866 area code: why do 866 numbers keep calling me?

Area codes 800, 888, 877, 866 – there are so many! These prefixes may be familiar to you because they are all toll-free.

Many small businesses use local numbers to let clients know where they are located, but that’s not always the best business move. 

International business communications may be challenging with local numbers because they can appear less polished and pose logistical challenges.

A client may even assume you’re a scammer if they receive a call from an out-of-area number. You may prefer a toll-free business number with an 866 area code instead. 

Find out what an 866 toll-free number is, its benefits, how it works in the US and Canada, and how to get one.

Can you tell me what an 866 area code is?

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigns the 866 area code to toll-free calls. The caller of a toll-free number is charged, rather than the person who placed the call. 

why do 866 numbers keep calling me – Is the 866 area code phone number a scam?

Overall, area code 866 numbers are not scams.

It’s a government-assigned toll-free number that lots of businesses use. You don’t need to be alarmed if you call an 866 number.

However, the caller should always pay attention to the exact number they dial. Scammers are slick and can sometimes get a similar number, just one digit off the real number.

What is the location of the area code 866?

Numbers without a geographic area code or time zone, like the 866 area code, are toll-free. It’s easier to do business overseas and customers can dial toll-free within the US, Canada, and other countries and regions included in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). In business terms, that means 866 area codes appeal to a broader audience, since long-distance calls aren’t charged. Especially useful for customer service, sales, and tech support.