Area codes 876 and 658
Area code 876 is the local telephone area code of Jamaica. The 876 area code was created during a split from the original 809 area code. This was done on or around[when?] the date May 1997.
Area code 876 serves the country’s three mobile operators – Cable and Wireless (marketed as LIME – Landline, Internet, Mobile and Entertainment), Digicel, and Oceanic Digital (operating as MiPhone and now known as Claro since late 2008). Also served by area code 876 are the country's two landline providers - Cable & Wireless and Columbus Communications (marketed as Flow Jamaica).
In recent years [when?] the 876 area code has become notorious with lottery and sweepstake fraud originating in Jamaica, US residents have been scammed by these calls announcing lottery winnings or UPS pickup with instructions to call back a number with an 876 area code.
Jamaica recently [when?] announced the Law Reform Fraudulent Transactions Special Provisions Act to put a stop to such illicit activities. The bill, which has been passed in the House of Representatives awaits debate in the Senate.
The area code (876) is not a toll-free number and calls from any other area code are billed at international long distance rates.
Local calls within Jamaica are seven digits. Calls to Jamaica from anywhere in the NANP area are 1-876 + seven digit phone number.
One Ring Scam
The 876 area code has been linked to a form of telephone fraud known as the "one ring scam". The person perpetuating the scam calls the victim via a robodialer or similar means, sometimes at odd hours of the night, then hangs up when the phone is answered with the hope that they will be curious enough to call the number back. When the victim does this, an automatic $19.95 international call fee is charged to their account, as well as $9.00/min thereafter. Similar scams have been linked to Grenada (area code 473), Antigua (area code 268), Jamaica (area code 876), the Dominican Republic (area code 809) and the British Virgin Islands (area code 284).[1]
See also
References
External links
- Quick on lotto scam bill, slow on crime cure - Jamaica Gleaner
- North American Numbering Plan Administrator
- List of exchanges from AreaCodeDownload.com, 876 Area Code
| North: Country code +53 in Cuba | ||
| West: 345 | Area code 876 | East: Country code +509 in Haiti |
| South: Caribbean Sea | ||
| Cayman Islands area codes: 345 | ||
18°10′09″N 77°22′11″W / 18.1691°N 77.3698°W
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