{"area_code":"771","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 771 is a legitimate District of Columbia area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 771 — 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":390,"total_complaints":1975,"top_subjects":["Other","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends","Dropped call or no message"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(771) 223-4450","complaints":30,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7712234450"},{"number":"(771) 772-5413","complaints":21,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7717725413"},{"number":"(771) 772-5436","complaints":16,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7717725436"},{"number":"(771) 772-5264","complaints":15,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7717725264"},{"number":"(771) 772-5263","complaints":15,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7717725263"}],"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/771/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}