Key Findings
Texas is the #1 state for area code spoofing in America. ScamVerify™ analysis of 8 million+ threat records reveals 26 Texas area codes appearing in FTC complaint data, with a combined 36,517 unique scam numbers and 209,393 total complaints. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex alone contributes 4 area codes and 49,000+ complaints. Texas's 30 million population, 26 active area codes, and high VoIP number availability make it the ideal state for scammers running neighbor-spoofing operations at scale.
All 26 Texas Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 469 | Dallas metro | 2,943 | 17,635 | 50% |
| 2 | 254 | Waco/Killeen | 2,397 | 16,928 | 60% |
| 3 | 512 | Austin | 2,785 | 16,376 | 53% |
| 4 | 817 | Fort Worth | 2,421 | 13,734 | 54% |
| 5 | 210 | San Antonio | 2,166 | 12,841 | 52% |
| 6 | 214 | Dallas | 1,837 | 10,924 | 48% |
| 7 | 713 | Houston | 1,920 | 10,813 | 49% |
| 8 | 281 | Houston suburbs | 1,742 | 9,876 | 51% |
| 9 | 832 | Houston overlay | 1,658 | 9,432 | 50% |
| 10 | 972 | Dallas suburbs | 1,589 | 9,108 | 47% |
| 11 | 903 | East Texas | 1,487 | 8,653 | 55% |
| 12 | 936 | Huntsville/Lufkin | 1,324 | 7,890 | 57% |
| 13 | 940 | Denton/Wichita Falls | 1,256 | 7,234 | 54% |
| 14 | 956 | Rio Grande Valley | 1,198 | 6,987 | 53% |
| 15 | 361 | Corpus Christi | 1,134 | 6,543 | 56% |
| 16 | 325 | Abilene/San Angelo | 1,087 | 6,234 | 58% |
| 17 | 806 | Amarillo/Lubbock | 1,045 | 5,987 | 55% |
| 18 | 915 | El Paso | 978 | 5,654 | 52% |
| 19 | 830 | Hill Country | 934 | 5,432 | 54% |
| 20 | 979 | Bryan/College Station | 876 | 4,987 | 56% |
| 21 | 682 | Fort Worth overlay | 823 | 4,654 | 51% |
| 22 | 346 | Houston overlay | 789 | 4,321 | 49% |
| 23 | 430 | East Texas overlay | 654 | 3,765 | 53% |
| 24 | 737 | Austin overlay | 612 | 3,432 | 50% |
| 25 | 945 | Dallas overlay | 478 | 2,654 | 48% |
| 26 | 726 | San Antonio overlay | 384 | 1,499 | 47% |
| Total | 36,517 | 209,393 | 52% avg |
The Dallas-Fort Worth Epicenter
Four area codes serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Together, they form the highest-complaint metro region in the country.
| Area Code | Coverage | Numbers | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 469 | Dallas metro (overlay) | 2,943 | 17,635 |
| 214 | Dallas (original) | 1,837 | 10,924 |
| 817 | Fort Worth | 2,421 | 13,734 |
| 972 | Dallas suburbs | 1,589 | 9,108 |
| DFW Total | 8,790 | 51,401 |
DFW accounts for 24.6% of all Texas scam complaints from 24.1% of the state's scam numbers. The metroplex's 7.6 million population makes it a prime target for neighbor spoofing. A call from a 469 or 214 number feels local to DFW residents, increasing the likelihood they will answer.
Houston: Three Codes, 30,000+ Complaints
Houston's three area codes combine for the second-highest metro total.
| Area Code | Coverage | Numbers | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 713 | Houston (original) | 1,920 | 10,813 |
| 281 | Houston suburbs | 1,742 | 9,876 |
| 832 | Houston (overlay) | 1,658 | 9,432 |
| 346 | Houston (newest overlay) | 789 | 4,321 |
| Houston Total | 6,109 | 34,442 |
Houston's 7.1 million metro population and four area codes give scammers extensive options for neighbor spoofing. The 346 area code, the newest Houston overlay, has the lowest complaint count (4,321) but is growing as scammers move to less-flagged number ranges.
Why Texas Leads the Nation
Five factors make Texas the most-exploited state for area code spoofing.
1. Population scale. Texas is the second most-populated state with 30.5 million residents. More people means more potential victims and more area codes to spoof from.
2. 26 active area codes. No other state has as many area codes in active use. California has 36 area codes but spread across a more geographically diverse population. Texas's area codes map neatly to major metro regions, making each one effective for targeted neighbor spoofing.
3. VoIP number availability. Texas area codes have deep inventory with VoIP providers. Numbers can be provisioned in bulk for pennies each, with no requirement that the purchaser be located in Texas.
4. Multiple major metros. DFW (7.6M), Houston (7.1M), San Antonio (2.6M), and Austin (2.3M) each have their own area codes. A single scam operation can target each metro with location-appropriate spoofed numbers.
5. Lower robocall rate signals sophistication. The 52% average robocall rate across Texas area codes is notably lower than toll-free area codes (86% to 91%). This suggests a higher proportion of live-operator calls blended with robocalls, which are harder for carrier filters to detect and block.
Texas vs. Other States
| State | Area Codes in FTC Data | Total Scam Numbers | Total Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 26 | 36,517 | 209,393 |
| New York | 14 | 5,397 | 31,428 |
| California | 36 | ~8,200 | ~42,000 |
| Florida | 18 | ~6,900 | ~35,000 |
Texas generates 5x more complaints than New York (the state with the highest single-area-code spoofing via 315 Syracuse) and significantly more than California despite having fewer area codes. The combination of large metro populations and high area code density makes Texas uniquely vulnerable.
Rural vs. Urban: The Robocall Rate Gap
An interesting pattern emerges when comparing urban and rural Texas area codes.
| Type | Area Codes | Avg Numbers | Avg Complaints | Avg Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major metro (DFW, HOU, SA, AUS) | 10 | 2,003 | 11,337 | 50% |
| Mid-size city | 8 | 1,282 | 7,276 | 55% |
| Rural/small city | 8 | 773 | 4,432 | 54% |
Urban area codes have lower robocall rates (50%) but higher total volume. Rural area codes have higher robocall rates (54% to 55%) but fewer total complaints. This suggests urban-targeted scams more frequently use live operators or sophisticated IVR systems, while rural-targeted scams rely more heavily on pre-recorded robocalls.
The Waco/Killeen Outlier
Area code 254 (Waco/Killeen) ranks #2 in Texas by complaints (16,928) despite covering a much smaller population than DFW or Houston. Waco metro has approximately 277,000 residents and Killeen-Temple has 475,000. The 60% robocall rate, the highest among the top 5 Texas area codes, and disproportionate complaint volume suggest concentrated scam infrastructure targeting this region. Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), the largest active-duty military installation in the United States, is within the 254 area code. Military populations are frequently targeted by debt-related scams due to the prevalence of predatory lending around military bases.
What Texans Can Do
- Treat local-looking calls with skepticism. A call from your own area code is no more trustworthy than any other. Scammers specifically choose your area code to make you answer.
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back or engaging
- Report every scam call to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Texas-specific complaint data strengthens state-level enforcement by the Texas Attorney General.
- Enable call screening on your carrier. AT&T ActiveArmor, T-Mobile Scam Shield, and Verizon Call Filter all offer free robocall screening.
- Register on the Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov if you have not already. While it does not stop illegal robocalls, it establishes a legal basis for enforcement.
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FAQ
Are the scam calls actually coming from Texas?
In most cases, no. Caller ID spoofing allows any VoIP operation anywhere in the world to display a Texas area code. The spoofed number is chosen to match the recipient's region (neighbor spoofing), not the caller's actual location. A call displaying a 469 (Dallas) number could originate from an overseas call center or a domestic VoIP server in any state.
Why does Texas have so many more complaints than other large states like California?
Three factors. First, Texas has 26 area codes with deep VoIP number availability, making bulk acquisition easy. Second, Texas's four major metros (DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Austin) each have 2 to 4 area codes, giving scammers multiple options for targeted spoofing. Third, the 52% robocall rate (lower than toll-free) suggests more sophisticated operations blending live calls with automation, which generate more complaints per campaign.
What is the FTC doing about Texas-based scam numbers?
The FTC and Texas Attorney General have filed enforcement actions against companies facilitating robocalls, including VoIP providers that knowingly carry scam traffic. In 2025, the FCC ordered several carriers to stop carrying traffic from specific originating networks linked to debt reduction robocalls. However, enforcement lags behind the volume: 209,393 complaints across 36,517 numbers far exceeds the pace of individual enforcement actions.
Is there a pattern to when Texas scam calls peak?
ScamVerify data shows Texas area code scam calls follow the same national pattern: highest volume during weekday business hours (9am to 5pm Central), with peaks on Tuesday through Thursday. Scam call volume drops 40% to 60% on weekends. Seasonal peaks occur during tax season (January through April) and the holiday shopping season (November through December).
