What are Chester County Area Codes?
Chester County area codes are three-digit codes assigned to the designated telephone service areas in the county. Area codes were established by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) to identify the various telephone service areas known as Numbering Plan Areas (NPA). They precede the local telephone numbers and are used when making calls between different NPAs. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) handles the implementation of area codes for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
There are two active area codes in Chester County. These are:
Area Code 610
Split from the 215 Pennsylvania telephone area code in 1994, area code 610 covers Chester County and many others in the commonwealth. The communities served by this area code in Chester County include West Chester, Oxford, Elverson, Coatesville, Modena, New London, and Downingtown.
Area Code 484
Area code 484 overlays the 610 NPA and entered into service in 1999.
What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in Chester County?
Data analysis of a 2018 CDC survey indicates that landline telephony service usage is gradually phasing out in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Only about 4.3% of the total adult population still used landline phones solely for their telecommunication purposes. In contrast, an estimated 43.4% had adopted cellphones exclusively for their telephony services.
Chester County residents are increasingly communicating using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as several companies now offer the services at attractive rates. VoIP uses IP networks to transmit video and voice signals and offers numerous advantages over traditional telephone services. It requires internet-enabled devices to function, but it utilizes the data networks of the world wide web for service delivery, eliminating most infrastructural issues. Residents can make long-distance phone calls at local rates using VoIP services.
The primary phone carriers and several Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MNVOs) provide network service and spread in Chester County. However, there are communities within the county that enjoy better reception than others. Sprint does not have any coverage in the Borough of West Chester, and its network coverage is generally low in Chester County. T-Mobile has a spread of 94%, AT&T is 82%, while Verizon covers 74% of the borough.
What are Chester County Phone Scams?
Chester County phone scams are deceptive practices aimed at extorting money and information from residents using telephone services. These scams are perpetrated by robocalls, text messages, and human-initiated phone calls. It is possible to uncover suspicious callers’ identities by using applications that provide reverse phone lookup services. The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General (POAG) provides education on recognizing and avoiding phone scams. Report cases of phone scams in Chester County to the POAG online or call the FTC on 1 (888) 382-1222. The Chester County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) is responsible for investigating phone scams incidents reported by county residents.
The following are some of the prevalent phone scams in Chester County:
What are Tech Support Scams?
Tech support scams are perpetrated by fraudsters who pretend to be employees of reputable computer companies. The scammers pose as technical representatives of Google or Microsoft and offer fake support to their targets in bids to steal their money and identities. Their claims range from helping out on compromised identities to resolving malware infections on computers. These scammers typically request remote access to their targets' computers to determine the supposed issues. They frighten targets who are reluctant to grant them access with stories of virus vulnerabilities and identity losses to get them to capitulate. The scammers then offer to fix these "issues" for specific charges and usually request credit card information for payments. Many Chester County residents have lost money and sensitive information to these scams.
The Chester County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) advises residents to be aware of these scams and avoid them. Granting remote access to unknown persons exposes you to significant risk, and you should never do this. Real tech support persons will never request your credit card details for payments, and computer companies do not randomly initiate contact with their customers. Report incidents of tech support scams to the CCSO by calling (610) 344-6850 or online to the FTC.
What are Jury Duty Scams?
Jury duty scams are prevalent in many parts of the United States. Scammers are impersonating deputy sheriffs and calling residents to inform them that they missed jury duty and need to pay fines to avoid arrests. Some scammers perpetrate these scams using prepaid cell phones to place calls, making it difficult to track them. They also use the names and badge numbers of real deputy sheriffs to convince their targets. The scammers tell the victims to purchase prepaid gift cards and provide them with the card information.
Be aware that contact between the Chester County Court and jurors is by mail, and court officials do not randomly call residents. The Chester County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) does not require anyone to pay fines in exchange for missed jury duty. If anyone calls you about jury duty and requests money, notify the Chester County Jury Services Office by calling (610) 344-6174. Persons who fall victim to jury duty scams in Chester County can inform the CCSO by calling (610) 344-6850. They can also file complaints of such incidents with the POAG online.
What are One-Ring Phone Scams?
In these scams, callers place repeated calls to Chester County residents and hang up after one or two rings in calculated attempts to defraud them. The scams work when the targets return these calls. Getting repeated calls is quite strange, and most targeted residents are often curious to know who called. Many of these calls are from overseas but spoofed to display Chester County area codes. Residents who return such calls are billed excessively for international toll fees and connection charges. These charges are paid to the scammers, and the victims are unaware until they receive their monthly statements.
The Chester County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) urges residents to desist from answering or returning calls from numbers they do not recognize to avoid such scams. They also warn them to stop relying on caller IDs as scammers regularly spoof Caller IDs to deceive people. Residents who do not frequently make international calls can contact their phone companies to block outgoing international calls on their phone lines. If you fall victim to a one-ring scam, file a complaint online with the FCC or report to the CCSO by calling (610) 344-6850.
What are COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scams?
Chester County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) warns residents to beware of fraudsters pretending to be COVID-19 contact tracers. Contact tracers help curb coronavirus spread in the county by identifying residents who have been in contact with persons who tested positive for the virus. They reach out to them and offer support with education and instructions on self-isolation. Scammers are now posing as contact tracers and taking advantage of their processes to unlawfully obtain residents' financial and personal information. They ask for bank account information and social security numbers alongside other personal details such as dates of birth and mothers’ maiden names. Legitimate tracers do not require such confidential information and will never ask for such.
The authorities warn that real contact tracers will never ask for any details unrelated to your contact with COVID-19 patients. If you receive this type of call, glean as much information as possible and report to the Sheriff's Office at (610) 344-6850. Victims of COVID-19 scams can register their complaints online with the FTC or call 1 (888) 382-1222.
What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?
Robocalls are automated messages delivered to designated residents by telephone calls. Although robocalls can be irritating, not all are illegal, as believed by many residents. Telemarketers, political campaign organizations, and government agencies deploy robocalls in disseminating information to a selected mass audience. However, scammers engage unsuspected residents using spam calls in attempts to steal money and personal information. Some scammers spoof robocalls to make their phone calls appear to be originating from trusted and legitimate entities. The best course of actions to avoid robocall scams are:
- File reports of robocall scams online with the FTC or call 1 (888) 382-1222. The FCC takes residents' complaints on spoofed robocalls via its complaints center.
- End a phone call immediately you realize it is a robocall. Do not listen further to avoid being led to pressing keys that will earn you repeated robocalls.
- Enlist your phone number on Pennsylvania Do Not Call List, and the National Do Not Call Registry to stop unsolicited calls. The only set of unwanted calls that will come through your phone after registration are illegal robocalls.
- Block each robocall number that calls you by using third-party applications on your cell phones. Most phone companies also offer call-blocking services. All you need to do is make inquiries.
To prevent robocall scams, Chester County residents can implement the tips provided by the FCC on how to stop unwanted robocalls and avoid phone scams.
How Can You Spot and Report Chester County Phone Scams?
A scammer typically pretends to be who they are, not in a bid to extort money and personal information. They do this to earn the targeted persons’ trust, making it easier for them to complete the frauds. Consumer education is key to combating phone scams. The responsibility of protecting and educating residents against phone scams lies with some relevant government agencies. Performing reverse phone lookups for suspicious phone numbers can help residents avoid phone scams. Signs of potential phone scams to bear in mind include:
- Scammers will pretend to be law enforcement agents and threaten you with arrest to get you to send money immediately. Real law enforcement agents will never threaten residents over the phone.
- Unknown callers who ask you to send money via irregular channels in attempts to sell products are scammers. Their preferred means of payment include cash, prepaid cards, and wire transfers.
- Scammers will claim that you won a prize but will request that you verify personal information or pay upfront fees to access such winnings. They mostly insist on taking credit card information to receive payments.
- Persons who pose as IRS agents and requesting that you confirm your social security number are scammers. The IRS has your information on file, and its agents will never ask for it over the phone.
- If your phone number is on Pennsylvania Do Not Call List and the DNC Registry, you should not receive telemarketers' robocalls. If you do, it is a potential scam.
The government agencies protecting and educating Chester County residents against phone scams also provide platforms for reporting perpetrated scams. These agencies include:
Chester County Sheriff's Office - The CCSO is in charge of investigating reported phone scams in the county. It works closely with other agencies in fighting this menace. Residents can file in-person scam complaints with the CCSO at 201 W Market Street, Suite 1210, West Chester, PA 19382, or by calling (610) 344-6850.
Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General - The POAG ensures the safety of residents. Chester County residents who are victims of phone scams can file complaints online with the Attorney General’s Office or by calling (717) 787-3391. Interested residents can sign up for phone scams alerts to keep abreast of the latest scams.
Federal Communications Commission - The FCC provides guides on how to block unwanted robocalls and avoid phone scams. Persons in Chester County who believe they may be victims of spoofed robocalls can report to the FCC by calling 1 (888) 225-5322 or online.
Federal Trade Commission - The FTC urges residents to enroll their phone numbers on the DNC Registry to prevent robocall scams. The Commission protects residents against phone scams by providing the information needed to avoid them. You can report phone scams in Chester County to the FTC online or by calling 1 (888) 382-1222.