If you receive a phone call from an unfamiliar area code, it’s natural to feel curious about where the call is coming from. One such area code is 224, which covers parts of Illinois, United States. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Area Code 224, including its location, time zone, history, and industries, as well as scams and spam phone numbers associated with it. We’ll also provide tips on how to block unwanted calls from this area code.
Where is Area Code 224?
Area Code 224 is a phone area code assigned to the northeastern region of Illinois, United States. It encompasses the city of Chicago and its adjoining areas. Some of the cities covered by this area code include Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Zurich, Northbrook, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Wheeling.
What is Area Code 224?
Area Code 224 is one of the many area codes assigned to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). It was created in 2002 as an overlay for the 847 area code, which was running out of available phone numbers due to the increasing demand for new phone lines. The introduction of Area Code 224 allowed the region to have additional phone numbers without affecting existing customers.
The Time Zone of Area Code 224
Area Code 224 observes the Central Standard Time (CST) zone, which is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). During the Daylight Saving Time (DST) period, the time zone switches to Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5).
The History of Area Code 224
Area Code 224 was created in 2002 as an overlay for the 847 area code. The need for a new area code was due to the rapid population growth and increasing demand for phone lines in the region. Before the introduction of Area Code 224, the 847 area code was one of the original area codes assigned to Illinois in 1947.
The Industries of Area Code 224
Area Code 224 encompasses a varied array of industries, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, and education, in its covered region. Some of the significant employers in the area are Abbott Laboratories, Walgreens, Allstate Insurance, Caterpillar, and Motorola Solutions.
Is the 224 Area Code a Scam?
While the majority of phone calls from Area Code 224 are legitimate, there have been reports of scams associated with this area code. One common scam is the “IRS scam,” where scammers pose as IRS agents and threaten to arrest the victim for unpaid taxes. Another scam is the “Microsoft scam,” where scammers claim to be from Microsoft tech support and offer to fix nonexistent computer problems for a fee.
Some Spam Phone Numbers from Area Code 224
Here are some spam phone numbers associated with Area Code 224:
How to Block 224 Area Code Scam Calls?
It’s the easiest and the most effective to block scam calls and texts and robocalls via a call-blocking app like RealCall. It guards your phone against risky numbers and contacts. Apart from automatically blocking all unwanted calls behind the screen, RealCall also can filter necessary and normal calls based on the customized blocking rules set by you. Due to AI technology and machine learning, RealCall gives users the highest protection. The more you use it, the better it works for you.
You may also choose to register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry as an alternative. This registry is administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and is created to prevent telemarketing calls, including those made by scammers. Once your phone number is included in the registry, telemarketers are obligated to cease contacting you, and you can report any infringers to the FTC.
In addition, you could decide not to answer calls coming from unfamiliar or dubious numbers, particularly those with the 224 area code. If the call is important, the caller will likely leave a voicemail, giving you the option to call them back or not.