{"area_code":"205","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 205 is a legitimate Alabama area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 205 — 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":107,"total_complaints":537,"top_subjects":["Other","Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)","Dropped call or no message"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(205) 840-6072","complaints":57,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2058406072"},{"number":"(205) 961-7487","complaints":18,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2059617487"},{"number":"(205) 383-1546","complaints":17,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2053831546"},{"number":"(205) 529-8772","complaints":16,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2055298772"},{"number":"(205) 827-2204","complaints":14,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2058272204"}],"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/205/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}