{"area_code":"409","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 409 is a legitimate Texas area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 409 — 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":16,"total_complaints":210,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(409) 761-7631","complaints":107,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/4097617631"},{"number":"(409) 218-5453","complaints":59,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/4092185453"},{"number":"(409) 783-1717","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/4097831717"},{"number":"(409) 334-8933","complaints":3,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/4093348933"},{"number":"(409) 213-1215","complaints":3,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/4092131215"}],"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/409/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}