{"area_code":"509","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 509 is a legitimate Washington area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 509 — 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":164,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(509) 684-6252","complaints":12,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5096846252"},{"number":"(509) 903-1448","complaints":10,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5099031448"},{"number":"(509) 214-0249","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5092140249"},{"number":"(509) 824-6942","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5098246942"},{"number":"(509) 213-2284","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5092132284"}],"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/509/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}