{"area_code":"916","is_legitimate_code":true,"explanation":"Area code 916 is a legitimate California area code. The code itself is not a scam, but scammers can spoof any number — including 916 — 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":117,"total_complaints":561,"top_subjects":["Other","Dropped call or no message","Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends"],"most_complained":[{"number":"(916) 800-1098","complaints":36,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9168001098"},{"number":"(916) 203-2190","complaints":31,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9162032190"},{"number":"(916) 243-0107","complaints":15,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9162430107"},{"number":"(916) 414-9157","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9164149157"},{"number":"(916) 964-4287","complaints":13,"url":"https://areacode.fyi/number/9169644287"}],"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/916/scam","source":"North American Numbering Plan Administrator via areacode.fyi","data_date":"2026-08-02"}