You’re sitting at dinner, your phone vibrates on the mahogany table, and you see a Denver-based number starting with 720. You might have friends in Aurora or family in Boulder, so you pick up. Total silence for two seconds. Then, a click. A voice—maybe it sounds like a real person, maybe it’s a high-end AI clone—starts talking about your "unpaid Xcel Energy bill" or a "suspicious Amazon purchase."
It’s annoying. It’s also dangerous.
720 area code scams aren't just a Colorado problem anymore; they've become a weaponized tool for scammers globally because the 720 prefix carries a certain level of "neighborhood trust" that older codes like 303 have lost to over-saturation.
The psychology of the 720 area code scams
Why do they keep using 720? Simple. It’s about local presence. This is technically called "neighbor spoofing." Scammers use Voice over IP (VoIP) software to display a caller ID that matches your own area code or one nearby. When you see a 720 number, your brain subconsciously flags it as a local business, a kid's school, or a neighbor. You're 400% more likely to answer a local number than a 1-800 number. Scammers know this. They bank on it.
Honestly, the sheer volume of these calls is staggering. According to data from the YouMail Robocall Index, Colorado frequently ranks in the top tier for robocall volume per capita. While the 303 area code was the original Denver staple, 720 was added in 1998 as an overlay. Because 720 is "newer" but still deeply established, it hits that sweet spot of looking legitimate without being as instantly recognizable as a "spammy" legacy code might be to some filters.
The "Grandparent" trap and social engineering
One of the most heart-wrenching versions of the 720 area code scams involves the "Grandparent Scam." The phone rings. The caller claims to be a grandson or granddaughter in trouble—maybe they got into a fender bender near Mile High Stadium or they're in a local jail. They ask for money via wire transfer or, increasingly, cryptocurrency.
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They use 720 because if the victim lives in the Denver metro area, the local number adds a layer of terrifying realism. "If they're calling from a local number, they must really be here," the victim thinks.
It's a lie.
The caller could be in a call center in another country, using a digital mask to hide their true location. They use scripts. They use emotion. They use your own kindness against you.
Specific 720 scams you need to watch for right now
Not all scams are the same. Some want your Social Security number, while others just want you to say the word "Yes" so they can authorize fraudulent charges.
- The Utility Disconnection Threat: This one is huge in the Denver area. You get a call from someone claiming to be with Xcel Energy. They tell you your power will be cut off in thirty minutes unless you pay a "past due balance" using a prepaid debit card or Zelle. Real utility companies never do this. They send multiple mailers and offer payment plans. They don't demand a Google Play gift card over the phone at 6:00 PM on a Tuesday.
- The "Can You Hear Me?" Tactic: A 720 number calls. You answer. They ask, "Can you hear me?" If you say "Yes," they record your voice. They can then use that recording to pretend you agreed to a contract or a purchase. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s a documented tactic used to bypass voice-verification security systems.
- The Jury Duty/Warrant Scam: A caller identifies as a member of the Denver Sheriff’s Department or the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. They claim there is a warrant for your arrest because you missed jury duty. To "clear it up," you have to pay a fine immediately. No law enforcement agency will ever ask for money over the phone to clear a warrant. Ever.
Technical vulnerability: Why 720?
The 720 area code covers a massive geographic footprint: Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial, and Boulder. That’s millions of potential targets. From a logistical standpoint, a scammer can buy a block of thousands of 720-prefixed virtual numbers for pennies.
Technology has made this too easy.
Back in the day, you needed physical hardware to run a phone scam. Now? All you need is a laptop and a stable internet connection. STIR/SHAKEN, a suite of protocols designed to combat caller ID spoofing, has helped, but it isn't a silver bullet. Scammers have found ways to "sign" their calls to make them appear "verified" by carriers, even when they are totally fraudulent.
How to fight back against the 720 area code scams
You don't have to be a victim. You can take control of your phone again. It starts with a mindset shift.
Stop answering unknown numbers.
If it’s important, they’ll leave a message. Period. Most automated scam systems drop the call if it goes to voicemail because it isn't worth their time to wait for the beep. If you do answer and it's a robot, hang up immediately. Don't press "1" to be removed from the list—that just confirms your number is active and "live," which makes it more valuable to scammers. They'll just sell your "active" number to five other scam groups.
Use carrier-level blocking.
Most major providers like T-Mobile (Scam Shield), Verizon (Call Filter), and AT&T (ActiveArmor) have built-in tools. They are surprisingly effective at flagging 720 area code scams before your phone even rings. Use them. They're usually free or included in your plan.
Third-party apps.
Apps like Hiya or RoboKiller maintain massive databases of reported scam numbers. When a 720 number that has been reported 500 times in the last hour tries to call you, these apps kill the connection instantly.
What to do if you’ve already been scammed
Don't be embarrassed. These people are professionals. They do this for eight hours a day, five days a week. They are experts at manipulation.
- Contact your bank: If you gave out any financial info or paid via a card, call your bank's fraud department immediately. They can freeze the account and potentially reverse the charges.
- Report to the FTC: Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps the government track patterns and shut down the digital infrastructure these scammers use.
- The Colorado Attorney General: The "Stop Fraud Colorado" initiative is a great resource. They track specific 720 area code scams targeting the Front Range and provide localized alerts.
- Freeze your credit: If you gave out your Social Security number, go to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and freeze your credit. It takes ten minutes and prevents scammers from opening new lines of credit in your name.
The future of phone fraud in Colorado
We are entering a weird era. Generative AI means scammers can now clone voices with just a few seconds of audio from your social media. Imagine a 720 call where the person sounds exactly like your sister, talking about a car wreck on I-25.
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The 720 area code scams of tomorrow won't just be about "unpaid bills." They will be about deep-fake identity theft.
The best defense is a "safe word" for your family. If someone calls from a local number claiming an emergency, ask for the safe word. If they can't provide it, it's a scam. It sounds paranoid until it happens to you.
Actionable steps to protect your phone today
Don't wait for the next call. Take these steps now to minimize your risk:
- Check your "Silence Unknown Callers" setting: If you have an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. Android has similar features in the Phone app under "Spam and Call Screen."
- Audit your digital footprint: Scammers get your name and 720 number from data breaches. Use a service like Have I Been Pwned to see where your data has leaked.
- Update your voicemail greeting: Don't use your full name in your greeting. A simple "You've reached [Phone Number], leave a message" is safer. Scammers use your recorded name to "verify" they have the right person.
- Report every scam call: It feels like shouting into the void, but reporting these numbers to your carrier (usually by forwarding the number to 7726) helps the filters get smarter for everyone.
The 720 area code scams rely on your sense of community and local trust. By staying skeptical and using the tools available, you turn your phone back into a tool for communication instead of a portal for theft. Stay sharp.