What are Bernalillo County Area Codes?
Area codes are the three digits that start 10-digit telephone numbers. The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) allocates them to predetermined geographical service regions known as Numbering Plan Areas (NPAs) within states. The New Mexico Public Utilities Regulations Commission (NMPRC) is the state authority that administers the Bernalillo County area code.
Only one area code serves Bernalillo County and sections of neighboring counties in New Mexico.
Area code 505
The 505 area code is the New Mexico telephone area code covering the Albuquerque metropolitan area and all of Bernalillo County. One of the original 86 area codes, it initially served all of New Mexico. It was split in 2007 and now covers the northwestern and central sections of the state. Communities in Bernalillo County served by this area code include Albuquerque, Tijeras, South Valley, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Sandia Park.
What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in Bernalillo County?
America’s four major carriers - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint - provide phone services in Bernalillo County. T-Mobile boasts the most comprehensive coverage and blankets 96.1% of the county. AT&T and Verizon both deliver decent service with 80.6% and 84.5% coverage, respectively. Sprint’s coverage is relatively low, providing only 16.5% coverage in the state. Numerous smaller networks called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) utilize the larger carriers’ infrastructure to offer competitively priced options.
Information supplied by a 2018 CDC research estimated that, of the total New Mexico population, 66.4% of adults (above 18 years) used wireless-only services. This figure contrasted with 4.1% of adults who relied on landline-only services. Among residents below 18 years, 81.5% used only cell phones while only 1% were landline-only users. These figures show that wireless telephony services are rapidly gaining new subscribers and replacing Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) as most residents’ preferred choice.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is another means of telecommunication that has seen widespread acceptance among Bernalillo County residents. VoIP services offer voice and video calls, text messaging, and several phone services at more affordable rates than traditional alternatives. In addition, the availability of county-owned broadband internet fiber infrastructure continues to facilitate VoIP adoption among residents, businesses, and county government agencies.
What are Bernalillo County Phone Scams?
These are deceptive acts executed by scammers using phone calls and text messages to target Bernalillo County residents with the aim of stealing their money and sensitive information. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) alerts residents about prevalent scams in the county. Scammers who deploy these schemes can often be detected when their phone numbers are run through phone lookup searches. Scam complaints filed by residents can be submitted to the BCSO or the FTC. Examples of phone scams that are commonly perpetrated in Bernalillo County include:
What are Warrants and Citations Scams?
In these scams, fraudsters contact residents claiming to be deputies with the “Warrants and Citations Division” of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). They inform their targets that there are outstanding warrants or citations against them and threaten arrest if they fail to make immediate payments. Victims are then instructed to call a certain number using a 505 area code to receive payment instructions.
Note that unknown callers’ identifying information, like names and contact addresses, can be retrieved by performing checks with reverse phone lookup services. The County Sheriff warns residents that no such division exists and that BCSO officers do not call to request payments for warrants, citations, and traffic tickets. County residents who are targets and victims of these scams should file reports with the BCSO or the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
What are Property Tax Scams?
Property and real estate owners in Bernalillo County are the targets of these scams. Scammers identify as representatives of the Bernalillo County Treasurer’s Office and call to demand payment for outstanding taxes. They use verbal threats like “this is your last chance” or “you will lose your home” to coerce victims to make payments or share financial information. Reverse phone search tools can be used to confirm if these callers are legitimate representatives of the Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer’s Office warns residents that it does not request or accept payments over the phone. Residents can only pay their property taxes through regular mail, in person, or online.
What are Probate Court Scams?
Scammers call residents and attempt to obtain their sensitive information by posing as employees of the Bernalillo Court of Wills, Estates, and Probate. Their marks are often the representatives or beneficiaries of estates that have filed in the Probate Courts in the county. Examples of information requested include social security numbers and personal information of the beneficiaries, and asset information about these estates.
Bernalillo Court of Wills, Estates, and Probate will never solicit these types of information over unsolicited phone calls. Residents should also note that official requests for information are always done via written correspondences and not through phone calls. Residents who are targets of these scams can do reverse phone lookups to verify whether callers are real officers of the Court. Victims of these scams should file reports with the BCSO by calling (505) 468-7140.
What are Charity Scams?
Scammers use natural disasters and tragedies to exploit residents’ desire to help affected persons in these scams. Setting up fake charities, they contact their marks via phone calls and make financial solicitations while claiming to help victims. They further confuse their targets by using familiar-sounding names and pretending to be affiliated with legitimate charities.
Residents can confirm the statuses of charities by contacting the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance or by calling (703) 276-0100. In addition, services that provide reverse phone lookups can also be used to confirm the legitimacy of charities soliciting within the county. Individuals who feel fake charities have solicited them should file reports with the Attorney General’s Office or the FTC online complaint assistant.
What are COVID-19 Scams?
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office cautions residents to be wary of COVID-19 related scams. Scammers make phone contacts with residents and try to steal their personal information to commit identity theft. They pretend to represent legitimate healthcare service providers and ask for personal information like names, birth dates, and social security numbers. They extract these confidential records by convincing residents that they are needed for obtaining COVID-19 test results, treatments, and vaccines.
Note that healthcare services and providers in Bernalillo County do not call locals to ask for their social security numbers and similar confidential information. Individuals can confirm if callers are legitimate healthcare services or providers by running phone number lookups on their phone numbers.
What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?
Robocalls deliver pre-recorded messages to numerous recipients by calling their phone numbers using auto-dialers. They were initially used for legitimate and cost-effective campaigns by political organizations and telemarketers but have become scammers’ preferred tools. Scammers use spoofed robocalls to deceive their targets into believing their calls are from government agencies and legitimate organizations. This greatly increases their chances of defrauding their victims and stealing confidential records. Reverse phone lookup free services can be employed to confirm if inbound calls are robocalls.
Follow these recommended actions if targeted by a robocall:
- End a robocall immediately you identify it. Delaying to do so only confirms to the caller that your phone number is active. This will lead to more robocalls.
- File a complaint online with the FTC or by calling 1 (888) 382-1222.
- Ask your phone company about free spam-blocking options as it can be expensive trying to block the many numbers scammers use for robocalls.
- Search the internet for publicly accessible sites that provide free reverse phone lookups to identify known robocall operators.
- Register on the National Do Not Call Registry to block automated calls from telemarketing and other sales-based organizations. Although this will not halt all robocalls, you can more effectively detect subsequent scam calls since scammers usually ignore the registry’s prohibitions. Guidelines on blocking unwanted calls are also available to consumers on the FTC’s site.
How To Spot and Report Bernalillo Phone Scams?
Bernalillo County residents can spot phone scammers by learning how to conduct reverse phone searches by name and address. However, education and awareness remain residents' best defense against phone scams. These defenses are vital because phone scammers are always searching for new ways to defraud unsuspecting individuals. To avoid phone scams, look out for the following tell-tale signs used by scammers:
- Fraudsters pressure their targets into divulging sensitive information like mothers’ maiden names, bank account information, and birth dates. They typically threaten their victims with detention, lawsuit, fine, and deportation to force their cooperation.
- Scammers insist on non-secure and unusual payment methods, like gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrencies, when requesting payments. Funds sent via these means are harder to trace and recover.
- Scammers use fabulous offers as bait to attract as many targets as possible. Their goal is to deceive their potential victims into thinking these deals are legitimate and then defraud them.
- Fraudsters often ask their victims to make advance payments before receiving supposedly free products, services, and gifts.
- Con artists usually identify as representatives of legitimate agencies when making unsolicited telephone requests for financial and personal information. No reputable organization will ask for sensitive information over phone calls not initiated by the customers.
Staying updated about prevalent scams and understanding that everyone is a potential target can greatly help residents combat phone scams effectively. Certain public agencies that are dedicated to fighting phone scams and consumer fraud include:
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) - The BCSO preserves the peace within Bernalillo county and is responsible for the security of all its residents. They also provide regular scam updates to raise awareness among county locals. Residents can report scams online to the BCSO or by calling (505) 468-7140.
New Mexico Office of the Attorney General - The NM Office of the Attorney General advocates for New Mexicans’ welfare and security by providing consumer protection information. They also protect residents by educating them about recent scams and fraud in the state. NM residents who have fallen victims to scams and frauds can submit complaints to the Attorney General’s Office.
Federal Trade Commission - The FTC ensures that American consumers are protected from fraudulent and unfair trade acts. They also offer protection against robocalls by maintaining the National Do Not Call Registry. Individuals whose numbers are registered on this registry are excluded from receiving sales calls from telemarketers and other businesses. Additional instructions and guidelines on anti-spam security are also provided to consumers by the FTC. Residents who have experienced unfair trade practices and unlawful robocalls can complain online to the FTC or by dialing 1 (888) 382-1222.
Federal Communications Commission - Charged with overseeing American domestic and foreign communication, the FCC also guards consumers against phone scams and unwanted robocalls. Individuals targeted by phone spoofing scams or automated calls can file complaints with the FCC. They further protect consumers by offering instructions on stopping unwanted robocalls and avoiding phone scams.