{"area_code":"304","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 304 is a legitimate West Virginia area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 304 — 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":207,"total_complaints":777,"top_subjects":["Other","Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(304) 443-4282","complaints":32,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/3044434282"},{"number":"(304) 443-4077","complaints":28,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/3044434077"},{"number":"(304) 707-9492","complaints":11,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/3047079492"},{"number":"(304) 996-9844","complaints":9,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/3049969844"},{"number":"(304) 724-2429","complaints":9,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/3047242429"}],"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/304/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}