If you’ve ever wanted to throw your phone out the window because of yet another spam call or text, you’re not alone.
According to the Federal Trade Commission as of September 30, 2024, there were 254 million active registrations on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry.
Some states in the U.S. are absolute magnets for nuisance calls and texts, leaving Americans drowning in robocalls, scam texts, and relentless telemarketers. But which state suffers the most?
We’ve crunched the numbers to find out.
Our team dug through more than 2 million complaints to the FTC and FCC in 2024, to find the places where residents can’t go a day without dodging fake IRS threats, bogus requests for parcel collection fees, or sketchy insurance deal texts.
The Worst States for Spam Calls and Texts
- Ohio (859 complaints per 100,000 people)
If there were an award for suffering through spam, Ohio would take home the gold. The state has the highest number of complaints per capita, with residents constantly bombarded by unwanted calls and texts. Whether it’s fraudulent health insurance offers, fake IRS threats, or spam texts promising too-good-to-be-true deals, Ohioans can’t seem to get a break.
- Delaware (850 complaints per 100,000 people)
Despite being one of the smallest states in the U.S., Delaware ranks second in the most harassed states from nuisance calls and texts. Its residents receive an alarming 850 spam calls and texts per 100,000 people. Many complaints stem from aggressive telemarketers and fraudulent texts pretending to be from banks and government agencies.
- Illinois (831 complaints per 100,000 people)
Illinois residents are no strangers to robocalls and spam messages as they place third in the national rankings. With nearly 103,000 total complaints filed, it’s clear that Illinois is a prime hunting ground for scammers.
- Arizona (781 complaints per 100,000 people)
The Grand Canyon State is known for its beautiful landscapes, but it’s also a hotspot for scammers and pushy spammers to harass. Spam calls related to Medicare scams have been a particular problem in Arizona, often targeting retirees and older residents with over 1.5 million people eligible for Medicare in the state.
- Virginia & Nebraska (764 complaints per 100,000 people each)
Virginia and Nebraska are tied in the rankings, both seeing a staggering number of complaints. Virginia’s spam issues frequently involve robocalls from fake debt collectors and utility scams, while Nebraska residents have reported an uptick in tax-related scams and spam texts pretending to be from government assistance programs. With both states surpassing 750 complaints per 100,000 people, it’s clear that residents are fed up.
- North Carolina (750 complaints per 100,000 people)
North Carolinians deal with a relentless stream of nuisance spam calls and texts, ranging from IRS scams to fake toll fee calls. Federal agencies received almost 83,000 complaints in 2024. The influx of these scams has made North Carolina one of the most affected states where Americans are being pestered by spam and scam calls and texts.
- California (749 complaints per 100,000 people)
Even with its massive population, California still ranks among the worst states for spam calls and texts with 749 complaints per 100,000 people. Many residents receive daily robocalls promising bogus credit card debt relief or pretending to be from Social Security. Scam texts linked to fraudulent job offers and cryptocurrency schemes have also been on the rise, making it a living hell.
- New Hampshire (721 complaints per 100,000 people)
New Hampshire might be known for its scenic views, but it’s also one of the worst states for nuisance communication. In 2024, residents most commonly reported scammers claiming to be from Medicare to obtain information, with Despite its smaller population, the high complaint rate suggests scammers have found New Hampshire to be a profitable target.
- Colorado (719 complaints per 100,000 people)
Colorado rounds out the top 10, with residents facing a constant onslaught of spam calls and texts. Many complaints involve bogus tax-related and reducing debt offers. The state’s large urban centers, such as Denver, appear to be prime targets for robocall operations, further contributing to the high complaint rate.
Why Are These States Hit the Hardest?
While spam calls and texts are a nationwide epidemic, some states are worse off due to factors like large population centers, tax state regulations, or scammers targeting specific demographics.
The rise of AI-driven scams has only made things worse, as fraudsters now use more sophisticated methods to trick unsuspecting victims. High complaint rates suggest that residents in these states may be more actively reporting spam, but they also indicate that these states are top targets for fraudsters.
Where Does Your State Rank?
Which states are being left alone the most?
- Alaska
- North Dakota
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Wyoming
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Montana
- Rhode Island
- Mississippi
What Can You Do to Stop Spam Calls and Texts?
- Register on the Do Not Call List (though let’s be real, it’s not foolproof).
- Use call-blocking apps
- Don’t engage—answering or replying to spam messages can make you a bigger target.
- Report spam to the FCC and FTC to help crack down on scammers.
If you’re in one of the states that suffers the most, we feel for you. The war on spam calls and texts is far from over, but staying informed and taking precautions can at least make it a little more bearable.
Methodology
Textla analyzed over 2 million complaints to federal agencies FTC and the FTC over 2024, to establish which states are being harassed by spam calls and texts.
Population of each state was taken from 2024 US Government Census data.
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