{"area_code":"206","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 206 is a legitimate Washington area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 206 — 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":142,"total_complaints":840,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(206) 922-0880","complaints":92,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2069220880"},{"number":"(206) 453-2329","complaints":74,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2064532329"},{"number":"(206) 536-3695","complaints":56,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2065363695"},{"number":"(206) 745-5159","complaints":22,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2067455159"},{"number":"(206) 875-5457","complaints":22,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2068755457"}],"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/206/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}