We're pretty fortunate that we don't have a lot of area codes here in Washington State. 509 basically covers all of eastern Washington while our friends in the Seattle area rock that 206.
There are a few others like 253 for the Tacoma area, 360, 425, and, most recently, 564. That's an area code that Washington has had for less than 10 years.
So, as it turns out, sometimes new area codes pop up. And, if you're not familiar with the area codes on the west side of Washington you may answer thinking it's something important from Seattle.
Answering a number from one of these 5 area codes (a few sound like they could be from Washington State) could be walking right into a scam.
Area Code 268
This is from Barbuda or Antigua which has been known to be an area code for scamming in the past.
Area Code 284
This is the area code for the British Virgin Islands where many people who have been scammed found this as the area code.
Area Code 473
Grenada and Carriacou has been known to have several scam calls from this location.
Area Code 649
Scammers from this area code found in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Don't fall for it.
Area Code 876
Welcome to Jamaica. Unfortunate, though a tropical paradise, it's also a scammers paradise for calling about scams dealing with lottery and 'work-at-home' scams.
Of course, at the end of the day, you don't have to ever answer the phone from anyone you don't already recognize. If it's truly a friend or something to be trusted they'll leave a message.