{"area_code":"253","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 253 is a legitimate Washington area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 253 — 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":70,"total_complaints":282,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","No Subject Provided"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(253) 200-1944","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2532001944"},{"number":"(253) 527-5931","complaints":9,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2535275931"},{"number":"(253) 366-7606","complaints":8,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2533667606"},{"number":"(253) 237-1168","complaints":8,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2532371168"},{"number":"(253) 642-8009","complaints":7,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/2536428009"}],"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/253/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}