Who Gets the Most Spam Calls: A Ranking of Every State

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This story originally appeared on Visible and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Who gets the most spam calls: A ranking of every state

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

- 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)

An aerial view of downtown Charleston at sunset.

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#50. West Virginia

- 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)

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#49. Arkansas

- 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)

Buildings in Billings with scenic hills in the background.

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#48. Montana

- 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

- 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)

A parking garage and buildings in downtown Jackson.

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#46. Mississippi

- 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

- 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)

Building, boats, and docks at old harbor in Newport.

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#44. Rhode Island

- 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)

Train tracks as seen outside Omaha at night.

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#43. Nebraska

- 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)

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#42. 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)

The coastline and luxury hotels and apartments in Honolulu.

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#41. Hawaii

- 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)

Wilmington as seen during late afternoon.

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#40. Delaware

- 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)

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#39. New Mexico

- 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)

The downtown Minneapolis skyline as seen at night.

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#38. Minnesota

- 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

- 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)

Buildings along US Route 66 in Oklahoma.

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#36. 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)

Cars driving down Capitol Boulevard in Boise.

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#35. Idaho

- 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

- 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)

An aerial view of downtown Deroit at dusk.

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#33. Michigan

- 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)

An aerial view of Jersey City at sunset.

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#32. New Jersey

- 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)

The Pittsburgh skyline as viewed from the hills.

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#31. Pennsylvania

- 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)

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#30. South Dakota

- 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)

Madison as viewed from across the water on a bright, sunny day.

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#29. Wisconsin

- 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)

A night view of buildings along a river in Wichita.

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#28. Kansas

- 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)

An aerial view of Austin and Lady Bird Lake.

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#27. Texas

- 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)

A view of Atlanta's skyline from Lake Meer in Piedmont Park.

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#26. Georgia

- 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)

An aerial view of Iowa City on a sunny day.

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#25. Iowa

- 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)

Hartford's skyline as seen from a distance.

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#24. Connecticut

- 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)

The river leading into Columbus at night.

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#23. Ohio

- 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)

Cars parked along the street in Johnson City.

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#22. Tennessee

- 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)

A cityscape view of Lower Manhattan in New York CIty.

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#21. New York

- 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

- 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)

Buildings lining a street in downtown Burlington.

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#19. Vermont

- 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)

An aerial view of Boca Raton's coastline.

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#18. Florida

- 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)

The skyline in downtown Manchester at dusk.

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#17. New Hampshire

- 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)

The scenic river view and waterfront houses in North Myrtle Beach.

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#16. South Carolina

- 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)

An aerial view of Charlotte on a sunny day.

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#15. North Carolina

- 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

- 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)

A highway leading into downtown Phoenix.

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#13. Arizona

- 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)

Pedestrians strolling on a boardwalk in Ocean City.

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#12. Maryland

- 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)

Portland at sunset with a mountain in the background.

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#11. Oregon

- 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)

An aerial view of Seattle with the Space Needle in the foreground.

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#10. Washington

- 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

- 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

- 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)

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#7. Alaska

- 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)

An aerial view of downtown Boston at dusk.

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#6. Massachusetts

- 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)

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#5. Nevada

- 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)

The waterfront with ferry's docked in Portland.

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#4. Maine

- 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)

The Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool.

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#3. Washington DC

- 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)

Skyscrapers and Lake Michigan in Chicago.

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#2. Illinois

- 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)

An aerial view of downtown Denver on a sunny day.

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#1. Colorado

- 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.