{"area_code":"818","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 818 is a legitimate California area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 818 — 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":101,"total_complaints":452,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(818) 212-9106","complaints":24,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8182129106"},{"number":"(818) 381-2542","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8183812542"},{"number":"(818) 538-2622","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8185382622"},{"number":"(818) 746-7399","complaints":12,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8187467399"},{"number":"(818) 390-7561","complaints":12,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8183907561"}],"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/818/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}