{"area_code":"781","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 781 is a legitimate Massachusetts area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 781 — 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":45,"total_complaints":244,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(781) 989-1000","complaints":40,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7819891000"},{"number":"(781) 694-9000","complaints":20,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7816949000"},{"number":"(781) 566-8000","complaints":14,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7815668000"},{"number":"(781) 365-5782","complaints":12,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7813655782"},{"number":"(781) 796-6000","complaints":9,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/7817966000"}],"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/781/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}