In case you have ever received a phone call from a number starting with the area code “844”, it is possible that the call might have been from a fair business or a swindler trying to cheat you. It is lawful to use the 844 Area Code within the confines of the United States.
Area code 844 is not linked to any particular physical location. Instead, it is presented as a toll-free number that can be dialled from any country globally. However, we have created a guide to assist those pondering whether the 844 area code is genuine or yet another scam.
What is the 844 Area Code?
The 844 area code is a toll-free phone number that allows calling from a landline without incurring charges. It allows locals to contact businesses and individuals in other areas without paying extra for long-distance calls. This area code is valid, similar to the 800 area code. However, receiving calls with an area code of 844 does not necessarily guarantee their authenticity.
Although the area code is legitimate, the caller may be a fraudster. Scammers have become more sophisticated, using new tactics to deceive or cheat people. Thus, verifying who is calling before disclosing any personal information when receiving calls from the 844 area code is essential.
More About the 844 Area Code Scam
The 844 area code scam affects scammers gathering information about their potential victims before calling them. This data helps them customize their conversation during the call. For example, if they know that a person previously held a credit card they don’t have, the scammers may target that person. They may pretend to be a bank employee attempting to collect a late fee connected with that card.
In the past, scammers who pretended to be from a debt collection agency would charge loan recipients of not paying off their balances. However, scammers utilizing the 844 area code would demand payment through mobile debit or credit cards while also asking for access details to the victim’s online bank account.
Scammers using the 844 area code are infamous for employing alarming tactics. In threatening circumstances, they may contact the victim’s family and colleagues to “claim their rights” and “apply more pressure” on their target.
Where is the Location of 844 Area code?
The area code 844 does not correspond to any particular geographic location like conventional area codes for cell phones and landlines. Operators or owners of an 844 area code can be in any of the 20-plus countries under the North American Numbering Plan. The given are the locations:
- Jamaica
- The Bahamas
- Dominican Republic
- Dominica
- Montserrat
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Canada
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- The Cayman Islands
- Sint Maarten
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Grenada
- Saint Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
What to Do after being involved in 844 Area Code Scam?
If you are involved in an Area 844 scam, the scammers can be intimidating, and simply hanging up on them will not make them stop. While talking to them, note their names, titles, and companies they claim to represent.
If you need help, search on Google to verify if the companies they are associated with are legitimate. Then, inform the scammer that you did your research.
Also, if you cannot get any information about them, they are scammers, and you should block their number instantly. Never provide your credit or debit card numbers over the phone. Always keep a note that banks will never ask you to provide such information.
What to Do If Scammed?
If you fall target to the 844 area code scam, a similar phone, or online fraud, contact your bank immediately and try to take back any transactions made with the scammer. These scammers are more likely to grow if you provide them with your card’s CVV number written on the back, so notify your bank to take proper steps to safeguard your account. You can easily take back or reverse the transaction if scammed through PayPal.
Still, if you paid via cryptocurrency or your bank account, you are in trouble since decentralized systems need a way to return your money. Reporting online scammers is important, regardless of whether you can get your money back, to help law enforcement arrest them and protect others from being scammed like you.
What measures can I take to determine whether a call from the 844 area code is genuine or not?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that phone scams have recently increased. These scammers attempt to deceive people into giving them money or valuables by calling hundreds or thousands of phone numbers daily. Yet, only established businesses that could prove their legitimacy was given toll-free numbers. However, today, scammers are skilled at spoofing phone numbers.
Never provide personal information over the phone to avoid being fooled by phone scams. Legitimate companies do not ask for sensitive information like credit card numbers. Let it go to voicemail if you need help deciding whether the call is fair. If you believe the call is fair, request written verification of the company’s identity and request.
How do toll-free numbers work for US and Canadian callers?
The North American Numbering Plan includes the United States and Canada. For callers within these countries, toll-free calls are always free. The business incurs fees, and there are no charges for team members calling clients.
With a VoIP service like OpenPhone, you can avoid unnecessary costs as it provides free, unlimited calling in the US and Canada. Dialling a toll-free telephone number is the same as dialling a local number for callers.
What is the mechanism behind toll-free phone numbers for callers in the Canada and US?
The 844 area code is one of seven toll-free, including 800, 833, 855, 866, 877, and 888. All function similarly, allowing callers to reach businesses without charge. The FCC introduced 800 and 888 numbers first, making them more recognizable to customers as toll-free numbers.
However, the advantage of the 844 area code is that it is more readily available than 800 numbers, which have limited inventory. With the 844 and 855 area codes, businesses have more number combinations to choose from, making it easier to get a vanity number that callers can remember.
Benefits of toll-free phone numbers
Out of a number of benefits, we have mentioned some. Check it out one by one:
Increased Customer Satisfaction
Toll-free numbers provide a convenient and cost-free way for customers to contact businesses. Customers can easily reach out to businesses with questions or concerns, which helps build a positive brand image.
Increased Accessibility
Toll-free numbers make businesses available to customers across the country. Customers can call businesses from anywhere without incurring long-distance charges, increasing companies’ reach.
Enhanced Professionalism
Toll-free numbers give businesses a more professional image. It shows that businesses are willing to invest in customer support and are serious about providing quality services.
Improved Marketing
Toll-free numbers can be marketing tools to improve brand recognition and recall. They are easy to remember and can be used in advertising and promotional materials, which helps in increasing brand visibility.
Cost-Effective
Toll-free numbers are a cost-effective way for businesses to provide customer support.
They eliminate the need for customers to call long distances, reducing their call costs and enabling them to call businesses more frequently.
Show your professionalism
Having a toll-free phone number makes your business more professional and established. Customers are more likely to trust and respect companies that offer a free and easy way to reach them.
Build a memorable brand
Toll-free numbers are easily recognizable and more memorable than traditional phone numbers. They allow businesses to create a catchy and unique number that is easier for customers to remember and associate with their brand.
Attract more customers
A toll-free number can attract more customers by removing the cost obstacle of making a call. Customers are more likely to reach out to businesses that offer free and easy access.
Get a different area code
Toll-free numbers come with a different area code from local area codes. This allows businesses to create a national or even international presence, making attracting customers from outside their immediate geographic area easier.
How to get an 844 area code?
To get an 844 area code, contact a telecommunications provider that offers toll-free numbers. Many providers are available, such as RingCentral, Grasshopper, and OpenPhone. You can check their websites or contact customer service to see if an 844 number is available.
Once you have found a provider that offers 844 numbers, you can sign up for a toll-free plan and select the 844 area code. You can also search for a specific number combination or choose from a list of available numbers.
After selecting your number, you must provide some information and complete the necessary paperwork to activate your toll-free number. This generally includes providing your business name and address and agreeing to the provider’s terms and conditions.
Once your toll-free number is activated, you can use it for your business. Remember to advertise your number prominently on your website, social media, and other marketing materials to make it easy for customers to reach you.
Get an 844 area code with OpenPhone.
To get an 844 area code with OpenPhone, follow these simple steps:
- Sign up for an account with OpenPhone on their website.
- Choose the pricing plan that suits your needs. OpenPhone offers a 7-day free trial period to test out the service.
- Once you’ve signed up, log in to your OpenPhone account and select “Get a new number” from the dashboard.
- Enter “844” in the search field and select the number you want from the available options.
- Choose a plan that fits your business needs, and complete the checkout process.
- Start using your new 844 area code to receive and make calls, texts, and more through the OpenPhone app.
Conclusion
We have discussed all the relevant information about the legitimacy of area code 844. We hope this article was informative and helpful. In conclusion, area code 844 is a valid toll-free number assigned to companies offering goods and services. However, due to the growing complexity of scammers, they can obtain this number and use it to fool people. Therefore, taking the protection summarised in this article to safeguard yourself against phone scams is essential.
Some FAQs
Q: Where is the 844 area code?
A: The 844 area code is a North American toll-free area code that can be used throughout the United States and Canada.
Q: Why do I keep getting calls from area code 844?
A: Scammers often use toll-free numbers like the 844 area code to trick people into answering the phone. They may be trying to get personal information or money from you. Be cautious of calls you receive from unknown numbers, and do not give out sensitive information over the phone.
Q: Are 844 numbers free in the USA?
A: Yes, calls made to and from toll-free numbers like the 844 area code are accessible in the United States.
Q: Can you text an 844 number?
A: Yes, you can text an 844 number like any other phone number. However, be aware that scammers may also use texting to try and scam you.
Q: Is 844 a US number?
A: Yes, the 844 area code is a toll-free area code that can be used throughout the United States.
Q: Is it OK to text a spam number?
A: Texting a spam number is generally not advised, as it can confirm to the spammer that your phone number is active and may result in more spam messages. Ignoring and deleting any messages or calls from suspected spam numbers is best.
