Key Findings
Maryland sits in the crosshairs of government impersonation scams due to its proximity to Washington, DC. ScamVerify™ analysis of 9.7 million FTC phone complaint records reveals 170,624 complaints from 64,369 unique scam numbers across 5 Maryland area codes. The state ranks 16th nationally but top 5 per capita for fraud at 1,428 reports per 100,000 residents (FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024), with $164.3 million in total losses.
Maryland's most significant recent development is the FBI dismantling of an international call center ring that originated from Montgomery County complaints. In February 2026, the FBI Baltimore field office announced 8 domestic arrests and 6 arrests in India through CBI cooperation. The operation victimized 660 people with losses totaling $48.78 million nationally and $6.2 million from Maryland alone. The scammers posed as DEA, FBI, and Social Security Administration officials. Two Maryland area codes (240 at #45 and 301 at #59) overlap with the DC metro, extending the 202 government impersonation pattern into Maryland's suburbs.
All 5 Maryland Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per # | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 240 | MD (overlay, DC suburbs) | 15,821 | 42,882 | 2.7 | 52.9% | #45 |
| 2 | 301 | MD (DC suburbs) | 16,143 | 40,825 | 2.5 | 78.6% | #59 |
| 3 | 410 | Baltimore | 13,180 | 35,024 | 2.7 | 79.2% | #96 |
| 4 | 443 | Baltimore (overlay) | 13,023 | 34,612 | 2.7 | 63.7% | #100 |
| 5 | 667 | Baltimore (overlay) | 6,202 | 17,281 | 2.8 | 55.7% | #242 |
| Total | 64,369 | 170,624 | 2.7 avg | 66.0% avg |
Maryland averages 2.7 complaints per number, above the national average of 2.5, indicating scammers reuse Maryland numbers more aggressively. The 667 Baltimore overlay reaches 2.8 per number, the highest in the state.
DC Suburbs: The Government Impersonation Extension
Maryland's DC-area codes (240 and 301) are effectively extensions of the 202 DC government impersonation ecosystem.
| Area Code | Region | Complaints | In-State % | #1 Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | DC suburbs (overlay) | 42,882 | 52.9% | Debt reduction (4,951) |
| 301 | DC suburbs | 40,825 | 78.6% | Medical (3,866) |
| DC Suburbs Total | 83,707 |
The DC suburb codes generate 83,707 complaints, 49% of the state total. The 240 overlay has lower in-state targeting (52.9%) and leads with debt reduction (4,951 at 83.9% robocall rate), indicating it is used for nationwide automated campaigns. The established 301 has 78.6% in-state targeting with medical as its top category, reflecting effective neighbor spoofing against Maryland residents.
The $48.78 million India call center ring dismantled in February 2026 specifically targeted Montgomery County (served by 240/301) residents with federal agency impersonation. The scammers posed as DEA and FBI agents, demanding payment to avoid arrest.
Baltimore: Three Codes, 86,917 Complaints
| Area Code | Region | Complaints | In-State % | #1 Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 410 | Baltimore | 35,024 | 79.2% | Impersonation (2,500) |
| 443 | Baltimore (overlay) | 34,612 | 63.7% | Impersonation (3,050) |
| 667 | Baltimore (newest overlay) | 17,281 | 55.7% | Debt reduction (2,021) |
| Baltimore Total | 86,917 |
Baltimore's three codes generate 86,917 complaints (51% of the state total). The established 410 has the highest in-state targeting (79.2%), while the newest overlay 667 drops to 55.7% with debt reduction as its top category (2,021 at 79.5% robocall rate).
BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric) impersonation is a persistent Baltimore-area threat. Scammers use spoofed BGE numbers and threaten immediate disconnection via phone, with payment demanded through Cash App, Zelle, Venmo, or QR codes linked to crypto banks. BGE itself had 600+ PSC complaints about customer service, creating confusion that scammers exploit.
Maryland's Scam Category Profile
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government/business impersonation | 14,604 | 57.3% |
| 2 | Debt reduction | 11,729 | 77.7% |
| 3 | Medical and prescriptions | 11,442 | 54.2% |
| 4 | Warranties and protection plans | 2,874 | 64.6% |
| 5 | Home improvement and cleaning | 2,704 | 42.7% |
| 6 | Energy, solar, and utilities | 2,223 | 41.8% |
| 7 | Charities | 2,127 | 51.5% |
| 8 | Vacation and timeshares | 725 | 35.4% |
The top three categories are tightly clustered (14,604 / 11,729 / 11,442), unlike states where a single category dominates. Home improvement (2,704) and charities (2,127) are both elevated relative to Maryland's total volume. The 57.3% robocall rate for impersonation means nearly half use live operators, consistent with the sophisticated federal agency impersonation calls documented in the Montgomery County investigation.
In April 2026, the Maryland Judiciary warned about scam texts referencing judges' names and directing recipients to Baltimore City District Court to pay fake parking/toll violations. Maryland State Police issued a separate warning in March 2026 about scammers posing as state police officers.
Top 10 Most Reported Maryland Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (240) 512-5023 | 208 | Dropped calls, charities |
| 2 | (667) 255-0649 | 202 | Mixed |
| 3 | (301) 241-6651 | 186 | Dropped calls, medical |
| 4 | (240) 713-3466 | 180 | Dropped calls, charities |
| 5 | (443) 920-7834 | 159 | Mixed |
| 6 | (240) 673-2163 | 142 | Medical (37.3%) |
| 7 | (410) 965-1234 | 120 | Impersonation (54.2%) |
| 8 | (301) 881-3052 | 111 | Charities, mixed |
| 9 | (240) 368-2864 | 97 | Home improvement |
| 10 | (667) 930-0850 | 96 | Mixed |
(410) 965-1234 is a government impersonation line with 65 of 120 complaints (54.2%) for impersonation, consistent with the Baltimore-area federal agency spoofing pattern. (240) 673-2163 from the DC suburbs targets medical scam victims with 53 of 142 complaints for medical and prescriptions. Multiple numbers show elevated charities complaints (#1 with 24, #4 with 22, #8 with 21), suggesting an active charity fraud operation in Maryland.
The $48.78 Million India Call Center Takedown
In February 2026, the FBI Baltimore field office announced the results of a joint investigation with Montgomery County Police and the Montgomery County State's Attorney:
- 660 victims nationally, $6.2 million from Maryland alone
- $48.78 million in total losses
- 8 domestic arrests in Montgomery County, 6 convictions
- 6 arrests in India through CBI cooperation
- Scammers posed as DEA, FBI, and SSA officials
- Used spoofed 202, 240, and 301 numbers to display federal agency caller IDs
This case illustrates why Maryland's DC-area codes are especially dangerous: callers using 240/301 numbers combined with federal agency claims create a dual-authority signal that is nearly impossible to distinguish from legitimate government communications over the phone.
Neighbor Spoofing: DC Suburbs vs. Baltimore
| Highest In-State | % | Lowest In-State | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 410 Baltimore | 79.2% | 240 DC suburbs overlay | 52.9% |
| 301 DC suburbs | 78.6% | 667 Baltimore overlay | 55.7% |
| 443 Baltimore overlay | 63.7% |
Established codes (410, 301) average 78.9% in-state, while overlay codes (240, 667) average 54.3%. The 24.6-point gap is the widest of any state in our series, reflecting how aggressively overlay codes are exploited for out-of-state campaigns.
Maryland vs. Other States
| State | Area Codes | Complaints | Per # Avg | Fraud Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 9 | 261,447 | 2.6 | High |
| Virginia | 7 | 245,565 | 2.6 | N/A |
| Maryland | 5 | 170,624 | 2.7 | Top 5 (1,428/100K) |
| Colorado | 4 | 149,471 | 2.5 | N/A |
Maryland's 2.7 average complaints per number is the highest of any state in our series, indicating scammers extract more complaints per number before cycling. With only 5 area codes generating 170,624 complaints, Maryland averages 34,125 per code, higher than Pennsylvania (27,356) and comparable to Florida (34,597).
AG Anthony Brown's office launched an enforcement-focused 2026 agenda, including the Consumer Protection Division's largest-ever landlord-tenant settlement at $11 million+. For the DC government impersonation context that extends into Maryland's 240/301 area codes, see ScamVerify's 202 Area Code Deep Dive and Virginia Phone Scam Report.
What Marylanders Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back. Maryland has 64,369 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the MD AG at oag.maryland.gov or 410-528-8662.
- Federal agencies never call to demand payment. The $48.78M India call center ring posed as DEA, FBI, and SSA. No federal agency calls to threaten arrest or demand payment. Hang up and contact the agency directly.
- Verify BGE communications directly. BGE never threatens disconnection by phone or demands payment through apps. Call BGE at 1-800-685-0123.
- Watch for Maryland Judiciary impersonation. In April 2026, scammers sent texts referencing judges' names and Baltimore City District Court. Maryland courts never contact people by text to collect fines.
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FAQ
Why is Maryland in the top 5 for fraud per capita?
Maryland has 1,428 fraud reports per 100,000 residents (FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024), placing it in the top 5 nationally. Three factors drive this. First, the DC suburb area codes (240/301) receive government impersonation scams at elevated rates due to their association with federal agencies. Second, Baltimore's three area codes generate 86,917 complaints with active BGE and law enforcement impersonation campaigns. Third, Maryland's $164.3 million in total fraud losses reflects a high-income population that loses more per incident.
What was the India call center ring that targeted Maryland?
In February 2026, the FBI dismantled an international call center operation originating from Montgomery County complaints. The ring victimized 660 people with $48.78 million in total losses ($6.2 million from Maryland). Scammers in India posed as DEA, FBI, and SSA officials using spoofed 202, 240, and 301 numbers. Eight people were arrested in Montgomery County with 6 convictions. India's CBI arrested 6 additional nationals through international cooperation.
How do Maryland's DC suburb area codes connect to government impersonation?
Area codes 240 and 301 serve Maryland's DC suburbs (Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick counties). Combined with 202 DC, these three area codes form a government impersonation corridor. A call from 240 or 301 carries the same implicit federal authority as a 202 call. For the full DC analysis, see ScamVerify's 202 Area Code Deep Dive.
What types of scams target Marylanders the most?
Government/business impersonation leads with 14,604 complaints (57.3% robocall rate), followed by debt reduction at 11,729 (77.7%) and medical at 11,442 (54.2%). Home improvement (2,704) and charities (2,127) are both elevated. Multiple top phone numbers show unusual charity fraud activity.
How do I report a scam call in Maryland?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Maryland AG at oag.maryland.gov or 410-528-8662. For federal agency impersonation, also report to the FBI at ic3.gov. Maryland State Police accept reports about law enforcement impersonation at mdsp.maryland.gov.
