Key Findings
Oregon completes the West Coast scam corridor (California, Washington, Oregon) with 93,766 FTC complaints from 40,213 unique scam numbers across 4 area codes. ScamVerify™ analysis reveals Oregon has the widest in-state targeting gap of any state in our full series: Portland's 503 has 80.3% in-state targeting (the highest of any area code in this batch) while the 458 overlay has just 30.3% (the lowest of any area code in this batch). That 50-point gap exposes two completely different scam ecosystems operating through Oregon numbers.
Impersonation leads statewide at 9,257 complaints (68.7% robocall rate), followed by medical at 7,870 and debt at 7,129. Oregon has elevated vacation and timeshare scams at 1,176 and home improvement at 1,123 (41.6% robocall), reflecting the state's tourism economy and expensive housing market (Portland median home value exceeds $475,000). Warranties rank #4 at 3,175 with a 78.4% robocall rate, the highest automated rate of any Oregon category. The state's top phone number, (503) 722-2343, has 213 complaints at 100% debt reduction concentration.
All 4 Oregon Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per # | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 503 | Portland | 13,368 | 31,297 | 2.3 | 80.3% | #153 |
| 2 | 541 | Southern / Central OR | 13,505 | 29,815 | 2.2 | 67.9% | #165 |
| 3 | 971 | Portland (overlay) | 7,205 | 17,629 | 2.4 | 60.7% | #253 |
| 4 | 458 | Southern OR (overlay) | 6,135 | 15,025 | 2.4 | 30.3% | #269 |
| Total | 40,213 | 93,766 | 2.3 avg | 59.8% avg |
Portland's 503 at 80.3% in-state targeting is a pure local-targeting code, comparable to Columbus 614 Ohio (84.9%) and Topeka 785 Kansas (78.2%). The 458 overlay at 30.3% in-state is the lowest of any area code in our current batch, below even 475 Connecticut (38.5%).
Portland: High-Value Local Target
Portland's two area codes generate 48,926 combined complaints, 52.2% of the state total.
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints | In-State % | #1 Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 503 | Portland (original) | 31,297 | 80.3% | Impersonation (2,820) |
| 971 | Portland (overlay) | 17,629 | 60.7% | Impersonation (1,401) |
| Portland Metro | 48,926 |
Both Portland codes lead with impersonation, but the established 503 has higher in-state targeting and energy/solar as a notable #4 category at 968 complaints (72.2% robocall). PGE (Portland General Electric) impersonation drives the energy category. Home improvement ranks #6 in 503 at 566 complaints with a 46.6% robocall rate, consistent with Portland's expensive housing market.
The 971 overlay has elevated vacation/timeshare complaints at 376 (17.3% robocall, nearly all live-operator). For comparison, Seattle's 206 has a similar pattern with home improvement at 1,146 complaints at 20.8% robocall.
Southern and Central Oregon: The 458 Anomaly
The 458 overlay has the most extreme campaign profile in this batch.
| Metric | 458 S. OR overlay | 541 S. OR original |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 15,025 | 29,815 |
| In-State % | 30.3% | 67.9% |
| #1 Category | Debt (2,619, 84.8% robocall) | Medical (2,708) |
The 458 overlay has 30.3% in-state targeting with debt at 2,619 complaints (84.8% robocall) and impersonation at 1,323 (77.5% robocall). Nearly 70% of all 458 scam calls reach people outside Oregon who have no connection to Bend, Eugene, or Medford. The established 541 has a more balanced profile at 67.9% in-state with medical as the #1 category.
Oregon's Scam Category Profile
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government/business impersonation | 9,257 | 68.7% |
| 2 | Medical and prescriptions | 7,870 | 59.2% |
| 3 | Debt reduction | 7,129 | 80.0% |
| 4 | Warranties and protection plans | 3,175 | 78.4% |
| 5 | Energy, solar, and utilities | 1,510 | 63.8% |
| 6 | Vacation and timeshares | 1,176 | 36.9% |
| 7 | Home improvement and cleaning | 1,123 | 41.6% |
| 8 | Tech support | 772 | 64.1% |
Impersonation leads by 18% over medical (9,257 vs. 7,870). Vacation/timeshare at 1,176 and home improvement at 1,123 are both elevated, reflecting Oregon's tourism and expensive housing. The 36.9% timeshare robocall rate means most use live operators.
Energy/solar ranks #5 at 1,510, driven by PGE impersonation in the Portland metro (968 from 503 alone). Oregon's position as a top solar market (after California and Arizona) contributes to solar scam volume.
Top 10 Most Reported Oregon Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (503) 722-2343 | 213 | Debt reduction (211, 99.1%) |
| 2 | (503) 356-8762 | 165 | Robocaller (100%) |
| 3 | (503) 433-7568 | 155 | Medical (86, 55.5%) |
| 4 | (541) 536-9685 | 118 | Impersonation (116, 98.3%) |
| 5 | (971) 217-9927 | 98 | Medical (41), impersonation (19) |
| 6 | (971) 270-5012 | 90 | Mixed |
| 7 | (503) 386-4792 | 87 | Mixed (dropped calls) |
| 8 | (503) 436-7151 | 86 | Robocaller (72%) |
| 9 | (971) 314-0852 | 70 | Mixed |
| 10 | (971) 415-2438 | 70 | Mixed |
(503) 722-2343 is a dedicated debt reduction line with 211 of 213 complaints (99.1%) in that category. (541) 536-9685 from Southern Oregon is an impersonation specialist at 98.3%. (503) 433-7568 is a medical scam line with 86 of 155 complaints for medical. Five of the top 10 use the 503 Portland area code.
The West Coast Scam Corridor
Oregon completes the West Coast trio. Each state has a distinctive profile.
| State | Complaints | #1 Category | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 934,847 | Impersonation | Solar scams (39,691), Stockton #11 nationally |
| Washington | 171,755 | Impersonation | Amazon HQ impersonation, $74K roofing ring |
| Oregon | 93,766 | Impersonation | Widest in-state gap (80.3% vs 30.3%) |
All three West Coast states have impersonation as the #1 category, but Oregon's widest-in-state-targeting gap makes it unique. Portland (503) is one of the most locally targeted codes nationally, while the 458 overlay is one of the least, suggesting scammers treat Oregon's established and overlay codes as completely separate tools.
Neighbor Spoofing Analysis
| Highest In-State | % | Lowest In-State | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 503 Portland | 80.3% | 458 S. OR overlay | 30.3% |
| 541 Southern OR | 67.9% | 971 Portland overlay | 60.7% |
Oregon's statewide average of 59.8% in-state targeting masks the 50-point spread. The established codes average 74.1% in-state while the overlays average 45.5%, a 28.6-point established/overlay gap.
What Oregonians Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back. Oregon has 40,213 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the OR AG at doj.state.or.us or 1-877-877-9392.
- PGE never threatens immediate disconnection. Portland General Electric scams use disconnection threats and demand prepaid card payment. Verify at 503-228-6322.
- Be cautious of calls from 458 numbers. With 30.3% in-state targeting and 84.8% debt robocall rate, most 458 calls to Oregon residents are automated scams from out-of-state operations.
- Verify any home improvement or solar offer independently. Oregon's expensive housing market and solar incentives attract both legitimate businesses and scammers.
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FAQ
Why does Oregon have such a wide gap between area codes?
Portland's 503 has 80.3% in-state targeting (among the highest nationally) while the 458 Southern Oregon overlay has just 30.3% (among the lowest). This 50-point gap is the widest of any state. Established codes are used for local neighbor spoofing while overlays serve nationwide automated campaigns. Scammers treat them as completely separate tools.
What types of scams are most common in Oregon?
Government/business impersonation leads at 9,257 complaints (68.7% robocall), followed by medical at 7,870 (59.2%) and debt reduction at 7,129 (80.0%). Vacation/timeshare (1,176) and home improvement (1,123) are elevated by Oregon's tourism economy and expensive housing market. PGE impersonation drives 1,510 energy/utility scam complaints.
Which Oregon area code gets the most scam calls?
503 Portland leads at 31,297 complaints (#153 nationally), followed by 541 Southern Oregon at 29,815 (#165). The Portland metro (503 + 971) generates 48,926 complaints, 52.2% of the state total.
Is the 458 area code a scam?
No, 458 is a legitimate overlay for Southern/Central Oregon (Eugene, Bend, Medford). However, with 30.3% in-state targeting and debt as the #1 category at 84.8% robocall rate, it is heavily exploited for nationwide automated campaigns. Most calls from 458 numbers to Oregon residents are scams. The established 541 serves the same area with a more legitimate calling pattern.
How do I report a scam call in Oregon?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Oregon AG at doj.state.or.us or 1-877-877-9392. For PGE utility scams, call 503-228-6322. Oregon is part of the West Coast impersonation corridor with California and Washington.
