Do you sometimes receive a phone call from an unknown number that starts with area code 844? Are you wondering who might be calling? People, just like you, have shown curiosity towards area code 844 as it does not correspond to a given place like normal area codes do. Rather, 844 is a toll-free area code used by companies, customer service centers, and telemarketers. But is it secure? Is it possible for scammers to exploit it? We’ll discuss area code 844, why it is used, and how to manage calls from this number in detail further in this article.
Area Code 844 Location
The unique feature of area code 844 is that unlike most standard codes, which are affiliated with particular regions or states, 844 does not link with a specific geographical region. Rather, it is available and can be used by companies all around North America including the US, Canada, and the Caribbean.
When someone calls you from an 844 number, it is difficult to locate them as they can call from anywhere.
Who Uses 844 Numbers?
Numerous legit businesses and organizations can benefit from the 844 toll-free number. Some of these include:
Customer Care Services – Businesses use toll-free numbers to provide support to their customers at no charge.
Helpdesk Services – This has often been a practice in the tech world where computer companies use 844 numbers for desk support.
Government bodies – Some government offices use toll-free numbers to assist the public.
Nonprofit organizations and charities – A lot of families make use of the charity hotlines to call with questions and make donations.
Are 844 Numbers Safe?
Some 844 numbers are genuine. But as we've seen increasingly over the past few years, scammers and telemarketers have also adopted this practice to fool as many people as possible. Here are some noteworthy scams linked to 844 numbers that you need to be careful about:
- Customer support phone number scams
Scammers are impersonating banks, tech firms, and government office representatives. If they can get you, they will pretend that there is something wrong with your account and then try to hoax personal information out of you such as your social security number, credit card, or even banking details.
- Prize and Lottery Scams.
Often, you may get a call or email informing you that you have a certain prize or a lottery won in your name and to claim it, you need to pay a fee. These scams try to get money out of people who can be easily deceived.
- IRS or Government Scams.
Some of the scams are those where they impersonate as IRS or any other government bodies saying that you have tax dues or there will be legal action taken against you. There is often a lot of pressure to pay without question.
Conclusion
Area code 844 is a toll-free number used for business purposes but unfortunately also attracts scammers. If you receive an 844 call, be careful and confirm the identity of the caller before providing sensitive information. While a large number of 844 calls are genuine, it never hurts to be cautious and protect yourself from possible cons.
