{"area_code":"516","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 516 is a legitimate New York area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 516 — 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":175,"total_complaints":682,"top_subjects":["Lotteries, prizes  & sweepstakes","Other","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(516) 271-2250","complaints":16,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5162712250"},{"number":"(516) 739-5690","complaints":14,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5167395690"},{"number":"(516) 846-3442","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5168463442"},{"number":"(516) 778-5014","complaints":11,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5167785014"},{"number":"(516) 696-3512","complaints":11,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/5166963512"}],"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/516/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}