866 Phone Numbers: What Are They & Who Uses Them?

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A guide on the toll-free number used by scammers and businesses

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• What are 866 phone numbers?
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• Who uses 866 area code numbers?
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• How to Stop Unwanted Calls

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So, an 866 number keeps calling you. We get it! Their persistent calls are getting annoying. But is it a scam or just someone looking for information? More often than not, an 866 area code means a large business or company is calling you; however, in some instances, it may be a scam. We have everything there is to know about 866 numbers in this article. Read on to learn who can obtain them and how you can block their unwanted calls.

Things You Should Know

• 866 numbers aren’t necessarily scam calls and are most commonly used by legitimate businesses.
• Anyone can obtain an 866 phone number through the FTC or a VoIP provider online.
• Prevent unwanted 866 numbers from calling you by blocking the number through your phone provider or signing up for the national Do Not Call list.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

What are 866 phone numbers?

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1. 
   866 phone numbers are toll-free numbers that serve NANP areas. If you live within the North American Numbering Plan’s (NANP) jurisdiction, you may receive calls from an 866 area number if a business, company, or scammer is looking for information. Because the number is toll-free, there’s no specific location associated with an 866 area code. This provides scammers and companies with the opportunity to hide their current location.

   • More often than not, 866 phone numbers are used by companies and programs that have a high volume of calls. This includes marketers, customer service centers, and sales teams.
   • Other toll-free area codes include 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.
   • NANP jurisdiction includes the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Caribbean Islands.
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Section 2 of 3:

Who uses 866 area code numbers?

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   Scammers may use 866 numbers to disguise themselves. Because 866 is a toll-free number, many scam companies will use them to try and trick potential victims. Many legitimate businesses and companies use 866 area codes, which gives scammers an incentive to use them themselves. The area code is easy to obtain online, meaning that anyone can disguise themselves as a credible company looking for information.

   • If you answer a suspected scam call and the caller (or recording) asks you to hit a button to opt out of calls, hang up. Never hit any buttons or say anything if you suspect a call is a scam.
   • Never give private personal information out over the phone. This includes social security numbers, credit card numbers, and addresses.
   • Think before you speak when answering an 866 number. For instance, if the caller says they need more information for an upcoming doctor’s appointment when you know all your information is already on file with your doctor, be hesitant.
     • When in doubt, hang up and call the number you know is the accused caller.
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   Businesses use 866 numbers because they’re toll-free. Companies with a large number of phone calls often opt to use an 866 area code because their customers don’t have to pay to receive calls (no matter the distance). Along with this, 866 area codes are free to use and call within the NANP, allowing businesses to broaden their client base and reach more people.

   • Additional advantages of 866 numbers for companies include easily forwarding calls, credibility, and personalization.
   • Note that wireless callers will be charged for airtime minutes used during a toll-free call, unless they have an “unlimited calling” plan.
   • Anyone can get an 866 phone number for their business or company in 1 of 2 ways:
     • Contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an available number. 866 numbers are handed out by the Responsible Organization (RespOrgs). Call 1-844-439-7666 for more information.
     • Signing up and paying for a VoIP provider like Ringblaze or MightyCall.
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Section 3 of 3:

How do you get 866 numbers to stop calling?

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   Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call list. The Do Not Call list is a national registry used to stop unwanted sales calls. If you’ve received repetitive calls from the same 866 number(s), consider adding your number to the registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or visiting DoNotCall.gov.

   • Registering with the national list is free and never expires.
   • It typically takes up to 31 days for sales or scam calls to stop after registering your phone number.
   • Under the FTC’s rules, political, charitable, debt collection, and survey calls are still allowed even if you’re on the Do Not Call list.
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   Opt out of “sharing” with your phone provider. You may be receiving unwanted 866 calls if your phone number is listed as “shareable” with your phone provider, which allows the provider to share your information with other companies. If you’d like to avoid unwanted calls, opt out of this service by:

   • Logging into your phone provider account. Change your security preferences to not allow your information to be saved or shared with outside companies.
   • Contact your phone provider about blocking tools to help you avoid scam and robo calls.
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   Avoid sharing your phone number unless absolutely necessary. Most scammers obtain information for potential victims online. When you type your phone number into that little box online while ordering food or a package, it’s spread through the ethernet. Do your best to only give out your phone number in vital situations and use secure, credible sites to make purchases.
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Tips

• Block scam calls if they persist. This is as easy as clicking a few buttons on your phone.
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• Consider reporting a scam phone number with the FTC by visiting ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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