{"area_code":"839","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 839 is a legitimate South Carolina area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 839 — 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":11,"total_complaints":59,"top_subjects":["Other","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends","Dropped call or no message"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(839) 529-1969","complaints":22,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8395291969"},{"number":"(839) 273-7701","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8392737701"},{"number":"(839) 257-6034","complaints":5,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8392576034"},{"number":"(839) 201-0656","complaints":4,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8392010656"},{"number":"(839) 597-5580","complaints":4,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/8395975580"}],"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/839/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}