{"area_code":"909","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 909 is a legitimate California area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 909 — 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":111,"total_complaints":471,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(909) 377-4238","complaints":73,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9093774238"},{"number":"(909) 378-4263","complaints":14,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9093784263"},{"number":"(909) 325-1970","complaints":10,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9093251970"},{"number":"(909) 294-2838","complaints":7,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9092942838"},{"number":"(909) 791-1976","complaints":6,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9097911976"}],"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/909/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}