{"area_code":"510","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 510 is a legitimate California area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 510 — 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":89,"total_complaints":367,"top_subjects":["Other","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends","Dropped call or no message"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(510) 282-0739","complaints":36,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5102820739"},{"number":"(510) 890-4412","complaints":11,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5108904412"},{"number":"(510) 746-6730","complaints":9,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5107466730"},{"number":"(510) 754-1263","complaints":8,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5107541263"},{"number":"(510) 390-7260","complaints":7,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5103907260"}],"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/510/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}