Phone scams are a nationwide problem, but residents in some states are being targeted more often than others, according to a new survey.
Con artists have clearly put Ohio in their sights, according to the study, published by SMS marketing platform TextLa: In 2024, residents of the Buckeye State filed 102,114 complaints about scam calls and texts to the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission.
That's equal to about 859 complaints per 100,000 residents, the highest ratio of any state. The ranking is based on a review of more than two million reports filed with the FCC and FTC last year.
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The 10 worst states for scam calls and texts
9. Colorado
719 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: Taxes, debt relief
8. New Hampshire
721 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: Medicare
7. California
749 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: Credit card debt relief, Social Security, job offers
6. North Carolina
750 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: IRS, unpaid tolls
5/5. (TIED) Virginia and Nebraska
764 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: Debt collection, taxes, utility companies
4. Arizona
781 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: Medicare
3. Delaware
850 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: Banks, government agencies
2. Illinois
831 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: jobs, investments
1. Ohio
859 complaints per 100,000 people
Common scams: Tolls, IRS, health insurance
According to the study, these states may be getting singled out because they have large population centers, favorable regulations or a high number of seniors and other desirable demographics.
The authors did admit the data could also be a result of residents in those states being more proactive in reporting spam to government agencies.
Unsurprisingly, the state least bothered by phone scams is Alaska, with just 277 reports per 100,000 residents.
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Anyone can fall prey to a scammer, but screening your texts and avoiding clicking on links or sharing personal information is the first line of defense. You can also subscribe to an identity theft protection service that scans the dark web for signs of your information being misused.
Top options like Aura and IdentityForce® include credit monitoring and identity theft insurance, which can pay out up to $1 million to help you recoup legal fees, lost wages and other expenses.
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Call-blocking apps like Truecaller, Hiya and Nomorobo can provide additional protection, as can signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry.
Be sure to report any fraud attempts to the FCC and FTC: The more complaints that are registered, the more resources will be directed toward the problem.
Any unsolicited message could come from a fraudster. But if you think you might really have unpaid parking tickets or that UPS is indeed trying to re-deliver a package, there are some telltale signs:
1. Requests for personal data: If someone asks for your Social Security number, birth date or other personal details, it's a strong sign of a scam.
2. Sense of urgency: If the message underscores how little time there is to respond, that should be a major red flag.
3. Misspellings or unusual language: A scammer may not pay attention to details or try to breach filters with intentional misspellings.
4. Posing as a government official: The easiest way to get someone to respond is to claim to be from the IRS, FBI or another federal or state agency. But government officials would never call or text you for personal information or money.
5. Suspicious links: Avoid clicking on a link in a text message, especially if it's a company or individual you haven't done business with before. If the message is legitimate, you should be able to go to the site and log in to find out information.
If your bank has put your debit card on hold, for example, that will pop up on your account page.
Identity theft protection services monitor databases for signs of your personally identifiable information, such as your Social Security number, driver's license and bank account numbers.
You'll receive an alert if your PII appears on social media, court records, requests for new utility service, loan applications, check-cashing requests, the dark web and more.
Text scam FAQs
How do I report a scam text message?
To report a scam text message, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). This will help your wireless provider identify and block similar messages. You should also report it to the FTC.
What is identity theft protection?
Identity theft protection services scan databases for your personally identifiable information, such as your Social Security number, driver’s license and bank account numbers.
Can you get scammed by opening a text message?
Just opening or looking at a message won't compromise your device or data. If you click on a provided link or text back information, you are at risk of malware infection or identity theft.
What is the National Do Not Call Registry?
Started in 2003, the National Do Not Call Registry is a government database of phone numbers from individuals and families who have requested not to be contacted by telemarketers. Being on the registry won't make you immune to scams, but it can help limit how widely circulated your number is.
According to the FTC, there were 254 million active registrations on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry in September 2024.
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