{"area_code":"202","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 202 is a legitimate District of Columbia area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 202 — so individual calls can still be fraudulent.","spoofing_note":"An area code only shows where a number is registered, not who is calling. Caller ID can be spoofed, so the code alone is not proof a call is local, safe, or fraudulent.","ftc_complaints":{"numbers_with_complaints":664,"total_complaints":3461,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(202) 326-2222","complaints":34,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2023262222"},{"number":"(202) 900-1726","complaints":34,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2029001726"},{"number":"(202) 813-1600","complaints":26,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2028131600"},{"number":"(202) 860-2613","complaints":24,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2028602613"},{"number":"(202) 325-8000","complaints":23,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2023258000"}],"note":"These are FTC Do Not Call complaints filed about specific numbers shown with this area code — frequently spoofed. The area code itself is not a scam.","source":"FTC Do Not Call Reported Calls"},"advice":"Judge the call by what it asks for (urgency, gift cards/crypto, confirming codes or SSN), not by the area code. When unsure, hang up and call back on an official number.","canonical_url":"https://areacode.fyi/202/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}