Key Findings
Kentucky's scam story starts with one area code. The 502 Louisville area code ranks #17 nationally with 56,834 FTC complaints, a debt robocall rate of 89.0%, and just 46.7% in-state targeting, making it one of the most exploited area codes in America for nationwide automated scam campaigns. ScamVerify™ analysis of 9.7 million FTC phone complaint records reveals 147,981 total complaints from 61,888 unique scam numbers across 5 Kentucky area codes.
Debt reduction is the #1 scam category statewide at 21,791 complaints with an 86.8% robocall rate, the highest of any top category. The FBI Louisville field office reported 475 government impersonation IC3 complaints in 2025 with losses exceeding $3.15 million. Kentuckians lose an estimated $74 million annually to cybercriminals (FBI annual data). In response, Governor Andy Beshear launched the Kentucky Stop Scams Initiative (stopscams.ky.gov) in August 2025, partnering with the BBB and AARP Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police expanded the partnership in March 2026.
All 5 Kentucky Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per # | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 502 | Louisville | 23,163 | 56,834 | 2.5 | 46.7% | #17 |
| 2 | 270 | Bowling Green / Western KY | 16,507 | 37,887 | 2.3 | 57.5% | #101 |
| 3 | 859 | Lexington | 11,517 | 27,821 | 2.4 | 70.2% | #180 |
| 4 | 606 | Eastern Kentucky | 7,605 | 17,997 | 2.4 | 73.1% | #249 |
| 5 | 364 | Louisville (overlay) | 3,096 | 7,442 | 2.4 | 36.8% | #319 |
| Total | 61,888 | 147,981 | 2.4 avg | 56.9% avg |
The 502 area code alone generates 38.4% of all Kentucky scam complaints and ranks higher nationally than any Missouri, Wisconsin, or Minnesota area code. For the full deep-dive into 502's debt robocall operation, see ScamVerify's 502 Area Code: Louisville's Debt Robocall Hub.
Louisville: The National Debt Robocall Launchpad
Louisville's two area codes form the core of Kentucky's scam landscape.
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints | In-State % | #1 Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 502 | Louisville | 56,834 | 46.7% | Debt (12,183, 89.0% robocall) |
| 364 | Louisville (overlay) | 7,442 | 36.8% | Debt (1,765, 87.7% robocall) |
| Louisville Metro | 64,276 |
Louisville generates 64,276 complaints, 43.4% of the state total from just two area codes. Both codes share the same profile: debt reduction as the #1 category with 87-89% robocall rates and sub-47% in-state targeting. The 364 overlay has just 36.8% in-state targeting, meaning nearly two-thirds of its scam calls reach people outside Kentucky.
The Louisville metro ranks alongside 315 Syracuse (35.3% in-state, 92.5% debt robocall) and 518 Albany (36%, 92.7%) as a primary hub for nationwide automated debt campaigns. Scammers choose mid-market area codes like 502 because they have deep VoIP number inventory with less carrier-level scrutiny than major metro codes.
Lexington and Eastern Kentucky: Different Profiles
Moving east, the scam profile shifts from nationwide debt campaigns to local medical targeting.
| Area Code | Region | Complaints | In-State % | #1 Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 859 | Lexington | 27,821 | 70.2% | Medical (4,147, 69.5% robocall) |
| 606 | Eastern KY / Ashland | 17,997 | 73.1% | Medical (2,957, 60.2% robocall) |
Lexington (859) has medical as its #1 category at 4,147 complaints with a 69.5% robocall rate and 70.2% in-state targeting. This is the opposite of Louisville's profile: higher in-state targeting with medical scams dominant, indicating neighbor spoofing against local Kentuckians rather than nationwide campaign usage.
Eastern Kentucky (606) has the highest in-state targeting in the state at 73.1% with medical leading at 2,957 complaints. Tech support scams have an 87.3% robocall rate in the 859 area code, the highest of any category in any Kentucky area code.
In February 2026, the Fayette County Sheriff's office warned about scammers posing as the chief deputy, demanding prepaid card payments for fake warrants.
Kentucky's Scam Category Profile
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Debt reduction | 21,791 | 86.8% |
| 2 | Medical and prescriptions | 19,760 | 63.3% |
| 3 | Government/business impersonation | 13,409 | 69.3% |
| 4 | Warranties and protection plans | 4,002 | 71.7% |
| 5 | Charities | 1,252 | 56.4% |
| 6 | Tech support | 979 | 72.1% |
| 7 | Energy, solar, and utilities | 945 | 62.6% |
| 8 | Home security and alarms | 807 | 61.1% |
Debt reduction leads by 10% over medical (21,791 vs. 19,760), driven almost entirely by the Louisville area codes. The 86.8% statewide debt robocall rate means nearly 9 in 10 debt calls from Kentucky numbers are pre-recorded automated messages. Home security ranks #8 with 807 complaints, elevated by 270 Western Kentucky (230 complaints at 58.7% robocall rate).
The FTC ranked debt reduction as the #1 DNC complaint category nationally with 446,243 complaints in FY 2025. Kentucky's 21,791 debt complaints represent a disproportionate share for a state of 4.5 million people.
The KYTC Text Scam
In March 2026, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) warned about a surge of fraudulent text messages impersonating the agency. Texts claimed recipients had unpaid traffic tickets and included suspicious links mimicking Kentucky government URLs. The KYTC confirmed it never collects fees or notifies residents by text about violations.
Simultaneously, Kentucky State Police warned about impersonation texts threatening vehicle impoundment and arrest for unpaid violations. These campaigns are part of a nationwide smishing pattern that also hit Wisconsin (fake DOT toll texts) and South Carolina (fake SCDMV texts).
Top 10 Most Reported Kentucky Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (502) 301-1970 | 213 | Medical (48), mixed |
| 2 | (502) 301-1989 | 179 | Mixed |
| 3 | (502) 557-4483 | 124 | Medical (100%) |
| 4 | (502) 943-0923 | 106 | Medical (98.1%) |
| 5 | (502) 476-0053 | 104 | Mixed |
| 6 | (502) 461-8033 | 98 | Charities (51%) |
| 7 | (606) 235-5179 | 85 | Mixed |
| 8 | (859) 216-3355 | 79 | Mixed |
| 9 | (502) 557-4469 | 76 | Medical (100%) |
| 10 | (502) 586-5050 | 76 | Mixed |
Eight of the top 10 numbers use the 502 Louisville area code. (502) 301-1970 and (502) 301-1989 form a sequential pair (502-301-19xx) with 392 combined complaints, consistent with VoIP block acquisition. (502) 557-4483 and (502) 557-4469 are another sequential pair with 200 combined complaints at 100% medical scam concentration. Despite debt reduction being the #1 category by volume, the top individual numbers skew heavily toward medical scams, suggesting two distinct operations: a high-volume automated debt system cycling through thousands of numbers, and a more targeted medical operation reusing specific numbers intensively.
Neighbor Spoofing: Louisville vs. The Rest
| Highest In-State | % | Lowest In-State | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 606 Eastern KY | 73.1% | 364 Louisville overlay | 36.8% |
| 859 Lexington | 70.2% | 502 Louisville | 46.7% |
| 270 Bowling Green | 57.5% |
Kentucky has the sharpest in-state split of any state in our series. Eastern Kentucky (73.1%) and Lexington (70.2%) are local targeting zones where scammers spoof numbers to call Kentuckians. Louisville's two codes (46.7% and 36.8%) are nationwide campaign vehicles where the majority of complaints come from people outside Kentucky receiving calls displaying Louisville numbers.
Kentucky vs. Other States
| State | Area Codes | Complaints | Unique Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 5 | 154,317 | New $10K spoofing law |
| Missouri | 6 | 149,228 | AG leads Robocall Roundup |
| Kentucky | 5 | 147,981 | 502 at #17, 86.8% debt robocall |
| Indiana | 7 | 143,882 | #1 robocall increase nationally |
Kentucky's distinction is the concentration of scam activity in a single area code. Louisville's 502 generates more complaints than any area code in Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, or Indiana. Only 44% of U.S. phone companies have fully implemented STIR/SHAKEN call authentication (PIRG, 2025), down from 47% in 2024, which directly enables the spoofing operations using 502 numbers.
What Kentuckians Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back. Kentucky has 61,888 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the KY AG at 1-888-432-9257 or ag.ky.gov.
- Visit stopscams.ky.gov for the Kentucky Stop Scams Initiative, launched by Governor Beshear with BBB and AARP Kentucky. KSP expanded the partnership in March 2026.
- Verify LG&E and KU communications directly. Solar installers claiming to work for LG&E/KU are impersonating the utility. LG&E never sends representatives to sell solar panels. Contact LG&E at 502-589-1444.
- The KYTC never contacts you by text about traffic tickets. Any text claiming unpaid violations with a link to a payment portal is a scam.
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FAQ
Why does Kentucky's 502 area code rank so high nationally?
Area code 502 ranks #17 with 56,834 complaints despite Louisville's metro population of approximately 1.4 million. It is being used as a launchpad for nationwide debt reduction robocall campaigns. Only 46.7% of complaints come from Kentucky residents, and debt reduction has an 89.0% robocall rate. Mid-market area codes like 502 offer deep VoIP number inventory with less carrier scrutiny than major metro codes. For the full analysis, see ScamVerify's 502 Area Code deep dive.
What is the Kentucky Stop Scams Initiative?
Launched in August 2025 by Governor Andy Beshear with the BBB and AARP Kentucky, the Stop Scams Initiative (stopscams.ky.gov) is a public awareness and education partnership. Kentucky State Police expanded the program in March 2026. The initiative includes the Bluegrass Beat Podcast, which covered phone scam awareness in April 2026. The AG's Consumer Protection hotline is 1-888-432-9257.
What types of scams target Kentucky the most?
Debt reduction leads with 21,791 complaints at an 86.8% robocall rate, driven by Louisville's automated campaign operations. Medical and prescriptions are #2 at 19,760 (63.3%), and government impersonation is #3 at 13,409 (69.3%). The FBI Louisville field office reported 475 government impersonation IC3 complaints in 2025 with $3.15 million in losses. LG&E/KU solar installer impersonation is an active local threat.
What is the KYTC text message scam?
In March 2026, fraudulent texts impersonated the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, claiming recipients had unpaid traffic tickets with links to fake payment portals mimicking KY government URLs. The KYTC confirmed it never collects fees or notifies residents by text about violations. Kentucky State Police simultaneously warned about texts threatening vehicle impoundment and arrest. This is part of a nationwide campaign also hitting Wisconsin and South Carolina.
How do I report a scam call in Kentucky?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Kentucky AG at 1-888-432-9257 or ag.ky.gov. For government impersonation scams, also file with the FBI at ic3.gov. Visit stopscams.ky.gov for the Kentucky Stop Scams Initiative. For LG&E utility scams, contact LG&E directly at 502-589-1444.
