Area Codes starting with 800, 866, 877 and 888 are TOLL FREE AREA CODES. Area code 855 was introduced on Oct 2, 2010.
With toll free numbers the charges are paid for by the party who is called instead
of the caller. These toll free numbers are not assigned to any geographical area
and are regulated by the FCC. Toll free area codes are assigned by the the North
American Numbering Plan (NANP). Currently the toll free area codes for use within
the United States, Canada and other countries which are members of the North American
Number Plan are 800, 866, 877, and 888. Area code 855 was implemented on October
2, 2010 as a new toll free number.
Toll free numbers have been very successful for business owners and consumers. Businesses
often provide their customers with toll free numbers to order products or provide
customer service. It has been noted that the customers are more likely to contact
the business if the call is free.
In most cases businesses can capture the caller's area code and phone number even
if the caller has blocked caller id. This helps them verify the identification of
the caller. You too can verify any phone number or area code number by using the
VerifyPhone.com's phone lookup service on homepage.
Toll Free Directory Assistance is available at 1-800-555-1212. Read more about toll
free numbers at the FCC
website, including information about how to obtain a toll free number or file a
complaint. The
Federal Trade Commission also has information about toll free numbers and
how to protect yourself against scams.