Key Findings
New Jersey is the densest state in the United States at 1,263 people per square mile. That density translates directly to scam exposure: more phones per square mile than any other state. ScamVerify™ analysis of 9.7 million FTC phone complaint records reveals 261,447 complaints from 99,467 unique scam numbers across 9 New Jersey area codes. The state ranks 11th nationally.
New Jersey has two distinctive patterns. First, energy and utility scams are the #4 category with 13,646 complaints, the second-highest utility scam concentration of any state in our series (behind Pennsylvania at 14,513). PSE&G impersonation drives this, including scammers who show up at homes in fake utility worker uniforms. Second, the 609 Trenton area code ranks #29 nationally with 47,022 complaints, another state capital area code outperforming its metro population. Avid Telecom alone placed 237 million illegal calls to New Jersey numbers before the multistate lawsuit shut them down.
All 9 New Jersey Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per # | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 609 | Trenton/Atlantic City | 18,488 | 47,022 | 2.5 | 63.2% | #29 |
| 2 | 201 | Jersey City/Bergen | 15,255 | 41,492 | 2.7 | 61.3% | #53 |
| 3 | 732 | Central NJ | 14,443 | 38,166 | 2.6 | 74.8% | #76 |
| 4 | 973 | Newark/North NJ | 12,266 | 32,131 | 2.6 | 77.6% | #116 |
| 5 | 908 | Somerset/Hunterdon | 11,692 | 29,810 | 2.5 | 69.2% | #136 |
| 6 | 856 | South NJ/Camden | 9,701 | 24,344 | 2.5 | 64.0% | #189 |
| 7 | 551 | Hudson County (overlay) | 8,354 | 23,484 | 2.8 | 50.2% | #195 |
| 8 | 862 | Newark (overlay) | 5,082 | 13,272 | 2.6 | 57.9% | #273 |
| 9 | 848 | Central NJ (overlay) | 4,186 | 11,726 | 2.8 | 54.4% | #290 |
| Total | 99,467 | 261,447 | 2.6 avg | 63.6% avg |
The 609 Trenton/Atlantic City area code leads the state with 47,022 complaints, ranking #29 nationally. 201 Jersey City follows at #53. Both the 551 and 848 overlay codes have elevated 2.8 complaints-per-number ratios, indicating more aggressive number reuse by scam operations.
The NYC Spillover Effect
New Jersey's northern area codes sit directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan. This geographic proximity creates a unique cross-state scam dynamic.
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints | In-State % | NYC Proximity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Jersey City/Bergen | 41,492 | 61.3% | Direct (PATH train) |
| 551 | Hudson overlay | 23,484 | 50.2% | Direct |
| 973 | Newark/North NJ | 32,131 | 77.6% | Adjacent |
| 862 | Newark overlay | 13,272 | 57.9% | Adjacent |
| North NJ Total | 110,379 |
North Jersey's four area codes generate 110,379 complaints, 42% of the state total. The 201 and 551 codes (covering Jersey City, Hoboken, Bergen County) have lower in-state targeting (61.3% and 50.2%) than central and south NJ codes. NYC scam campaigns that use Manhattan-originating infrastructure frequently spill over into North Jersey numbers, especially the overlay codes.
For NYC-specific context, see ScamVerify's New York Phone Scam Report 2026.
Energy and Utility Scams: NJ's #4 Category
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government/business impersonation | 21,809 | 58.9% |
| 2 | Medical and prescriptions | 19,405 | 57.5% |
| 3 | Debt reduction | 18,388 | 76.7% |
| 4 | Energy, solar, and utilities | 13,646 | 54.1% |
| 5 | Warranties and protection plans | 4,677 | 52.8% |
| 6 | Home improvement and cleaning | 3,252 | 48.1% |
| 7 | Charities | 2,761 | 46.3% |
| 8 | Tech support | 1,726 | 56.2% |
Energy/utility scams at 13,646 complaints represent 5.2% of New Jersey's total, the highest utility scam share of any state we have profiled. The 54.1% robocall rate means nearly half of utility scam calls use live operators, making them harder to filter. PSE&G, New Jersey's largest utility, is the primary impersonation target. In March 2026, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office warned of scammers dressed as utility workers knocking on doors, a tactic that goes beyond phone spoofing into physical impersonation.
The 201 Jersey City area code has the most utility complaints of any NJ code (3,384 at 78.5% robocall rate), followed by 732 Central NJ (2,662) and 609 Trenton (2,273).
Top 10 Most Reported New Jersey Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (732) 776-9777 | 548 | Impersonation, mixed |
| 2 | (908) 829-0335 | 265 | Mixed |
| 3 | (609) 800-9110 | 166 | Tech support (47%), impersonation |
| 4 | (551) 302-1482 | 143 | Mixed |
| 5 | (848) 237-1545 | 136 | Warranties, home improvement |
| 6 | (732) 313-6629 | 104 | Mixed |
| 7 | (973) 963-4247 | 103 | Mixed |
| 8 | (908) 452-8251 | 100 | Mixed |
| 9 | (551) 377-2401 | 100 | Debt reduction |
| 10 | (732) 285-6502 | 95 | Mixed |
(732) 776-9777 leads all NJ numbers with 548 complaints, nearly double the #2 number. (609) 800-9110 from Trenton is notable for its tech support scam focus: 78 of 166 complaints (47%) are for computer and technical support, with another 38 for government impersonation. (848) 237-1545 targets homeowners with a mix of warranty (36 complaints) and home improvement (34) pitches.
Neighbor Spoofing: The Density Factor
| Highest In-State | % | Lowest In-State | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 973 Newark | 77.6% | 551 Hudson overlay | 50.2% |
| 732 Central NJ | 74.8% | 848 Central overlay | 54.4% |
| 908 Somerset | 69.2% | 862 Newark overlay | 57.9% |
| 215 Philadelphia | 69.5% | 201 Jersey City | 61.3% |
New Jersey's statewide average of 63.6% in-state targeting is lower than most states (Ohio: 72.1%, Illinois: 71.8%, Michigan: 72.1%). This likely reflects the NYC spillover effect: NJ area codes are spoofed for campaigns targeting both NJ residents and NYC-area recipients.
New Jersey's population density (1,263/sq mi) means that a scammer spoofing any NJ area code reaches a high concentration of potential victims per call. Even the least-dense NJ area codes cover more people per square mile than the densest area codes in many other states.
New Jersey vs. Other States
| State | Area Codes | Scam Numbers | FTC Complaints | Utility Scam % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 122,383 | 300,919 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 114,889 | 299,734 | 0.9% |
| Michigan | 11 | 100,209 | 264,487 | 1.1% |
| New Jersey | 9 | 99,467 | 261,447 | 5.2% |
| Virginia | 7 | 95,534 | 245,565 | 0.7% |
New Jersey has the highest utility scam share (5.2%) and the fewest area codes relative to its complaint volume among this tier. AG Matthew Platkin launched the "Fighting Fraud" awareness program and joined the multistate lawsuit against Avid Telecom, which placed 237 million illegal calls to NJ numbers (out of 7.5 billion nationally).
What New Jerseyans Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back. New Jersey has 99,467 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846.
- Verify utility communications. PSE&G (1-800-436-7734) and JCP&L never threaten disconnection by phone or demand immediate payment by gift card. If someone appears at your door in a utility uniform, ask for official ID and call the utility to verify before allowing entry.
- Be aware of the NYC spillover. If you have a 201 or 551 area code, you may receive scam calls originating from NYC-area operations. Treat unknown calls from all NJ and NYC area codes with equal caution.
- Use the AG's Fighting Fraud resources. The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs provides complaint filing and fraud awareness at njconsumeraffairs.gov.
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FAQ
Why does Trenton (609) lead New Jersey for scam calls?
The 609 area code covers both Trenton (state capital) and Atlantic City (gaming/tourism hub), a combination that makes 609 numbers useful for both government impersonation and leisure-related scam pitches. With 47,022 complaints ranking #29 nationally, 609 follows the pattern of state capital area codes outperforming their metro populations (similar to 717 Harrisburg in PA and 217 Springfield in IL).
Why are utility scams so high in New Jersey?
Energy and utility scams account for 13,646 complaints (5.2% of NJ total), the highest share of any state in our series. PSE&G is the primary impersonation target. The 54.1% robocall rate means nearly half use live operators. In March 2026, scammers escalated to physical impersonation, with individuals dressed as utility workers appearing at homes in Middlesex County. NJ's high population density means each utility impersonation campaign reaches more potential victims per square mile.
How does New York City affect New Jersey's scam patterns?
North Jersey area codes (201, 551, 973, 862) sit across the Hudson from Manhattan and generate 110,379 complaints (42% of the state total). The 201 and 551 codes have lower in-state targeting (61.3% and 50.2%) than central/south NJ codes, indicating NYC scam infrastructure spills over into NJ numbers. Scammers operating from NYC-based VoIP systems frequently acquire NJ numbers to expand their spoofing range.
What types of scams are most common in New Jersey?
Government/business impersonation leads with 21,809 complaints (58.9% robocall rate), followed by medical at 19,405, debt reduction at 18,388, and energy/utility at 13,646. Home security scams (1,183 complaints at 74.8% robocall rate) are also elevated. The mix is more evenly distributed than states where a single category dominates.
How many illegal robocalls targeted New Jersey from Avid Telecom?
Avid Telecom placed 237 million illegal calls to New Jersey numbers as part of a nationwide operation totaling 7.5 billion calls. AG Platkin joined 46 other attorneys general in the lawsuit against Avid Telecom. The company was ultimately shut down, but the volume of calls illustrates the scale of the nationwide robocall infrastructure targeting NJ residents.
