Last Updated on October 14, 2021
844 doesn’t have a physical location. It’s just the next in the series of “area codes” (800, 888, 877, 866, 855…) that allow for toll-free calling from anywhere in the United States.
The 844 area code was put into service in December 2013. 800 numbers, known for being toll-free for the caller, had simply run out of options. It became common to see 866 and 877 numbers that would provide the same service.
Currently, toll-free area codes in the U.S. are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888. These area codes have become commonplace and many people don’t question them as they were once linked to legitimate businesses, organizations, and government agencies.
If 800 numbers are the norm, what makes 844 so special? While it is offered to businesses for a fee, just like the other numbers, the percentage of scam calls using the area code is very high. Many reports detail calls from the number using scare tactics demanding return calls and/or personal information.
Currently, area code 844 is located in 20 North American countries, including the U.S. and affiliated territories, Canada, and several Caribbean countries.
Canada’s toll–free numbers begin with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, or 888. These digits are referred to as toll–free dial codes. These toll–free dial codes are overseen by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). … Canada’s toll–free numbers are sometimes called the Canada 800 number.
It’s part of the North American Numbering Plan, an integrated telephone numbering system that allows area codes to be shared with participating countries.
Getting an 844 number is relatively easy. Legally, the person or business requesting the number must purchase and register it with a legitimate phone service. Illegally, a user can use VoIP services to mask their number using any prefix they like.
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What is the difference between 844 and other toll-free numbers?
As of writing, there are 7 toll-free numbers in the United States, 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888. Most of them are for the whole of North America however, a few are reserved for specific regions:
- 800-389 – Bahamas
- 800-534 – Barbados
- 800-623 – Bermuda
- 800-415 – Dominican Republic
- 800-751 – Dominican Republic
- 800-907 – Dominican Republic
- 800-271 – Trinidad
- 800-855 is for the deaf or hearing impaired.
Receiving Unknown Calls
If you receive an unknown call with an 844 area code prefix, be cautioned. It may well be a legitimate phone call.
Let the call go to voicemail. The message the person leaves (if any) will tip you off if it’s a scam. Some people have reported receiving calls regarding:
- Arrest warrants
- Health Insurance or Medicare
- Legal Issues
- Fraudulent credit cards or banks
- Lotteries
- Charities
- 844 area code
Before you return a call to a number in the 844 area code, use a reverse phone search to learn if the number is legitimate. If the call is an 844 area code scam, use your phone to block the number to cut down on the calls.
If the caller makes threats, report the information immediately to local law enforcement. You should also ask your phone company about spam blocking tools and do a search to find apps that you can download to your mobile device.
Go to fcc.gov/robocalls to receive information on available robocall blocking tools. You should register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry. The Do Not Call Registry was created to stop sales calls from legitimate companies, so it may not stop calls from scammers.
However, it could make it easier for you to spot the calls. It’s recommended that you report unwanted calls immediately and avoid answering calls from that number in the future.
Where is the 844 area code Location?
Area code 844 is primarily located in 20 North American countries, including the United States and its territories, Canada, and a number of Caribbean countries.
The area code is part of the North American Numbering Plan, which is an integrated telephone-numbering system where numbering resources are shared among participating countries.
Area code 844 is used for toll-free numbers in a number of countries covered under the NANP. Toll-free numbers allow callers to contact people and businesses without being charged for the call, and the cost for using the number is paid for by the toll-free subscriber. Other area codes covered by the NANP include 800, 855, 866, 877, and 888.
The area code 844 is one of many utilized for toll-free calling by businesses and organizations in North America:
- United States of America
- Canada
- The Caribbean Islands
- Any other country participating in the North American Numbering Plan
The answer from Chris Owen gives some pertinent data to behind-the-scenes workings of some toll-free numbers that redirect your call to a line where there is a charge for the call. This is somewhat of a scam because callers are not informed about the charges.
Are calls from the 844 area code a scam?
While there are a large number of 844 numbers used by customer service teams, scammers also use them. They know that a lot of people will legitimately think they are being called by a customer service team. They use this trust to claim they are from a wide range of companies; law practices, banks retail stores, and tech support teams.
Look up the company on the internet to check that the company they claim to work actually uses the number they are calling on. If you don’t find the number on their official website, hang up and block the number.
Source: makeeasylife.com