A seemingly innocent text message from an unfamiliar number can feel like a daily annoyance in our hyper-connected world. But when these messages come from a 213 area code, they might be part of a sophisticated scam operation that has affected thousands of Americans in recent months. Cybersecurity experts are now warning consumers about a rise in fraudulent text messages originating from the 213 area code—which serves Los Angeles, California—and how these texts often serve as the first step in elaborate financial fraud schemes.
“We’ve seen a 47% increase in reported scam texts from the 213 area code in the past six months alone,” explains Dr. Elena Vasquez, Director of Digital Forensics at the Consumer Protection Institute. “What makes these particularly effective is how they leverage the area code’s association with the entertainment industry, especially for scams targeting musicians and content creators.”
Overview of the 213 Area Code Texts Scam
The 213 area code scam typically begins with an innocuous message that could easily be mistaken for a genuine misdirected text. Common openers include simple greetings like “yo,” “hello,” or “how are you?” These messages are designed to elicit a response, confirming that the number is active and monitored by a real person.
Once a victim responds, scammers employ various storylines to build rapport:
- Music industry scams: Messages claiming to appreciate the recipient’s music and asking if they’re “signed” or have management
- Wrong number scenarios: Pretending to have contacted the wrong person but continuing conversation regardless
- Social invitations: Inviting recipients to fictional events like BBQs, golf outings, or coffee meet-ups
- Work-related inquiries: Asking if the person is working today or offering remote job opportunities
- False familiarity: Suggesting a prior relationship with messages like “we haven’t talked in a while”
What makes these scams particularly effective is their adaptability. If the recipient is a musician or content creator, the scammer pivots to music industry discussions. If not, they smoothly transition to other angles.
Why Scammers Choose the 213 Area Code
The 213 area code isn’t chosen randomly. As one of the original area codes established in 1947, it covers downtown Los Angeles—a hub for the entertainment industry. This strategic choice serves multiple purposes:
- Perceived legitimacy: For artists and musicians, a call or text from a Los Angeles number carries an air of potential opportunity
- Industry connections: The implication that the sender has connections to record labels, management companies, or production studios
- Geographical distance: Most victims live outside of Los Angeles, making it difficult to verify the sender’s claims
- VoIP accessibility: Services like Dialpad (as advertised in their marketing materials) make it easy for anyone to obtain a 213 number remotely
“The 213 area code has significant cultural capital,” notes Dr. Vasquez. “It’s associated with Hollywood, the music industry, and opportunity—making people more likely to overlook red flags when they receive these messages.”
From Greeting to Fraud: How the Scam Evolves
What begins as a seemingly harmless exchange can quickly evolve into a sophisticated fraud attempt. Cybersecurity researchers have identified several common trajectories these scams follow:
The “Pig Butchering” Cryptocurrency Scam
The most financially devastating variant is what experts call the “pig butchering” scam—a metaphor for how victims are “fattened up” with trust before the financial “slaughter.” After establishing rapport over days or weeks, scammers introduce the topic of investments, particularly cryptocurrency.
“They’ll often pose as successful investors who want to help the victim achieve similar success,” explains Marcus Chen, a cybersecurity analyst at Digital Shield Protection. “They direct victims to fraudulent investment platforms they control, where initial small investments appear to generate impressive returns.”
Encouraged by these apparent gains, victims invest larger sums, only to discover they cannot withdraw their money. By the time they realize they’ve been scammed, their funds have been transferred through multiple cryptocurrency wallets, making recovery nearly impossible.
The Music Industry “Exposure” Scam
For musicians, producers, and content creators, 213 scammers offer exposure, connections, or representation—for a fee. They claim to have industry connections and promise to showcase the victim’s work to major labels or influencers.
“They prey on artists’ dreams of being discovered,” says Tanya Williams, founder of Artist Protection Alliance. “After expressing interest in the artist’s work—often without specifying which pieces they supposedly enjoy—they request payment for ‘promotion packages’ or ‘showcase opportunities’ that never materialize.”
Remote Work Fraud
Another common variation involves offers of flexible, high-paying remote work opportunities. After initial conversations, victims are asked to purchase equipment or software, provide financial information for “direct deposits,” or even process payments through their personal accounts—unwittingly participating in money laundering.
The Technology Behind the Scam
These scams rely on sophisticated technological infrastructure that makes them difficult to trace and stop:
1. Virtual Phone Numbers and VoIP Services
Services that provide Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) numbers allow scammers to obtain legitimate-looking U.S. phone numbers regardless of their actual location. Companies like Dialpad, while legitimate themselves, inadvertently provide tools that scammers can misuse.
“These services are designed for legitimate business use,” explains telecommunications expert Robert Miller. “But they can be exploited by scammers using stolen credit cards or fake identities to create disposable phone numbers.”
2. Automated Messaging Systems
Many initial contact messages are sent through automated systems that can message thousands of numbers simultaneously, fishing for responses. Once someone replies, the conversation may be transferred to a human operator who continues the scam.
3. International Operations
While the texts appear to come from Los Angeles, investigations have traced many of these operations to organized crime syndicates operating internationally, particularly in Southeast Asia.
“We’ve identified scam centers in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos where operators—sometimes themselves victims of human trafficking—work in shifts to target Americans,” says former FBI cybercrime investigator James Thompson. “These operations are sophisticated, with training manuals on how to appear convincing to different demographic groups.”
Protecting Yourself from Fraudulent 213 Area Code Texts
As these scams continue to evolve, experts recommend several protective measures:
1. Verify Before Engaging
If you receive a text claiming industry connections or opportunities:
- Research the person’s name and company independently
- Look for official email addresses or verified social media accounts
- Never rely solely on the information provided in the text message
2. Recognize Red Flags
Be suspicious of messages that:
- Come from unknown numbers with the 213 area code
- Contain vague praise without specifics (“I like your music” without mentioning specific songs)
- Include poor grammar or unusual phrasing
- Quickly pivot to financial discussions or opportunities
- Create artificial urgency for decisions or payments
3. Safe Response Protocols
If you’re uncertain about a message:
- Don’t provide personal or financial information
- Never send money or cryptocurrency to unknown contacts
- Be wary of requests to download apps or visit unfamiliar websites
- Consider using reverse image searches for any photos sent
“The best protection is skepticism,” advises Dr. Vasquez. “Legitimate industry professionals don’t typically reach out through unsolicited text messages. They have established channels and processes.”
The Psychological Tactics at Play
What makes these scams particularly effective is their sophisticated targeting of human psychology:
1. Exploiting Hope and Ambition
For struggling artists, musicians, and content creators, the prospect of industry recognition is powerfully motivating. Scammers leverage this hope to bypass normal caution.
2. Creating False Intimacy
Through persistent, friendly communication, scammers establish a sense of connection that makes victims more likely to trust their suggestions and offers.
3. Employing Social Proof
References to well-known companies, studios, or labels create an impression of legitimacy and association with respected institutions.
4. Utilizing Sunk Cost Fallacy
Once victims have invested time in conversations or small amounts of money in “opportunities,” they become increasingly committed to continuing—even when warning signs appear.
What Authorities Are Doing
Law enforcement agencies have recognized the growing threat of these scams and are taking action:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented new regulations requiring carriers to block suspicious text messages that display clear signs of fraud.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has established a dedicated task force focused on text message scams, allowing consumers to report suspicious messages by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) now includes specific categories for reporting 213 area code scams, helping track patterns and identify major operations.
“These scams cross multiple jurisdictions, making them challenging to investigate,” explains Thompson. “But increased reporting helps authorities identify patterns and target the most prolific operations.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Every Text from a 213 Area Code a Scam?
No, not every text from a 213 area code is fraudulent. The 213 area code legitimately serves downtown Los Angeles, and many businesses and individuals use these numbers for genuine communications. However, if you receive an unsolicited text from an unknown 213 number, especially one that matches the patterns described in this article, you should approach with caution.
2. How Can I Tell if a Music Industry Opportunity is Legitimate?
Legitimate industry professionals typically don’t reach out through unsolicited text messages. They usually make contact through official channels like professional email addresses, agency websites, or verified social media accounts. Before engaging, research the person’s name and company independently, look for an online presence, and check industry databases. Legitimate opportunities rarely require upfront payment.
3. What Should I Do If I’ve Already Responded to a Suspicious Text?
If you’ve already engaged with a suspected scammer, stop communication immediately. Don’t share any personal or financial information, and don’t click on any links they send. Document the conversation, report the number to your carrier and the FTC by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM), and monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity. If you’ve shared financial information or sent money, contact your financial institution immediately.
4. Can Scammers Access My Information Just by My Responding to a Text?
Simply responding to a text doesn’t give scammers direct access to your personal information or accounts. However, it does confirm that your number is active and monitored, potentially leading to increased scam attempts. The real danger comes from following links, downloading attachments, or voluntarily sharing sensitive information during subsequent conversations.
5. Why Do These Scams Seem So Personalized Sometimes?
Scammers often research potential victims before making contact, gathering information from public social media profiles, data breaches, and other online sources. This allows them to create messages that seem specifically targeted to you—mentioning your music, content, or professional background. This personalization makes the scam more convincing and increases the likelihood of engagement.
Conclusion
As technology evolves, so too will these scams. The 213 area code has become a powerful tool in scammers’ arsenals, leveraging its association with the entertainment industry and opportunities to bypass people’s natural defenses. What begins as a simple “yo” or “hello” can quickly escalate into sophisticated fraud that costs victims thousands of dollars and significant emotional distress.
The rise in these scams highlights a broader trend in how fraudsters adapt to digital communication norms. By understanding the common patterns—vague initial contacts, gradual trust-building, eventual pivots to financial opportunities—consumers can better protect themselves from falling victim.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Legitimate industry professionals rarely reach out through unsolicited text messages
- Be particularly wary of unexpected texts from 213 numbers if you’re in the creative arts
- Never send money, cryptocurrency, or personal information to contacts you’ve only met via text
- Report suspicious messages to your carrier and the FTC by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM)
- Trust your instincts—if something feels too good to be true, it almost certainly is
By staying informed and maintaining healthy skepticism, you can enjoy the benefits of our connected world while avoiding its pitfalls. When in doubt, verify independently, and never let the excitement of potential opportunity override your better judgment.
For more information on reporting scams or seeking assistance if you’ve been victimized, visit the FTC’s consumer protection website at consumer.ftc.gov or call their hotline at 1-877-FTC-HELP.
