Area Code 661: Location, Time Zone, Scams & How to Block

Area codes are essential components of telephone numbers that identify a specific geographic location. Area code 661 is no exception, and it is one of the unique area codes in the United States. This article will explore the location, time zone, history, industries, and scams associated with area code 661, and provide guidance on how to block spam calls from this area code.

Where is Area Code 661?

The Southern California region of the United States is home to area code 661. Cities in the area include, among others, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Santa Clarita. Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties are included in the area code’s coverage. Area codes 760, 805, and 559 form its eastern, western, and northern boundaries, respectively.

What is Area Code 661?

The area code 661 is a North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area code. It was created in 1999 when it was split from the 805 area code. The split was necessary because the 805 area code was running out of phone numbers due to the population growth in the region. Today, the 661 area code serves about 2.3 million people.

The Time Zone of Area Code 661

Pacific Time Zone (PT), which is eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time, is the time zone for area code 661. (UTC-8). The western United States, which includes California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, is covered by this time zone.

The History of Area Code 661

Area code 661 has a relatively short history. As mentioned earlier, it was created in 1999 when it was split from the 805 area code. The split was necessary due to the rapid growth of the population in the region, which led to an increase in the demand for phone numbers.

The Industries of Area Code 661

Agriculture, energy, healthcare, aerospace, and defense are among the industries that locate in area code 661 home. One of the biggest cities in the area, Bakersfield, is well-known for producing oil and other agricultural products like pistachios, almonds, and grapes. The aerospace sector is based in Lancaster and Palmdale, whereas Santa Clarita is noted for its medical facilities.

Is 661 Area Code a Scam?

Admittedly, area code 661 is linked to some frauds, including the IRS scam, in which con artists call people pretending to be IRS agents and demand payment for past-due taxes. If their victims don’t agree, the con artists frequently threaten to have them arrested or taken to court. Other scams including the car warranty scam, the social security scam, and the credit card scam are also linked to the area code 661.

Some Spam Phone Numbers from Area Code 661

Here are some known spam phone numbers associated with the 661 area code:

How to Block 661 Area Code Scam Calls?

One way to block 661 area code scam calls is to use a call-blocking app or service. There are many call-blocking apps available for both Android and iOS devices, some of which are free and some require a fee. These apps can automatically screen and block calls from known scam numbers, including those with the 661 area code.

Here are some popular call-blocking apps:

RealCall

Top 1 call-blocking app, ever!

RealCall is able to auto-block spam calls and texts and robocalls and identify suspicious scam calls. With a millions-of-number list database, it automatically blocks unwanted calls and texts based on customization.

Truecaller

This app identifies and blocks spam calls and messages, including those from the 661 area code.

Hiya

This app automatically blocks known spam and fraud calls, including those with the 661 area code.

RoboKiller

This app uses artificial intelligence to identify and block scam calls, including those from the 661 area code.

In addition to using a call-blocking app or service, you can also manually block numbers on your phone. For example, on an iPhone, you can go to your recent calls list, tap the “i” next to the number you want to block, and then select “Block this Caller.” On an Android phone, you can go to your call log, long-press the number you want to block, and then select “Block number” or “Add to reject list.”

Remember that scammers may use a variety of different phone numbers, so it’s important to be vigilant and cautious when receiving calls from unknown numbers. If you suspect a call is a scam, hang up and report it to the Federal Trade Commission.