{"area_code":"252","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 252 is a legitimate North Carolina area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 252 — 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":65,"total_complaints":299,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(252) 315-3680","complaints":37,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2523153680"},{"number":"(252) 623-1389","complaints":24,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2526231389"},{"number":"(252) 501-6300","complaints":14,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2525016300"},{"number":"(252) 381-8098","complaints":7,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2523818098"},{"number":"(252) 272-8055","complaints":6,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2522728055"}],"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/252/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-11-02"}