{"area_code":"817","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 817 is a legitimate Texas area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 817 — 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":130,"total_complaints":645,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(817) 909-3164","complaints":93,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8179093164"},{"number":"(817) 854-8945","complaints":17,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8178548945"},{"number":"(817) 750-0569","complaints":16,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8177500569"},{"number":"(817) 419-6664","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8174196664"},{"number":"(817) 284-1110","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8172841110"}],"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/817/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}