Is the area code 325 spam?

325 is the area code covering Abilene and San Angelo in Texas. Are all calls and text messages coming from this area code spam? No, they aren’t. Unless you live in South Dakota, that is—read on to find out why.

Dorota Martin

What is area code 325?

Area code 325 is a telephone code that covers towns and counties located in central Texas, US. It includes cities like Abilene and San Agnelo, and was created in 2003 in a split from area code 915.

Are calls originating from area code 325 spam calls?

Area code 325 is just an area code like any other. According to the data published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 325 is not among the area codes most frequently associated with spam across the US. 

That said, there are two states where the 325 area code is reported as spam more often: South Dakota, where it ranks 10th, and Texas, where it’s the 16th most frequently reported source of spam.

In other words, you could be more suspicious of this area code if you live somewhere around Pierre (SD) or San Angelo (TX).

Related: How to block an area code

What are the top 10 area codes residents of South Dakota report as spam? Here’s the list:

Do you want to find the most frequently reported area codes where you live? Check our article on spam area codes which includes an updated list. 

Which phone numbers starting with area code 325 are reported the most?

Certain numbers are reported repeatedly among the numerous spam calls originating from the 786 area code. Below is a list of the most frequently reported 325 numbers:

What are spam calls from 325 usually about?

According to data from the FTC, spam calls from the 325 area code predominantly involve medical and prescription offers, which make up about 8.13% of such calls. Calls imitating government officials, businesses, or family and friends are also significant, accounting for 6.70%. Calls about debt reduction for credit cards, mortgages, and student loans constitute around 4.31% of all reported calls. Other common topics include warranties, protection plans, and charity appeals, each constituting 1.59% of the calls. Additional subjects include energy, solar, and utility solutions (1.12%), home security and alarms (0.96%), and vacation and timeshare offers (0.4%).

68.80% of spam calls in Texas originate from Texas itself

Current data don’t back most online advice about spam area codes. An Incogni study, based on FTC data, shows that so-called “spam area codes” vary by state. There’s no single, nationwide spam area code list.

Instead, each state receives spam and scam calls from different phone numbers. How do we know this? People who registered their number with the National Do Not Call Registry can file a complaint whenever they receive an unwanted call despite their number being on the list. By analyzing this data, we discovered that scammers use different area codes for each state. In fact, 59.81% of all spam calls reported to the FTC originate from the same state as the call recipient. 

If we look at the data reported in Texas, 68.80% of spam calls come from within the state, above the national average. In other words, Texans face a higher risk of receiving calls classified as spam from local area codes.

Caller ID spoofing—how to make it look like a local call

Neighbor (or caller ID) spoofing is a deceptive technique in which scammers manipulate caller ID to make it look like a call is coming from a local number. The purpose is to create a false sense of familiarity, making the victim believe the call is from a neighbor, local business, or service provider. 

If almost 70% of all unwanted calls in Texas come from local areas, it’s most likely because the people behind these calls use spoofing to improve the chances of their calls being picked up.

How to recognize and block spam calls on your cell phone

When an unknown caller rings your cell phone, it’s best not to answer. Avoid interacting with unknown numbers and let them go to voicemail instead. Legitimate callers will typically leave a message. If you did pick up, hang up as soon as you realize the call could be a scam without saying anything or engaging with the caller.

Regardless of whether you answered the call, you can block future calls and texts from the same number using your device’s built-in privacy settings. This feature is available on both iOS and Android phones.

Read our complete guide on how to stop spam on iPhone, Android, and landline.

How to manage spam text messages 

Fraudulent text messages usually contain links asking for payment and appear to come from companies or government agencies. Read the message, but don’t click on any links, as these may take you to a fraudulent website. If the text appears legitimate, confirm its authenticity by checking the company’s official site or contacting their official customer service department.

To learn more, check our article on how to stop spam texts on Android & iPhone.

Find out how to report spam texts in our dedicated article.

Internet hygiene: prevent spam calls from happening

Preventing spam calls is possible and the power is in your hands to a large extent. Be more careful about how much information you share online. Ideally, stop sharing it at all. The content you share on social media can also be viewed by criminals and help them craft successful scams, while your contact details can easily be found on people search sites.

Make sure to update your privacy settings to protect your sensitive data from being exposed. Additionally, consider contacting websites and people search sites to request the removal of your personal information.

For comprehensive, step-by-step instructions, read our guide on how to remove personal information from the internet.

Alternatively, try Incogni’s data removal solution and save hours on manual removal requests by letting us do the legwork for you. 

Other area codes often considered spam:

• Is area code 276 spam?
• Is area code 561 spam?
• Is area code 929 spam?
• Is area code 786 spam?
• Is area code 470 spam?