgoing Caller ID to look like a neighbor. It’s psychological warfare. You’re 70% more likely to answer a local number than a toll-free one. Once you pick up, the scammer has already won the first round. They know your line is active. They know you’re willing to talk. Even if you hang up immediately, your number is now marked as "high value" in a database sold on the dark web.
The "Federal Agent" and "Legal Action" pivots
Most area code 571 scams follow a predictable, yet terrifying, script. Given the proximity to D.C., the "Government Impersonation" scam is king here.
I’ve heard recordings where the scammer claims to be from the "Legal Department of the Social Security Administration." They use 571 to make the Caller ID look like it's coming from their "local field office" in Virginia. They’ll tell you your SSN was found in a ditched car in Texas full of cocaine. It sounds ridiculous when you read it on a screen. But when a stern voice is barking at you over a "local" line at 9:00 AM, panic sets in.
Then there’s the "Officer Miller" routine.
A scammer calls from a 571 number claiming to be with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. They say you missed jury duty. They tell you there’s an active warrant for your arrest. The "fix"? You have to pay a "bond" immediately via a digital payment app or—laughably—gift cards. Real police don't take payment in Apple Gift cards. Ever. But the 571 prefix buys them enough time to scare you into staying on the line.
Why technology is failing to stop the surge
You’d think with all our tech, we’d have fixed this. We haven't.
STIR/SHAKEN is the protocol the FCC pushed to stop caller ID spoofing. It’s basically a digital certificate that says, "Yes, this caller actually owns this number." While it’s helped, it isn't a silver bullet. Scammers have found ways to "rent" legitimate 571 numbers through fly-by-night VoIP providers that don't vet their clients.
The calls keep coming because they’re nearly free to make. A robocalling server can blast out 10,000 calls a minute for pennies. If even one person in Manassas falls for a $2,000 wire transfer scam, the entire operation is profitable for a month.
Common variations of 571-based fraud:
- The Amazon Verification Scam: You get a call saying a $1,400 Macbook was ordered on your account. They need you to "verify" your details to cancel it.
- The Utility Cut-off: Especially common in the winter. They claim to be Dominion Energy and threaten to cut your power in two hours if a "past due" balance isn't paid.
- The Grandparent Scam: "Hey Grandma, it's me. I'm in jail in Fairfax and need bail money." They use the 571 code to make it look like the "grandchild" is actually in the local area.
Spotting the red flags before you say "Hello"
Honestly, the best defense is being a bit of a cynic.
If you aren't expecting a call, let it go to voicemail. Real government agencies—the IRS, SSA, or the FBI—will almost never call you out of the blue to demand money. They use the U.S. Mail. It's slow, it's boring, and it's official.
Another huge red flag? Sense of urgency.
Scammers need you to stay in a state of high emotion. They want you "under the ether." If the person on the other end of a 571 call is telling you that you must act within the next thirty minutes or "the police will be at your door," it’s a scam. Guaranteed. Real legal processes take weeks, not minutes.
Also, listen for the "Joiner." That’s the click or beep right after you say "Hello." That is the sound of an automated dialer connecting you to a live "closer" once it detects a human voice. If you hear that click, just hang up. Don't say "Take me off your list." Don't scream. Just click the red button.
What to do if you’ve already been targeted
If you gave them information, don't beat yourself up. These people are professionals. They do this 40 hours a week. They are experts at manipulating human fear.
First, if you gave out financial info, call your bank. Now. Not in an hour. Tell them you’ve been a victim of a spoofing scam. They can freeze your accounts and issue new cards.
Second, report the specific 571 number to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. While the number is likely spoofed, the FTC uses the data to track patterns and pressure telecom carriers to block certain gateways. You can also report it to the FCC if you’re getting bombarded with robocalls despite being on the Do Not Call Registry.
Third, check your "Recently Deleted" or "Spam" folders on your phone. Most modern iPhones and Androids have built-in "Silence Unknown Callers" features. Turn them on. It’s a life-changer. It sends any number not in your contacts straight to voicemail. If it’s actually your doctor in Reston, they’ll leave a message.
Moving forward and staying safe
The 571 area code isn't "bad." It’s just a tool that's being exploited because of the prestige and location it represents.
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Stay vigilant about your digital footprint. Scammers often get your "local" context from data breaches or even social media posts where you’ve "checked in" at local Virginia landmarks. The more they know about you, the more convincing the 571 call becomes.
Immediate steps you should take:
- Enable "Silence Unknown Callers" in your phone settings.
- Install a third-party blocking app like Hiya or Robokiller, which use massive databases to flag 571 numbers known for fraud.
- Never verify your Social Security number or birthdate to anyone who called you.
- If a caller claims to be from a local business or agency, hang up and call the official number found on a verified website or your paper bill.
Don't let a three-digit prefix trick you into handing over your life savings. Northern Virginia is a busy place, but no one is too busy to verify who is actually on the other end of the line. Your silence is your best defense. Once you stop answering, the scammers eventually move on to a "fresher" target. Keep your guard up and your "End Call" finger ready.