{"area_code":"831","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 831 is a legitimate California area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 831 — 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":32,"total_complaints":131,"top_subjects":["Other","Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)","Dropped call or no message"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(831) 667-2890","complaints":11,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8316672890"},{"number":"(831) 231-2405","complaints":9,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8312312405"},{"number":"(831) 230-3509","complaints":6,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8312303509"},{"number":"(831) 850-0052","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8318500052"},{"number":"(831) 215-9318","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8312159318"}],"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/831/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}