Area Code 315: Location, Time Zone, Scams & How to Block

With more and more spam calls and texts happening, people are being really careful about picking up from unknown numbers. Have you ever kept getting calls or texts from unknown phone numbers with 315 area code and wonder if 315 area code is a scam? Let’s explore whether the 315 area code signifies legitimate calls or might be a potential avenue for fraudulent activities.

What is Area Code 315

It serves the north-central area of the U.S. state of New York. The most populous cities in area code 315 are Syracuse, Utica, Watertown, Auburn, and Rome. Area code 315 is created by AT&T and the Bell System in 1947 to serve the central upstate of New York including Syracuse. Area code 315 was overlaid with area code 680 which was officially put in service in the year 2017. Area code 315 is also one of the 86 original codes in the North American Numbering Plan.

Where is Area Code 315

The 315 Area Code refers to the location in the state of New York. Area Code 315 is one of the 269 three-digit telephone area codes in the USA. It covers roughly 7,345,998 unique phone numbers and 634,476 individuals near the cities of Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown.

The Time zone of Area Code 315

The 315 area code lies within the Eastern Daylight Time Zone (or EDT).

Is 315 Area Code a Scam?

Police are warning Central New Yorkers to be wary of callers, even with a 315 area code, claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Investigators with the Utica Police Department said in a news release over the weekend that a large-scale, national phone scam has come to Central New York, with callers using a 315 area code to deceive victims. Investigators said the victims of these scams have been taxpayers of many backgrounds, including recent immigrants.

Here’s what to know about these scams, according to the Utica Police Department.

The callers

The callers, who claim to be IRS employees, often go to great lengths to be convincing. They trick victims into believing they are from the IRS by using fake names and “bogus” identification badge numbers. They call prepared with a lot of information about their targets. They also alter their caller ID information, so the calls appear to be from a local or government phone number. Police said they do this by using voice calls over an Internet connection. The con artist could be calling from anywhere in the world, regardless of the area code victims see when they pick up the phone.

The scam

The callers in these scams will use a variety of tricks to steal victims’ money and personal information. Investigators found many victims are being told they owe money to the IRS and must pay promptly. The scam artists then tell the victims they have to pay through a debit card or wire transfer. Victims have also been told they will be receiving a refund from the IRS. The victims are then asked to reveal private information. Victims who don’t pick up the phone are left with urgent call-back requests.

Some Spam Phone Numbers from Area Code 315

How to Block 315 Area Code Scam Calls or Texts?

Register at DoNotCall

The FTC runs The National Do Not Call Registry, allowing people who want to block unwanted calls to sign up with their phone numbers. Companies must respect it, which means they are prohibited from calling the numbers the registry contains.

However, this only applies to telemarketing calls. By signing up, you shouldn’t get any annoying calls from ISPs and other companies trying to sell you stuff, but you can still get political, survey, and other similar calls. Signing up also won’t eliminate scam calls, as shady characters normally don’t care much about the law.

Block The Spam Number on the Android or iPhone

If you are getting unwanted calls or texts from 315 area code numbers, there is a possibility that your number has been leaked online and scammers or spammers are trying to verify the identity and proceed with the scamming. 

On Android, you should go to Call History. Tap on “i” Next to the Phone Number and select Block.

On iPhone, you can go to Calls List. Click on Circled “i”, select More Information, and Select Block Caller.

Install a Spam Call Blocker App

You can also use the third-party app RealCall to block telemarketers and scams. RealCall is a tool that focuses on blocking spam calls and spam text messages for both iOS and Android. Based on a strong number database and continuous iteration of blocking rules, it can effectively block 99% of robocalls, fraudulent calls, marketing calls, and of course, spam SMS. RealCall blocks numbers that are on the Global Blacklist of spam numbers, which is updated daily. When a number on this global blacklist calls you, it will automatically be blocked by RealCall.

Consult Your Carrier about Scam-Blocking Services

Additionally, the big three US carriers offer apps and services to help their users fight unwanted calls. Features differ from carrier to carrier, as do pricing and availability. Most work the same as the apps described above, which means they’ll notify you when you get a spam call or block it so it won’t even reach you. You can check out what each carrier has on offer via the links below:

• AT&T Call Protect
• T-Mobile Scam Shield
• Verizon Call Filter
• Sprint’s Call Screener