Who gets the most spam calls: A ranking of every state
wisely // Shutterstock
Who gets the most spam calls: A ranking of every state
A close-up of someone’s hand holding a phone while receiving a spam call.
Gone are the days when a phone ringing off the hook signaled popularity.
Unwanted calls are the most common complaint to the Federal Communication Commission. So far this year, people in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have reported more than 41,000 unwanted calls.
Spam calls come in many forms, including robocalls that use automatic dialing software to quickly call a list of numbers and send a pre-recorded message or use an artificial voice to make their pitch. The robots are busy, too—the FCC notes that robocallers make about 4 billion calls a month.
Robocalls have become such a nuisance that many people have stopped answering their phones. This trend can have serious implications in the case of emergencies, as it could prevent people from getting critical information.
Consumers across the country who do report spam calls to the FCC complain most about live voice calls. However, spam texts increased by 25% from 2021 to 2022. In March 2023, the FCC released its first ruling designed to combat the rise of spam texts by targeting and eliminating illegal texts. The agency hopes this decreases the number of text-based scams and phishing schemes that unlawfully try to get information or money from people.
In partnership with Visible, Stacker analyzed the FCC’s Consumer Complaints data and ranked each state based on the least to the most spam calls received in 2023 so far. The data is self-reported and does not represent all spam calls. The number of spam calls reported per 100,000 residents determined the states’ ranking. The type of call (pre-recorded calls, live voice calls, or text messages) is listed when available. However, not all complaints included the call type, meaning percentages may not add up to 100.
If you’re trying to reduce the number of spam calls you get, register your cell number with the FCC’s Do Not Call Registry. Being on the registry can lessen—but not necessarily eliminate—sales calls from legitimate companies. If you’re on the registry, nonsales calls from political organizations, charities, debt collectors, surveyors, and those containing information are still allowed to contact you.
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#51. Louisiana
New Orleans near the water at dusk.
– 6 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 263
— Live voice: 91 (34.6% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 68 (25.9% of total)
— Text message: 24 (9.1% of total)
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#50. West Virginia
An aerial view of downtown Charleston at sunset.
– 6 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 113
— Live voice: 40 (35.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 29 (25.7% of total)
— Text message: 3 (2.7% of total)
Trong Nguyen // Shutterstock
#49. Arkansas
A scenic suburb in Ozark.
– 7 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 209
— Live voice: 72 (34.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 50 (23.9% of total)
— Text message: 24 (11.5% of total)
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#48. Montana
Buildings in Billings with scenic hills in the background.
– 7 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 82
— Live voice: 22 (26.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 30 (36.6% of total)
— Text message: 8 (9.8% of total)
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#47. North Dakota
Buildings in Fargo as seen at night.
– 8 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 62
— Live voice: 19 (30.6% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 21 (33.9% of total)
— Text message: 4 (6.5% of total)
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#46. Mississippi
A parking garage and buildings in downtown Jackson.
– 8 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 236
— Live voice: 51 (21.6% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 114 (48.3% of total)
— Text message: 18 (7.6% of total)
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#45. Alabama
The Mobile skyline as seen at dusk.
– 8 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 416
— Live voice: 145 (34.9% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 117 (28.1% of total)
— Text message: 27 (6.5% of total)
Ramunas Bruzas // Shutterstock
#44. Rhode Island
Building, boats, and docks at old harbor in Newport.
– 8 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 91
— Live voice: 24 (26.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 30 (33.0% of total)
— Text message: 9 (9.9% of total)
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#43. Nebraska
Train tracks as seen outside Omaha at night.
– 8 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 165
— Live voice: 57 (34.5% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 38 (23.0% of total)
— Text message: 21 (12.7% of total)
Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock
#42. Missouri
The St. Louis Gateway Arch in Missouri.
– 8 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 521
— Live voice: 154 (29.6% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 124 (23.8% of total)
— Text message: 62 (11.9% of total)
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#41. Hawaii
The coastline and luxury hotels and apartments in Honolulu.
– 9 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 126
— Live voice: 35 (27.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 43 (34.1% of total)
— Text message: 11 (8.7% of total)
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#40. Delaware
Wilmington as seen during late afternoon.
– 9 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 90
— Live voice: 33 (36.7% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 27 (30.0% of total)
— Text message: 5 (5.6% of total)
turtix // Shutterstock
#39. New Mexico
Residential suburbs in Albuquerque.
– 9 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 187
— Live voice: 45 (24.1% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 46 (24.6% of total)
— Text message: 20 (10.7% of total)
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#38. Minnesota
The downtown Minneapolis skyline as seen at night.
– 9 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 513
— Live voice: 125 (24.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 131 (25.5% of total)
— Text message: 94 (18.3% of total)
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#37. Indiana
Soybean fields in Indiana at sunset.
– 9 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 629
— Live voice: 181 (28.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 170 (27.0% of total)
— Text message: 96 (15.3% of total)
TLF Images // Shutterstock
#36. Oklahoma
Buildings along US Route 66 in Oklahoma.
– 9 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 377
— Live voice: 141 (37.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 92 (24.4% of total)
— Text message: 44 (11.7% of total)
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#35. Idaho
Cars driving down Capitol Boulevard in Boise.
– 10 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 186
— Live voice: 54 (29.0% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 31 (16.7% of total)
— Text message: 27 (14.5% of total)
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#34. Wyoming
Buildings in Casper as seen at night.
– 10 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 57
— Live voice: 14 (24.6% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 7 (12.3% of total)
— Text message: 27 (47.4% of total)
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#33. Michigan
An aerial view of downtown Deroit at dusk.
– 10 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,003
— Live voice: 356 (35.5% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 228 (22.7% of total)
— Text message: 114 (11.4% of total)
f11photo // Shutterstock
#32. New Jersey
An aerial view of Jersey City at sunset.
– 10 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 938
— Live voice: 326 (34.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 203 (21.6% of total)
— Text message: 94 (10.0% of total)
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#31. Pennsylvania
The Pittsburgh skyline as viewed from the hills.
– 10 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,356
— Live voice: 450 (33.2% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 437 (32.2% of total)
— Text message: 125 (9.2% of total)
Hank Shiffman // Shutterstock
#30. South Dakota
The western suburbs of Rapid City.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 96
— Live voice: 31 (32.3% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 31 (32.3% of total)
— Text message: 8 (8.3% of total)
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#29. Wisconsin
Madison as viewed from across the water on a bright, sunny day.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 632
— Live voice: 146 (23.1% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 243 (38.4% of total)
— Text message: 75 (11.9% of total)
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#28. Kansas
A night view of buildings along a river in Wichita.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 317
— Live voice: 123 (38.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 98 (30.9% of total)
— Text message: 23 (7.3% of total)
Roschetzky Photography // Shutterstock
#27. Texas
An aerial view of Austin and Lady Bird Lake.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 3,340
— Live voice: 1127 (33.7% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 825 (24.7% of total)
— Text message: 388 (11.6% of total)
ESB Professional // Shutterstock
#26. Georgia
A view of Atlanta’s skyline from Lake Meer in Piedmont Park.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,218
— Live voice: 362 (29.7% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 307 (25.2% of total)
— Text message: 146 (12.0% of total)
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#25. Iowa
An aerial view of Iowa City on a sunny day.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 359
— Live voice: 75 (20.9% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 167 (46.5% of total)
— Text message: 44 (12.3% of total)
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#24. Connecticut
Hartford’s skyline as seen from a distance.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 408
— Live voice: 124 (30.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 144 (35.3% of total)
— Text message: 31 (7.6% of total)
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#23. Ohio
The river leading into Columbus at night.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,340
— Live voice: 428 (31.9% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 393 (29.3% of total)
— Text message: 138 (10.3% of total)
Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock
#22. Tennessee
Cars parked along the street in Johnson City.
– 11 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 805
— Live voice: 264 (32.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 217 (27.0% of total)
— Text message: 86 (10.7% of total)
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock
#21. New York
A cityscape view of Lower Manhattan in New York CIty.
– 12 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 2,324
— Live voice: 591 (25.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 770 (33.1% of total)
— Text message: 192 (8.3% of total)
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#20. Kentucky
Downtown Louisville as seen at night.
– 12 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 533
— Live voice: 237 (44.5% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 110 (20.6% of total)
— Text message: 89 (16.7% of total)
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#19. Vermont
Buildings lining a street in downtown Burlington.
– 12 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 77
— Live voice: 24 (31.2% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 31 (40.3% of total)
— Text message: 3 (3.9% of total)
FotosForTheFuture // Shutterstock
#18. Florida
An aerial view of Boca Raton’s coastline.
– 12 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 2,701
— Live voice: 847 (31.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 702 (26.0% of total)
— Text message: 310 (11.5% of total)
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#17. New Hampshire
The skyline in downtown Manchester at dusk.
– 12 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 170
— Live voice: 48 (28.2% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 51 (30.0% of total)
— Text message: 25 (14.7% of total)
PQK // Shutterstock
#16. South Carolina
The scenic river view and waterfront houses in North Myrtle Beach.
– 13 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 672
— Live voice: 207 (30.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 187 (27.8% of total)
— Text message: 81 (12.1% of total)
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#15. North Carolina
An aerial view of Charlotte on a sunny day.
– 13 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,362
— Live voice: 405 (29.7% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 310 (22.8% of total)
— Text message: 178 (13.1% of total)
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#14. Utah
Downtown Ogden as seen at night.
– 13 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 431
— Live voice: 137 (31.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 146 (33.9% of total)
— Text message: 54 (12.5% of total)
Brandon Burris // Shutterstock
#13. Arizona
A highway leading into downtown Phoenix.
– 14 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 997
— Live voice: 313 (31.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 259 (26.0% of total)
— Text message: 148 (14.8% of total)
eurobanks // Shutterstock
#12. Maryland
Pedestrians strolling on a boardwalk in Ocean City.
– 14 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 872
— Live voice: 304 (34.9% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 206 (23.6% of total)
— Text message: 136 (15.6% of total)
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#11. Oregon
Portland at sunset with a mountain in the background.
– 14 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 607
— Live voice: 193 (31.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 221 (36.4% of total)
— Text message: 69 (11.4% of total)
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#10. Washington
An aerial view of Seattle with the Space Needle in the foreground.
– 14 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,128
— Live voice: 375 (33.2% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 363 (32.2% of total)
— Text message: 139 (12.3% of total)
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#9. Virginia
The skyline of Richmond at sunset.
– 15 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,284
— Live voice: 417 (32.5% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 354 (27.6% of total)
— Text message: 180 (14.0% of total)
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#8. California
A road leading into Silicon Valley.
– 15 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 5,834
— Live voice: 1893 (32.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 2081 (35.7% of total)
— Text message: 561 (9.6% of total)
Marc Cappelletti // Shutterstock
#7. Alaska
Boats and buildings in Sitka.
– 15 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 110
— Live voice: 29 (26.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 49 (44.5% of total)
— Text message: 10 (9.1% of total)
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#6. Massachusetts
An aerial view of downtown Boston at dusk.
– 15 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,080
— Live voice: 354 (32.8% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 455 (42.1% of total)
— Text message: 62 (5.7% of total)
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#5. Nevada
An aerial View of Carson City.
– 18 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 563
— Live voice: 222 (39.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 158 (28.1% of total)
— Text message: 41 (7.3% of total)
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#4. Maine
The waterfront with ferry’s docked in Portland.
– 18 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 255
— Live voice: 123 (48.2% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 56 (22.0% of total)
— Text message: 17 (6.7% of total)
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#3. Washington DC
The Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool.
– 20 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 134
— Live voice: 33 (24.6% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 45 (33.6% of total)
— Text message: 23 (17.2% of total)
DiegoMariottini // Shutterstock
#2. Illinois
Skyscrapers and Lake Michigan in Chicago.
– 20 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 2,512
— Live voice: 964 (38.4% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 1003 (39.9% of total)
— Text message: 161 (6.4% of total)
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#1. Colorado
An aerial view of downtown Denver on a sunny day.
– 22 spam calls reported for every 100,000 residents
– Total spam calls reported so far in 2023: 1,272
— Live voice: 500 (39.3% of total)
— Pre-recorded: 376 (29.6% of total)
— Text message: 155 (12.2% of total)
Data reporting by Elena Cox. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Abigail Renaud.
This story originally appeared on Visible and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
