How to Identify an Area Code

There are a number of easy ways to identify an unknown area code.

When you receive your telephone bill each month, it's customary to review your past calls, especially long distance ones, to ensure that your billing charges are all legitimate. Certain times you'll come across a charge from a number that you don't recognize and wonder about the locale of a specific area code. Or your caller ID might display a call from an unfamiliar number and you want to identify the area code. There are a variety of simple methods to identify an area code that is unfamiliar to you.

Instructions

1. Call the operator, provide the unknown number and ask her to identify the area code for you. Depending on your local telephone company provider, it could cost up to 95 cents to provide this information.

2. Search through the telephone directory. Most telephone directories provide a listing of all the area codes within the United States.

3. Visit the website called the National American Numbering Plan Administration (see Resources) and click on the "Area Code Search" link. Insert the area code you wish to identify and you'll be able to find the number's general place of origin.

4. Use a search engine such as Google Directory, which will be able to track the area code as well as the exact city or town, using the prefix number. For example, if the number is (201) 555- 1234, search for "201-555." This method will help narrow down your search for identifying an unknown number.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not dial a long distance number unless you know where you're calling.

• Be cautious and research an unknown number before calling it.

• It's common to come across a voicemail, email or website page asking you to call a certain number to collect a prize. The number will look legitimate and have three numbers as the area code to signal that it's a United States number, making you assume it's a domestic call. Certain times these are actually international numbers that will charge you high rates on your next phone bill.

References

• Public Service Commission: How to Identify an Area Code

Resources

• North American Numbering Plan Administration: Area Code Listings
• Google Directory: Area Codes