Key Findings
Pennsylvania lost $76 million to scammers in 2025, according to Attorney General Dave Sunday's office. ScamVerify™ analysis of 9.7 million FTC phone complaint records reveals 300,919 complaints from 122,383 unique scam numbers across 11 Pennsylvania area codes. The state ranks 8th nationally in total volume.
Pennsylvania's distinguishing feature is the prominence of energy and utility scams: 14,513 complaints statewide, ranking #4 among all scam categories. This is driven by active PECO, PPL, and Duquesne Light impersonation campaigns. In March 2025, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission received 70+ calls in a single day from consumers reporting spoofed PUC phone numbers, where scammers told victims that PECO had reported a utility switch request and demanded a "cancellation fee." The state also reveals a clear Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh divide, with each city facing different dominant scam types.
All 11 Pennsylvania Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per # | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 717 | Harrisburg | 16,804 | 40,228 | 2.4 | 76.9% | #63 |
| 2 | 570 | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | 14,706 | 35,539 | 2.4 | 81.6% | #90 |
| 3 | 610 | Lehigh Valley | 14,382 | 34,150 | 2.4 | 77.9% | #103 |
| 4 | 215 | Philadelphia | 12,643 | 32,334 | 2.6 | 69.5% | #114 |
| 5 | 267 | Philadelphia (overlay) | 11,945 | 30,282 | 2.5 | 51.1% | #134 |
| 6 | 412 | Pittsburgh | 10,838 | 28,166 | 2.6 | 73.1% | #155 |
| 7 | 724 | Western PA | 10,823 | 26,035 | 2.4 | 78.7% | #173 |
| 8 | 484 | Lehigh Valley (overlay) | 10,326 | 25,281 | 2.4 | 53.0% | #179 |
| 9 | 814 | Erie/State College | 10,281 | 24,862 | 2.4 | 72.0% | #183 |
| 10 | 223 | Lancaster (overlay) | 5,659 | 14,271 | 2.5 | 43.5% | #266 |
| 11 | 445 | Philadelphia (overlay) | 3,976 | 9,771 | 2.5 | 31.8% | #303 |
| Total | 122,383 | 300,919 | 2.5 avg | 64.5% avg |
The surprise leader is 717 (Harrisburg), not Philadelphia. The state capital area code ranks #63 nationally with 40,228 complaints, outpacing both 215 Philadelphia (#114) and 412 Pittsburgh (#155). Like other state capitals (217 Springfield in Illinois, 916 Sacramento in California), Harrisburg's area code may benefit scammers for government impersonation calls.
Philadelphia: Three Codes, 72,387 Complaints
Philadelphia's three area codes form Pennsylvania's largest metro scam cluster.
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints | In-State % | Top Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215 | Philadelphia (original) | 32,334 | 69.5% | Medical (2,565) |
| 267 | Philadelphia (overlay) | 30,282 | 51.1% | Debt reduction (3,893) |
| 445 | Philadelphia (newest overlay) | 9,771 | 31.8% | Debt reduction (3,369) |
| Philadelphia Total | 72,387 |
The established 215 code leads with medical scams (2,565 complaints) and energy/utility scams (2,435). The overlay codes (267 and 445) are dominated by debt reduction at 85-89% robocall rates, with much lower in-state targeting (51.1% and 31.8%). The 445 code, the newest, has just 31.8% in-state targeting, confirming it is being used primarily for out-of-state automated campaigns.
In August 2025, PECO customers reported scam calls from someone claiming to be "Miss Lewis" or "Miss Wilson" calling to "review electric statements." PECO confirmed these calls were fraudulent.
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints | In-State % | Top Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 412 | Pittsburgh | 28,166 | 73.1% | Medical (2,133) |
| 724 | Western PA | 26,035 | 78.7% | Medical (1,978) |
| Pittsburgh Metro | 54,201 |
Pittsburgh's scam profile differs from Philadelphia's. Medical scams lead both 412 and 724, and the 724 Western PA code has an unusually high energy/utility complaint count (1,951 at 84.4% robocall rate), the highest robocall rate for utility scams in any PA area code. Duquesne Light and Columbia Gas impersonation campaigns drive this pattern.
Energy and Utility Scams: Pennsylvania's Distinctive Threat
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Debt reduction | 25,831 | 81.4% |
| 2 | Medical and prescriptions | 23,306 | 51.6% |
| 3 | Government/business impersonation | 20,454 | 61.6% |
| 4 | Energy, solar, and utilities | 14,513 | 66.7% |
| 5 | Warranties and protection plans | 5,510 | 61.9% |
| 6 | Home improvement and cleaning | 3,133 | 55.7% |
| 7 | Tech support | 2,083 | 66.8% |
| 8 | Charities | 1,933 | 43.8% |
Energy/utility scams rank #4 with 14,513 complaints, a higher share of the state's complaints than in any of the 6 states we have previously profiled. For comparison, California (the #1 state for solar scams) has 39,691 energy complaints from 934,847 total (4.2%), while Pennsylvania has 14,513 from 300,919 (4.8%). Pennsylvania's utility scam concentration is proportionally higher.
The PA Public Utility Commission warned consumers in March 2025 about a crisis-level spoofing event: scammers spoofed the PUC's own Philadelphia phone number and told victims that PECO had filed a utility switch request, demanding payment to cancel. The PUC received 70+ consumer calls in a single day about the scam.
Top 10 Most Reported Pennsylvania Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (610) 200-9937 | 172 | Debt reduction |
| 2 | (412) 430-3876 | 152 | Dropped calls |
| 3 | (724) 929-8000 | 135 | Warranties (100%) |
| 4 | (484) 290-8309 | 118 | Mixed |
| 5 | (215) 253-3391 | 118 | Mixed |
| 6 | (412) 460-9647 | 116 | Dropped calls (robocaller) |
| 7 | (570) 545-6445 | 102 | Mixed |
| 8 | (570) 419-2289 | 102 | Medical (42.2%) |
| 9 | (223) 245-7188 | 91 | Mixed |
| 10 | (610) 702-9204 | 90 | Dropped calls (robocaller) |
(724) 929-8000 is a dedicated warranty scam line: all 135 complaints are categorized as warranties and protection plans. (570) 419-2289 from Scranton targets medical scam victims with 43 of 102 complaints for medical and prescriptions. Multiple numbers in the top 10 are pure robocallers leaving dropped calls, a common pattern with automated dialing systems.
Neighbor Spoofing: Established vs. Overlay
| Highest In-State | % | Lowest In-State | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 570 Scranton | 81.6% | 445 Philly overlay | 31.8% |
| 724 Western PA | 78.7% | 223 Lancaster overlay | 43.5% |
| 610 Lehigh Valley | 77.9% | 267 Philly overlay | 51.1% |
| 717 Harrisburg | 76.9% | 484 Lehigh overlay | 53.0% |
The established/overlay split follows the pattern seen in every state: original area codes average 75.4% in-state targeting, while overlay codes average 44.9%. The 30-point gap is one of the widest of any state, with 445 (Philadelphia's newest overlay) at just 31.8%, indicating it is almost entirely a nationwide spoofing tool.
Pennsylvania vs. Other States
| State | Area Codes | Scam Numbers | FTC Complaints | Per # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 33 | 366,832 | 934,847 | 2.6 |
| New York | 20 | 252,869 | 640,949 | 2.5 |
| Ohio | 12 | 165,727 | 424,094 | 2.6 |
| Illinois | 13 | 140,024 | 367,123 | 2.6 |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 122,383 | 300,919 | 2.5 |
| Georgia | 10 | 119,518 | 306,594 | 2.6 |
Pennsylvania ranks 8th nationally. AG Dave Sunday, who took office in January 2025 and was appointed co-chair of the National Association of Attorneys General's Consumer Protection Committee, has launched an Elder Exploitation Section specifically targeting scams against seniors. His office reported 4,000+ scam complaints in 2025. The FBI ranked Pennsylvania #5 nationally by IC3 complaint volume with over 27,000 reports and #8 by losses at $400 million+ in 2024.
What Pennsylvanians Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back. Pennsylvania has 122,383 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the PA AG at 800-441-2555.
- Verify utility communications directly. PECO (1-800-494-4000), PPL (1-800-342-5775), and Duquesne Light (412-393-7100) confirm they never threaten immediate disconnection by phone or demand payment by gift card. The PA PUC never calls to confirm utility switching.
- Be cautious of calls from your own area code. Pennsylvania's 75% average in-state targeting rate for established codes means scammers specifically choose local-looking numbers to increase answer rates.
- Report utility scam impersonation to the PA PUC at 1-800-692-7380 in addition to the FTC and AG.
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FAQ
How much do Pennsylvanians lose to phone scams?
AG Dave Sunday reported that Pennsylvanians lost $76 million to scammers in 2025. His Bureau of Consumer Protection received over 4,000 scam complaints. The FBI's IC3 ranked Pennsylvania #5 nationally with 27,000+ complaints and $400 million+ in cybercrime losses in 2024. Energy and utility scams are a significant driver, with the PA PUC reporting crisis-level spoofing events where scammers impersonate the PUC itself.
Why does Harrisburg (717) lead Pennsylvania instead of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh?
Area code 717 (Harrisburg) has 40,228 complaints, outranking 215 Philadelphia (32,334) and 412 Pittsburgh (28,166). Philadelphia's complaints are split across three area codes (215, 267, 445), diluting each one. Harrisburg's role as the state capital also makes the 717 area code useful for government impersonation scams, where displaying a Harrisburg number adds credibility to calls claiming to be from state agencies.
Why are utility scams so high in Pennsylvania?
Energy and utility scams account for 14,513 complaints (4.8% of the state total), the highest utility scam concentration of any state in our series. Pennsylvania's deregulated energy market creates confusion that scammers exploit: callers claim a utility has filed a "switching request" and demand payment to cancel. PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, and the PA PUC itself have all been impersonated. The PUC reported 70+ consumer calls in a single day about a spoofed PUC number in March 2025.
What types of scams are most common in Pennsylvania?
Debt reduction leads with 25,831 complaints (81.4% robocall rate), followed by medical and prescriptions at 23,306, government impersonation at 20,454, and energy/utility at 14,513. Warranty scams rank #5 with 5,510 complaints. The Philadelphia area is split between medical scams (215) and debt robocalls (267/445), while Pittsburgh and Western PA lean toward medical and energy/utility scams.
What is Pennsylvania doing about phone scams?
AG Dave Sunday was appointed co-chair of the National Association of Attorneys General's Consumer Protection Committee. He launched a new Elder Exploitation Section in 2025 targeting scams against seniors. Prior AG enforcement included a $250,000 settlement with Fluent LLC for millions of illegal calls and participation in the 47-state lawsuit against Avid Telecom. The Governor's office issued statewide warnings about PennDOT text phishing scams in January 2026.
