Key Findings
Florida is America's #1 state for fraud per capita. ScamVerify™ analysis of 9.7 million FTC phone complaint records reveals 622,746 complaints across 237,504 unique scam numbers from all 18 Florida area codes. The state ranks 4th nationally in total phone scam volume behind California, Texas, and New York, but leads the nation in per-capita fraud and identity theft at 2,179 reports per 100,000 residents (FTC Consumer Sentinel, 2024).
The biggest surprise: Tampa Bay, not Miami, is Florida's scam call capital. The 813 and 727 area codes combine for 90,238 complaints, 45% more than Miami's two area codes (63,264). Medical scams are the #1 category statewide (59,692 complaints), and timeshare scams (11,128 complaints) are virtually unique to Florida. Across all 18 area codes, 68% of scam calls target in-state residents, confirming systematic neighbor spoofing.
All 18 Florida Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per Number | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 407 | Orlando | 17,053 | 48,399 | 2.8 | 68.7% | #23 |
| 2 | 813 | Tampa | 18,192 | 47,233 | 2.6 | 72.6% | #28 |
| 3 | 561 | West Palm Beach | 17,370 | 45,829 | 2.6 | 66.9% | #31 |
| 4 | 239 | Fort Myers | 16,712 | 44,958 | 2.7 | 58.3% | #34 |
| 5 | 904 | Jacksonville | 16,828 | 43,593 | 2.6 | 71.0% | #39 |
| 6 | 727 | St. Petersburg | 17,043 | 43,005 | 2.5 | 74.1% | #42 |
| 7 | 321 | Space Coast | 15,604 | 41,409 | 2.7 | 68.3% | #55 |
| 8 | 352 | Gainesville | 15,727 | 38,679 | 2.5 | 73.9% | #73 |
| 9 | 941 | Sarasota | 13,778 | 35,466 | 2.6 | 71.8% | #94 |
| 10 | 786 | Miami | 12,943 | 34,938 | 2.7 | 61.1% | #98 |
| 11 | 954 | Fort Lauderdale | 12,912 | 33,896 | 2.6 | 70.2% | #104 |
| 12 | 850 | Tallahassee | 12,330 | 32,917 | 2.7 | 74.3% | #110 |
| 13 | 305 | Miami | 11,090 | 28,326 | 2.6 | 71.2% | #152 |
| 14 | 386 | Daytona Beach | 10,367 | 26,266 | 2.5 | 68.2% | #169 |
| 15 | 863 | Lakeland | 10,298 | 26,108 | 2.5 | 65.2% | #172 |
| 16 | 772 | Treasure Coast | 7,582 | 20,060 | 2.6 | 68.9% | #216 |
| 17 | 754 | Fort Lauderdale | 6,926 | 18,548 | 2.7 | 61.9% | #230 |
| 18 | 689 | Orlando | 4,749 | 13,116 | 2.8 | 56.3% | #274 |
| Total | 237,504 | 622,746 | 2.6 avg | 68.0% avg |
All 18 Florida area codes rank in the national top 275. Not a single Florida area code is below average for complaint volume.
Tampa Bay: Florida's Scam Call Capital
Tampa Bay leads Florida by a wide margin, and the answer is not the city most people expect.
| Metro | Area Codes | Complaints | Numbers | In-State % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | 813, 727 | 90,238 | 35,235 | 73.4% |
| Miami | 786, 305 | 63,264 | 24,033 | 66.2% |
| Orlando | 407, 689 | 61,515 | 21,802 | 62.5% |
| Fort Lauderdale | 954, 754 | 52,444 | 19,838 | 66.1% |
| West Palm Beach | 561 | 45,829 | 17,370 | 66.9% |
| Fort Myers/Naples | 239 | 44,958 | 16,712 | 58.3% |
| Jacksonville | 904 | 43,593 | 16,828 | 71.0% |
Tampa Bay generates 43% more complaints than Miami's two area codes combined. The 813 (Tampa) and 727 (St. Petersburg) area codes also have higher in-state targeting (73.4%) than Miami (66.2%), suggesting scammers find Tampa Bay area codes more effective for neighbor spoofing against Florida residents.
St. Petersburg specifically stands out. WFLA reported that St. Petersburg recorded 700 robocall complaints per 100,000 residents in 2024, ranking second among all U.S. cities behind only Tucson, Arizona.
South Florida: Five Codes, One Target Zone
Combining the South Florida corridor from Miami to West Palm Beach reveals the true scale.
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 561 | West Palm Beach | 45,829 |
| 786 | Miami (overlay) | 34,938 |
| 954 | Fort Lauderdale | 33,896 |
| 305 | Miami (original) | 28,326 |
| 754 | Fort Lauderdale (overlay) | 18,548 |
| South FL Total | 161,537 |
South Florida's five area codes generate 161,537 complaints from 60,301 scam numbers, representing 25.9% of all Florida scam activity. The 58.3% to 66.9% in-state targeting rate is the lowest in the state. Fort Myers (239) has just 58.3% in-state targeting, while Orlando's 689 overlay drops to 56.3%. Lower in-state percentages mean these area codes are being spoofed for out-of-state scam campaigns, not just neighbor spoofing within Florida.
Medical Scams: Florida's #1 Threat
Florida's top scam categories reveal a state uniquely targeted by medical and healthcare fraud.
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical and prescriptions | 59,692 | 55.2% |
| 2 | Government/business impersonation | 53,159 | 60.6% |
| 3 | Debt reduction | 37,747 | 71.1% |
| 4 | Energy, solar, and utilities | 11,876 | 38.0% |
| 5 | Warranties and protection plans | 11,282 | 55.8% |
| 6 | Vacation and timeshares | 11,128 | 27.5% |
| 7 | Home improvement and cleaning | 8,576 | 35.7% |
| 8 | Charities | 5,741 | 49.7% |
| 9 | Tech support | 3,780 | 57.1% |
| 10 | Lotteries and sweepstakes | 3,151 | 35.5% |
Medical scams lead by 12% over impersonation scams, a pattern driven by Florida's 4.9 million residents over age 65 (the second-largest senior population in the country after California). Medicare enrollment scams, fake prescription offers, and fraudulent health insurance calls exploit the concentration of retirees. Florida seniors lost $293.4 million to scams in just the first half of 2024, according to FTC data analyzed by AARP.
The 55.2% robocall rate for medical scams is notable. Nearly half of medical scam calls use live operators rather than automated recordings, making them harder for carrier-level call screening to detect and block.
The Timeshare Factor: Unique to Florida
The 6th-ranked category, vacation and timeshares with 11,128 complaints, is virtually nonexistent outside Florida. This is a Florida-specific threat driven by the state's $10 billion timeshare industry.
Three area codes account for the majority of timeshare scam complaints.
| Area Code | Region | Timeshare Complaints | % of Area Code Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 407 | Orlando | 3,273 | 6.8% |
| 727 | St. Petersburg | 1,089 | 2.5% |
| 689 | Orlando (overlay) | 789 | 6.0% |
| 321 | Space Coast | 760 | 1.8% |
| 954 | Fort Lauderdale | 682 | 2.0% |
The #1 most reported phone number in all of Florida is (407) 845-7565 with 407 FTC complaints, 397 of which are timeshare-related. That single number has more complaints than many entire area codes in smaller states.
Top 10 Most Reported Florida Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (407) 845-7565 | 407 | Vacation and timeshares |
| 2 | (941) 379-1954 | 305 | Mixed (energy, impersonation) |
| 3 | (813) 881-1700 | 290 | Dropped calls, charities |
| 4 | (561) 214-8902 | 285 | Impersonation |
| 5 | (954) 951-0131 | 280 | Mixed |
| 6 | (407) 235-7448 | 200 | Vacation and timeshares |
| 7 | (786) 936-1984 | 183 | Debt reduction |
| 8 | (727) 456-9730 | 167 | Medical and prescriptions |
| 9 | (772) 255-9637 | 162 | Dropped calls (robocaller) |
| 10 | (754) 294-8357 | 160 | Debt reduction |
Three of the top 10 numbers are from the 407 (Orlando) area code. Two are timeshare scam operations. The 727 number is a medical scam caller with 117 of its 167 complaints specifically categorized as medical and prescriptions.
Neighbor Spoofing: 68% Target In-State
Across all 18 area codes, an average of 68% of complaints come from Florida residents receiving calls displaying Florida area codes. This is the hallmark of neighbor spoofing: scammers display a local-looking number to increase the likelihood that the recipient answers.
The in-state rate varies significantly by region.
| Highest In-State Targeting | % | Lowest In-State Targeting | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 850 Tallahassee | 74.3% | 689 Orlando overlay | 56.3% |
| 727 St. Petersburg | 74.1% | 239 Fort Myers | 58.3% |
| 352 Gainesville | 73.9% | 786 Miami | 61.1% |
| 813 Tampa | 72.6% | 754 Fort Lauderdale | 61.9% |
Northern and Gulf Coast area codes (850, 727, 352, 813) have the highest in-state targeting, suggesting they are predominantly used to target local Floridians. Southeast Florida area codes (689, 239, 786, 754) have lower in-state rates, indicating they are also being spoofed for out-of-state campaigns.
Florida vs. Other States
| State | Area Codes | Scam Numbers | FTC Complaints | Per Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 33 | 366,832 | 934,847 | 2.6 |
| Texas | 27 | 282,021 | 713,748 | 2.5 |
| New York | 20 | 252,869 | 640,949 | 2.5 |
| Florida | 18 | 237,504 | 622,746 | 2.6 |
| Ohio | 12 | 165,727 | 424,094 | 2.6 |
Florida ranks 4th in total volume but generates a disproportionate share relative to its 18 area codes. California has nearly double the area codes (33) but only 50% more complaints. Florida's 2.6 complaints per number matches California and exceeds Texas (2.5) and New York (2.5), showing that Florida scam numbers are more actively used before being cycled.
The FTC's Do Not Call Registry Data Book for fiscal year 2025 ranked Florida #5 nationally in DNC complaints per capita at 933 per 100,000 residents. The FTC Consumer Sentinel Network separately ranked Florida #1 per capita for combined fraud and identity theft, with 159,307 fraud cases and $866.1 million in losses during 2024.
What Floridians Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back or engaging. Florida has 237,504 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report every scam call to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352).
- Contact the Florida AG at 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) to report scam calls. Attorney General Ashley Moody's office has pursued enforcement against robocall facilitators, including a 49-state lawsuit against Avid Telecom for 24.5 billion illegal robocalls (619 million of which targeted Floridians on the Do Not Call Registry).
- Enable call screening on your carrier. AT&T ActiveArmor, T-Mobile Scam Shield, and Verizon Call Filter all offer free robocall screening for Florida customers.
- Be skeptical of medical and timeshare calls. These are Florida's top two distinctive scam categories. Medicare will never call you unsolicited to sell a plan, and legitimate timeshare companies do not cold-call with high-pressure offers.
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FAQ
Is Florida the #1 state for phone scams?
Florida ranks #4 in total FTC phone complaint volume (622,746) behind California (934,847), Texas (713,748), and New York (640,949). However, the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network ranked Florida #1 per capita for combined fraud and identity theft at 2,179 reports per 100,000 residents in 2024. Florida is also #5 per capita for Do Not Call complaints at 933 per 100,000 (FTC FY 2025). By any per-capita measure, Florida is the most targeted state in the country.
Why is Tampa Bay the scam call capital of Florida instead of Miami?
Tampa Bay's two area codes (813 and 727) combine for 90,238 FTC complaints, 43% more than Miami's two codes (305 and 786 at 63,264). Two factors explain this. First, Tampa Bay area codes have higher in-state targeting (73.4% vs. 66.2%), making them more effective for neighbor spoofing against Florida residents. Second, St. Petersburg ranks as the #2 U.S. city for robocall complaints per capita (700 per 100,000). The Tampa Bay metro's 3.2 million population provides enough density for neighbor spoofing while facing less carrier-level scrutiny than Miami.
What types of scams target Florida the most?
Medical and prescription scams lead with 59,692 complaints (55.2% robocall rate), followed by government/business impersonation at 53,159 and debt reduction at 37,747. Florida is unique in having timeshare scams as a top-6 category with 11,128 complaints, driven by the Orlando tourism market. The medical scam dominance is linked to Florida's 4.9 million residents over age 65, the second-largest senior population in the nation.
Are scam calls from Florida area codes actually coming from Florida?
In most cases, no. Caller ID spoofing allows any VoIP operation anywhere in the world to display a Florida area code. The 68% in-state targeting rate means scammers are deliberately choosing Florida area codes to call Florida residents (neighbor spoofing), but the calls themselves typically originate from VoIP infrastructure outside the state. Fort Myers (239) has only 58.3% in-state targeting, meaning over 40% of complaints involve out-of-state recipients, confirming nationwide spoofing campaigns using Florida numbers.
How do I know if a call from a Florida number is legitimate?
No single indicator can confirm a call is legitimate, but several red flags indicate a scam. The call is unsolicited and mentions Medicare, insurance, debt relief, or timeshare offers. The caller ID shows a Florida area code but the caller claims to be from a federal agency (the IRS and SSA do not initiate contact by phone). The caller pressures you to act immediately or provide personal information. If in doubt, hang up and verify by calling the organization directly using a number from their official website, not the number that called you. You can also check any number on ScamVerify's phone lookup to see if it has been reported.
