Does this write-up include interesting facts & history about 844? What is 844 area code USA? And why is there so much talk about it? All your concerns related to this area code will be addressed.
What is an area code, and how does it work?
In the beginning, area codes were only used for numbers. Later, they became a means of identification in many countries. In a few cases, area codes are used now as Internet protocol addresses or phone numbers. An area code is a telephone number service used to identify a specific area within a country. It is also known as a local phone number, landline, or mobile phone number.
The most common reason for using an area code in this context is to get the correct telephone number when calling from another country to another part. An example of an area code is 037. The 037 would be used in Europe and North America, while an example of an area code in India would be 011.
What is an 844 area code USA?
Area code 844 is a call area within North America. It covers parts of the western and northern states of the United States and Ontario, Canada. With this code, customers can call businesses for free. It is not a geographic code but a toll-free number code that enables customers to call businesses for free.
Why do we give importance to area codes?
Area code is specific to any city or state. It might become troublesome for anyone to receive phone calls from unknown numbers having unusual area codes. We all have been through this. Whether to pick this call or ignore it is a significant confusion. Therefore, complete details about the 844 area code are provided here.
Out of all other area codes, 844 is of utmost importance. Some people consider it a scam, fake code, or code that belongs to criminals. Some have a favorable verdict on it. At the same time, some do not bother about it. Here we will explain how to deal with this code, how much importance you should give to a phone call from this 3-letter prefix, etc.
Where is area code 844 Location?
A typical area code is assigned to a geographical location. In the U.S., the geographical location is usually called a city. So, when someone needs to reach an area code 844 location, it can be “844” or “844-555-0123,” as the case may be. The area code 844 is also called ‘number to call’ or ‘number to lookup.
Difference between toll-free numbers & 844
A toll-free phone number is a phone number that is free to the caller. The caller cannot add a charge for a toll-free call. Toll-free numbers were first introduced by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in 1984 and have since expanded worldwide.
While 844 has been around since 1984, other similar 0800/0800 numbers such as 0844, 0884, and 0844 are not toll-free, but they are premium codes that can be used just like any other premium direct-dialed number.
Where does the 844 area code come from?
The 844 area code in the United States is one of the most common area codes. It was initially given to Oklahoma, but it expanded throughout parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas. The area code 844 is derived from 844-TEN (844 Telephone Exchange). The first digit stands for telephone exchange (8) and the second for area code (4).
Calls from the 844 area code are scams or not?
It is a question that gets asked often by people looking for help or advice about scams. Customer service teams use 844 numbers for contacting masses at large organizations. All too often, though, scam artists use them to impersonate an organization or trick the person on the other end of the line. These calls are usually from India, and the caller claims to be from the IRS, FBI, customer service team, or some other government agency. They would say that they investigate your tax return or a crime you committed and need your personal information.
They’ll threaten to arrest you if you don’t call back immediately and will ask for payment via gift card, iTunes card, Western Union transfer, or prepaid debit card. The caller will sometimes try to convince their victims that the number they called them is legitimate with some story of how he got it after successfully finding their number through an online search engine.
Can we send text messages or calls to the 844 numbers?
844 area code is an international standard for mobile numbers, which includes service areas of various countries. It is used in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, among other countries. The 844 area code takes China, the United Kingdom, and France under its vicinity.
Texting to 844 numbers usually requires a texting app or a web app. In the U.S, text messages sent to an 844 number are charged at a rate of 10 cents per text message, with no additional charges for anything else such as attached pictures or videos or media content such as audio files or music tracks attached to your message. This is how 844 area code USA works.
How do I block unwanted 844 calls?
There are many ways to block unwanted 844 phone calls, but the most efficient way is to use a call blocking service. These services work on your computer and phone to block these calls before they reach you. One of the easiest ways to permanently get rid of unwanted calls from 844 is to block a number from receiving your calls. You can contact your phone service provider and request that they add this contact number to their prohibited list, not disturb list or blocklist.
No matter what methods you choose, it is essential to keep in mind that there are restrictions on blocking specific calls such as:
- You cannot block your number or that of your employees or relatives.
- You cannot block an emergency call.
- You cannot block any calls from people with the same area code but different prefixes.
How can I get an 844 number?
There are various ways to get an 844 area code. One of the best ways is to use a VoIP service such as Google Voice or Vonage. You can also transfer your number to another carrier or ask your wireless provider for an area code 844 phone number. You can also purchase a new phone locally or online and ship it with a requested area code.
Toll-free Area Codes
The 844 area code is one of the toll-free numbers added to telephone numbers when issued. This way, these numbers can be used without paying a fee to call them. However, other toll-free area codes have been around for a long time – 800, 833, 855, 866, and 877. There are eight different toll-free area codes altogether, and they can be found in every state of the U.S. except Hawaii and Alaska.
Interesting Facts about 844 area code
And here are some facts about area codes:
- The first 844 area code (USA) was assigned to a town in Ohio, USA. It was first used in 1958.
- The area code 844 is currently allocated to an estimated 2,948 phone numbers across three counties in Tennessee – Bradley County, Knox County, and Rutherford County.
- There are 415 phone numbers assigned to this number ranging from 843-849
- The last 844 area code was assigned to a city in South Dakota. It was last used in 1993.
- 12,217 areas were allocated the first 844 area codes, and now there are only 6.812 of them left (2015).
- In the same year, one North American Numbering Plan (NANP) division of AT&T Corporation issued a new number for 850 (see above). And since that time, the numbers have been assigned either from 855 or from 800
Conclusion
Legacy, as well as scammers, are everywhere. The most crucial part is we should never share our personal information with anyone on any platform. Whether it is through a legitimate phone call or social media, we are not supposed to trust any codes. Some of them would definitely be legal, like area code 844, but officials of any company never ask about your credentials like passwords, pin codes, and such information. Therefore, care should be taken when a call having such a code hits our mobile phones. If the caller is seemingly a scammer and asks you about your private information such as details of bank accounts etc., contact cybersecurity instantly and report him.