Key Findings
Tennessee is the #2 state in America for robocall complaints per capita and a leader in the national fight to stop them. ScamVerify™ analysis of 9.7 million FTC phone complaint records reveals 183,370 complaints from 73,584 unique scam numbers across 7 Tennessee area codes. The FTC ranked Tennessee #2 per capita at 1,017 complaints per 100,000 residents in 2025, behind only Arizona.
Tennessee's Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is co-leading Operation Robocall Roundup, the most aggressive multistate robocall enforcement initiative in the country. Phase 1 (August 2025) sent warnings to 37 voice service providers, resulting in 13 companies removed from the FCC's database and 19 others stopping illegal traffic. Phase 2 (December 2025) launched investigations into Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, and Peerless, which collectively facilitated 3.4 billion scam calls since 2020. Medical scams lead the state at 21,992 complaints, and Tennesseans lost $157 million to scams in 2024 and $12 million+ to government impersonation alone in 2025.
All 7 Tennessee Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per # | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 615 | Nashville | 19,176 | 47,465 | 2.5 | 74.6% | #27 |
| 2 | 423 | Chattanooga | 14,688 | 36,370 | 2.5 | 70.0% | #86 |
| 3 | 901 | Memphis | 11,219 | 28,919 | 2.6 | 66.4% | #148 |
| 4 | 865 | Knoxville | 10,439 | 25,081 | 2.4 | 78.3% | #181 |
| 5 | 731 | West Tennessee | 7,669 | 19,829 | 2.6 | 54.8% | #219 |
| 6 | 931 | Clarksville | 7,250 | 17,254 | 2.4 | 72.5% | #243 |
| 7 | 629 | Nashville (overlay) | 3,143 | 8,452 | 2.7 | 63.5% | #311 |
| Total | 73,584 | 183,370 | 2.5 avg | 68.6% avg |
Nashville's 615 leads at #27 nationally with 47,465 complaints. Memphis (901) was ranked #2 in the nation for robocalls per capita by AARP.
Nashville: Tennessee's Fastest-Growing Scam Target
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, with a metro population exceeding 2 million. That growth creates an expanding pool of new residents unfamiliar with local scam patterns.
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints | In-State % | Top Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 615 | Nashville | 47,465 | 74.6% | Medical (5,901) |
| 629 | Nashville (overlay) | 8,452 | 63.5% | Medical (889) |
| Nashville Total | 55,917 |
Nashville's two area codes generate 55,917 complaints, 30.5% of the state total. Medical scams lead both codes. The 629 overlay has lower in-state targeting (63.5% vs. 74.6%) and higher charities complaints (317), suggesting a mix of local targeting and out-of-state campaigns.
Nashville's entertainment industry creates a secondary scam vector: vacation and timeshare complaints reach 315 in 615, elevated by the tourism economy that draws 16 million+ visitors annually.
Memphis and the East-West Divide
Tennessee's geography creates distinct scam profiles across the state.
| Region | Area Codes | Complaints | Top Category | In-State % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 615, 629 | 55,917 | Medical | 72.5% |
| East TN | 423, 865 | 61,451 | Medical | 73.7% |
| Memphis | 901 | 28,919 | Medical | 66.4% |
| West/Central | 731, 931 | 37,083 | Debt (731), Medical (931) | 63.2% |
East Tennessee (423 Chattanooga + 865 Knoxville) generates the highest combined volume at 61,451 complaints. West Tennessee's 731 area code is the outlier: debt reduction leads at 2,889 complaints with an 85.4% robocall rate and only 54.8% in-state targeting, indicating it is being used for nationwide automated campaigns.
Medical Scams: Tennessee's #1 Threat
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical and prescriptions | 21,992 | 50.1% |
| 2 | Government/business impersonation | 15,570 | 57.3% |
| 3 | Debt reduction | 10,646 | 70.7% |
| 4 | Warranties and protection plans | 3,928 | 51.8% |
| 5 | Charities | 1,933 | 49.9% |
| 6 | Tech support | 1,118 | 54.6% |
| 7 | Vacation and timeshares | 974 | 24.0% |
| 8 | Home improvement and cleaning | 974 | 36.1% |
Medical scams lead by 41% over impersonation, one of the widest gaps in any state. The 50.1% robocall rate means medical scam calls in Tennessee are almost evenly split between automated and live-operator calls. Warranty scams rank #4 at 3,928 complaints, higher than in most states.
Tennesseans lost $12 million+ to government impersonation scams with 5,300+ reports in 2025. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) warned of scam texts and emails about fake rolling blackouts during winter storms, a seasonally targeted campaign unique to the TVA service area.
Top 10 Most Reported Tennessee Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (423) 822-2465 | 322 | Medical (31.1%) |
| 2 | (615) 450-7121 | 166 | Mixed |
| 3 | (731) 240-6850 | 158 | Mixed |
| 4 | (615) 281-6373 | 107 | Dropped calls (robocaller) |
| 5 | (901) 554-8439 | 104 | Mixed |
| 6 | (901) 329-1129 | 102 | Dropped calls (robocaller) |
| 7 | (423) 332-4600 | 102 | Mixed |
| 8 | (423) 564-8057 | 101 | Dropped calls (robocaller) |
| 9 | (615) 908-0343 | 91 | Mixed |
| 10 | (931) 650-4037 | 90 | Dropped calls (robocaller) |
(423) 822-2465 from Chattanooga leads Tennessee with 322 complaints, including 100 medical/prescription complaints (31.1%). Four of the top 10 numbers are pure robocallers leaving dropped calls/no messages, a hallmark of automated dialing systems that generate more outbound calls than they have operators to handle. Three numbers use 423 (Chattanooga), three use 615 (Nashville).
Operation Robocall Roundup: Tennessee Leads the Nation
AG Skrmetti's office co-leads the most significant robocall enforcement effort in the country.
Phase 1 (August 2025): 51 attorneys general sent warning letters to 37 voice service providers and 99 downstream carriers. Results: 13 companies removed from the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database, 19 stopped appearing in traceback results, 4+ terminated high-risk accounts.
Phase 2 (December 2025): Investigations launched into 4 of the largest voice providers in the US: Inteliquent (Sinch), Bandwidth Inc., Lumen Technologies, and Peerless Network (Infobip). These companies collectively facilitated 3.4 billion scam calls since 2020.
Tennessee receives an estimated 2+ billion robocalls per year (274 per person annually). The state's #2 per capita ranking combined with its leadership in enforcement creates a narrative of a state that is both heavily targeted and actively fighting back.
Neighbor Spoofing Analysis
| Highest In-State | % | Lowest In-State | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 865 Knoxville | 78.3% | 731 West TN | 54.8% |
| 615 Nashville | 74.6% | 629 Nashville overlay | 63.5% |
| 931 Clarksville | 72.5% | 901 Memphis | 66.4% |
| 423 Chattanooga | 70.0% |
Knoxville (865) has the highest in-state targeting at 78.3%, consistent with its role as a local-targeting zone. West Tennessee's 731 has the lowest at 54.8%, with debt reduction at 85.4% robocall rate confirming it is used for nationwide automated campaigns. Memphis (901) at 66.4% suggests a mix of local targeting and national spoofing.
Tennessee vs. Other States
| State | Area Codes | Complaints | Per Capita Rank | Unique Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 12 | 424,094 | #2 DNC | 3 codes in top 25 |
| Georgia | 10 | 306,594 | #3 fraud | #2 ID theft per capita |
| Tennessee | 7 | 183,370 | #2 robocall | Leads enforcement |
| North Carolina | 9 | 299,734 | N/A | AG leads Robocall Roundup |
Tennessee's 183,370 complaints from 7 area codes averages 26,196 per code, lower than Arizona's 42,677 but still substantial. The FBI Nashville field office reported $6.8 million+ in forfeitures and restitution across cybercrime and fraud cases in 2025.
What Tennesseans Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back. Tennessee has 73,584 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the TN AG at tn.gov/attorneygeneral or 615-741-1671.
- TVA never sends texts about outages. If you receive a text or email about power outages or rolling blackouts from TVA, it is a scam. Verify outage information at tva.com.
- Be skeptical of medical calls. Tennessee's #1 scam category is medical and prescriptions (21,992 complaints). Medicare never initiates unsolicited calls to sell plans.
- Support enforcement efforts. Tennessee's AG leads Operation Robocall Roundup, and consumer complaints directly fuel enforcement actions. Every report matters.
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FAQ
Is Tennessee the worst state for robocalls?
Tennessee ranks #2 per capita for robocall complaints at 1,017 per 100,000 residents (FTC 2025), behind only Arizona. By total volume, Tennessee ranks 14th nationally with 183,370 FTC complaints. The state receives an estimated 2+ billion robocalls per year (274 per person). Memphis was ranked #2 nationally for robocalls per capita by AARP.
What is Tennessee doing about phone scams?
Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti co-leads Operation Robocall Roundup, the nation's most aggressive multistate robocall enforcement. Phase 1 removed 13 companies from the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database. Phase 2 launched investigations into 4 of the largest voice service providers (Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, Peerless), which facilitated 3.4 billion scam calls since 2020. Tennessee is not just a victim state; it leads the enforcement response.
Which Tennessee area code gets the most scam calls?
615 Nashville leads with 47,465 complaints, ranking #27 nationally. Combined with its overlay 629 (8,452), the Nashville metro generates 55,917 complaints (30.5% of the state total). Chattanooga's 423 follows at 36,370 and Memphis's 901 at 28,919.
What types of scams target Tennesseans the most?
Medical and prescriptions lead with 21,992 complaints (50.1% robocall rate), followed by government/business impersonation at 15,570 and debt reduction at 10,646. Warranty scams rank #4 at 3,928. Tennesseans lost $157 million to scams in 2024 and $12 million+ to government impersonation in 2025. TVA utility impersonation campaigns targeting fake outage notifications are a Tennessee-specific threat.
How do I report a scam call in Tennessee?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Tennessee AG at tn.gov/attorneygeneral or call 615-741-1671. For TVA utility scams, report to TVA directly. Tennessee's AG office uses consumer complaints to build enforcement cases through Operation Robocall Roundup.
