844 Area Code
Toll-free numbers
The 844 area code is reserved for toll-free numbers. It is the sixth toll-free NPA in the NANP.
How 844 is used
Numbers in 844 are dialed as a full ten-digit number (1-844-NXX-XXXX) and are free to the caller; the called party pays a per-minute fee. They are issued through RespOrgs using the Somos toll-free database and are fully portable between carriers. 844 numbers are functionally interchangeable with 800, 833, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
- Purpose
- Toll-free numbers
- Assignee
- Somos, Inc. (toll-free Responsible Organizations under FCC rules)
- Dialed as
- 1-844-NXX-XXXX
History
Creation: Area code 844 was placed into service on December 7, 2013 as the 372nd area code in service and the sixth toll-free NPA, relieving 855 as that code's inventory thinned. The FCC's opening letter authorizing 844 made roughly 7.8 million new toll-free numbers available to RespOrgs through the Somos toll-free database. It sits between 855 (2010) and 833 (2017) in the chronological release of toll-free codes.
Relieved: Area code 844 was activated to relieve 855.
Mnemonics: The digits 844 map to letter combinations on the standard telephone keypad, yielding 27 possible three-letter mnemonics. Prior to 1995, the middle digit of area codes was restricted to 0 or 1 — codes created before then cannot form mnemonics.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toll-free_telephone_numbers_in_the_North_American_Numbering_Plan, www.fcc.gov/document/letter-authorizing-opening-844-toll-free-code-dec-7-2013.
Other special-use area codes
Same-category codes first, then the rest of the NANP special-use portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is area code 844 used for?
844 is a special-use area code in the North American Numbering Plan. The 844 area code is reserved for toll-free numbers. It is the sixth toll-free NPA in the NANP.
How is 844 dialed?
Numbers in 844 are dialed as a full ten-digit number (1-844-NXX-XXXX). It is a non-geographic area code, so 1-844 numbers are not tied to any city or state.
Are 844 numbers free to call?
Yes. 844 is a toll-free area code: the called party (the business) pays the per-minute charge to its toll-free carrier, and the caller pays nothing. 844 numbers are interoperable with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 numbers.
Who called me from a 844 number?
A 844 number is toll-free, used by businesses and call centers, and also by robocallers. Toll-free caller ID is easy to spoof, so a 844 number does not identify a specific company. Recently, 8,226 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 844 code (90% flagged as robocalls). If you did not expect the call, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 844 a scam area code?
No. 844 is a legitimate toll-free code used by real businesses. But scammers use and spoof toll-free numbers too, so 844 on your caller ID proves nothing on its own. Recently, 8,226 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 844 code (90% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the code.
How do I block calls from 844 numbers?
Block the specific 844 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: Block this Caller; Android: Block or report spam), turn on spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. You can block all toll-free calls, but that also stops legitimate businesses from reaching you.
Who assigns 844 numbers?
Somos, Inc. (toll-free Responsible Organizations under FCC rules)
What did 844 relieve or replace?
Area code 844 was activated to relieve 855 as that pool of numbers neared exhaustion.
When did area code 844 go into service?
Area code 844 was placed into service on December 7, 2013. It was the 372nd area code in service; 6th area code used for Toll-free.