{"area_code":"228","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 228 is a legitimate Mississippi area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 228 — 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":43,"total_complaints":173,"top_subjects":["Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends","Dropped call or no message"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(228) 348-1994","complaints":18,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2283481994"},{"number":"(228) 288-1608","complaints":15,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2282881608"},{"number":"(228) 332-4972","complaints":8,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2283324972"},{"number":"(228) 533-8218","complaints":6,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2285338218"},{"number":"(228) 666-5373","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2286665373"}],"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/228/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-11-02"}