What are St. Lawrence County Area Codes?
Area codes are the three-digit numbers at the beginning of every North American telephone number. Area codes help categorize the locations within a particular state into different numbering plan areas (NPA). As an offshoot, area codes help determine the origins of phone calls. Area codes were introduced as part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) to assist in organizing the processes involved in making long and long-distance calls. The New York State Department of Public Service regulates and administers area codes in St. Lawrence County.
Currently, three area codes cover St. Lawrence County.
Area Code 315
Area code 315 was one of the earliest codes created by AT&T and the Bell System. It was officially introduced in 1947. Area code 315 covers a total of 18 counties. Initially, when it was created, it served central upstate New York. Area code 315 was later split in 1954 to form a part of area code 607.
Area Code 680
Area code 680 was officially put into service in 2017 as an all-service overlay of area code 315. It covers the west-central New York state area, including the Cities of Utica, Syracuse, and Rome.
Area Code 518
Area code 518 was officially put into use in 1947. Area code 518 covers most of Northeastern New York State, including St. Lawrence County. The capital region of Albany and other larger cities and communities in its environs. In 2017, area code 838 became the all-service overlay of area code 518 and was officially put into service in the same year.
What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in St. Lawrence County?
The 2018 National Center of Health Statistical Survey estimated that 38.8% of the adult population in the State of New York relied solely on wireless telephone services, while only about 6% of the population preferred to use just landlines. The case was not much different among minors, with 45.9% using exclusively wireless telephone services and just 2.9% preferring to use only landlines. These figures show that the use of cell phones has dominated that of landlines in St. Lawrence County.
The four major phone carriers and several other Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) operate in the county. So far, AT&T and Verizon offer the best service coverage in the county. However, service availability may seem unstable in rural areas and densely populated areas.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an engineered technology that makes it possible to make calls via the internet. Compared to wireless telephone services and landlines, VoIP stands out for its many unique and cost-saving features. With VoIP, users are presented with affordable and flexible ways to make calls, including long and long-distance calls.
What are St. Lawrence County Phone Scams?
St. Lawrence County phone scams are perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals who contact targeted residents of the county to extort money and sensitive personal information fraudulently. Residents who find themselves in such situations may use reverse phone number lookup services in identifying such scam calls. Common phone scams committed in St. Lawrence County include:
What are St. Lawrence County IRS Impersonation Scams?
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) impersonation scams are quite common in St. Lawrence County. Here, the scammers contact unsuspecting residents of St. Lawrence County over the phone claiming to be collection agents or officers of the Internal Revenue Service. The scammers intimidate residents with threats of arrest. Other times, they threaten to freeze the assets of their targets if certain amounts of money are not paid with immediate effect. Usually, the scammers ask their targets to make the payments via gift cards, prepaid cards, credit cards, or wire transfers.
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers to ask for confidential or financial information via phone calls, social media, text messages, or emails. Residents that have been victims of such scams are advised to file their complaints to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Reverse phone number search services can answer the question, “who is this number registered to?”
What are St. Lawrence County Prizes/ Sweepstakes Scams?
In these scams, scammers contact targeted residents via phone calls congratulating them and informing them that they have won attractive prizes from competitions, sweepstakes, or lotteries they did not sign up for. The scammers tell their targets that they have to pay certain fees or give up sensitive personal information to claim their prizes. Usually, the scammers claim that the fees are for taxes, custom duties, bank fees, or courier charges. Scammers urge their targets to keep their winnings private for security reasons to prevent targets from seeking further information from other sources.
Residents that have been contacted by prizes/ sweepstakes scammers are advised to file their complaints to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Reverse cell phone lookup services can help identify who called and verify whether or not the caller is from a legitimate source.
What are St.Lawrence County Investment Scams?
In these scams, the scammers impersonate agents or officials of highly reputed organizations or investment companies. While speaking to the targets over the phone, they offer so-called “once in a lifetime opportunities.” The scammers often present testimonials to appear and sound more legitimate. The targets only find out that such investment opportunities are scams after they have committed financially to them.
Residents are advised to be cautious and even suspicious of such bogus investment schemes. Residents should do their due diligence by first verifying that the individuals or organizations they are investing with are registered with a recognized body. Phone number search free of charge can be used to verify and determine if the calls are from legitimate businesses.
What are Robocalls and Scam Calls?
Robocalls are automated phone calls engineered to deliver programmed and pre-recorded messages on behalf of the users. Robocalls are commonly used by telemarketing companies and in political campaigns. The peculiarity of robocalls enables its users to reach multiple residents within a very short period and with minimal human effort. These peculiarities, in recent times, have drawn businesses and scammers alike to it. Scammers choose to use robocalls and leverage its affordability and the anonymity it provides. Reverse phone lookup services can be used to identify if an incoming call is a robocall or not.
The best options when you receive a robocall includes:
- Hang up the call once you discover that it is a robocall. Ensure you do not follow or carry out any of the instructions or prompts given during the call as doing so will only lead to more automated messages.
- Inquiries should be made from the relevant phone service providers on procedures on how to block phone numbers.
- Utilize online services and applications that offer phone number search free of charge to identify who called and block the phone number if it is a robocall.
- Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry (NDCR) database. Numbers listed on the register are exempted from receiving robocalls and other unwanted automated calls. If you receive any more robocalls after registering on the NDNC database, the robocalls are most likely scam calls.
- Illegal robocalls should be reported to FTC online or call 1- 888- 382- 1222.
Other helpful consumer tips on blocking unwanted calls on any platform are made available on the FTC website.
How Can You Spot and Report St. Lawrence County Phone Scams?
For a long time, scammers have been on the prowl in most places, St. Lawrence County inclusive. However, in recent times, scammers have adopted more manipulative tactics to fraudulently extort money and other personal information from residents of St. Lawrence County. Hence, the need for residents to arm themselves with the right information and knowledge needed to prevent falling prey to scams. Applications that perform reverse phone lookups free of charge can help in identifying potential phone scams. Below are ways to identify phone scams:
- Scammers, most often than not, employ aggressive tactics to create fear in their targets. Usually, they achieve this by threats of arrest, suspension or revocation of licenses and permits, fines, or freezing of the targets’ assets.
- The caller demands that the targets give up their personal details or bank information to carry out a registration process. Calls that demand such are scam calls. Legitimate companies and organizations will never ask residents to provide their sensitive financial information over a phone call.
- The caller offers investment deals with unbelievable benefits and profits. Most times, the return on investment promised by the callers is very attractive, making the target take up the offer without proper background verification.
- The scammer requests for unwarranted payment of certain amounts of money and specifies how the payment should be made. Usually, they ask the target to make the payments via channels different from the usual payment method. Some of these payment channels include payment via bank wire transfer, prepaid cards, debit cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies. It is important to note that money sent through these means is usually hard to trace and often irretrievable.
While it might be quite impossible to completely curtail phone scammers from contacting residents, precautionary steps can be taken to ensure that one does not fall victim to phone scammers’ fraudulent antics. Applications and services that carry out phone number lookup by address and name can prove useful in achieving this feat.
Some public institutions have been established to assist the residents of St. Lawrence County in combating phone scammers. St. Lawrence County residents who have been targeted or have fallen victims to phone scams are advised to contact any one of the following agencies to report the incidence:
St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office - The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office ensures that residents of St. Lawrence county are informed and kept abreast of prevalent scams in the county. This is done with the intent to assist residents in protecting themselves from such scams. Residents of St. Lawrence County who may have fallen victim to phone scams and frauds may make their reports or file their complaints to the local Sheriff’s Office or call the non-emergency number (315) 379-2276.
New York Attorney General's Office Consumer Education Section - The Consumer Education Section of the New York Attorney General's Office deals with reports and complaints from consumers regarding issues that border on fraudulent and deceptive misconducts. County residents who may have fallen victims to phone scams may file complaints online or call 1-800-771-7755.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - The FTC ensures the protection of consumers by curbing fraudulent practices and taking necessary legal actions against companies and organizations that contravene laid down laws. The National Do Not Call Registry (NDCR) is one of the FTC’s efforts to ensure that scammers’ activities are curtailed. Phone numbers listed on the NDCR register are exempt from receiving robocalls from telemarketers. Robocalls received after concluding the registration process are most likely scam calls. Victims of scams may file complaints with the FTC or call 1-888-382-1222.