What are Carroll County Area Codes?

What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in Carroll County?

In the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) established by Bell Systems in the 1940s, area codes were created as routing tools to help automate telephony communications. The existing system at the time leaned heavily on using human operators to switch and route calls. Area codes were created as three-digit codes before the usual seven-digit telephone numbers which indicated the geographical area associated with telephone numbers. An area code is useful in identifying the origin and destination of a phone call. For quick information about a specific area code, use area code lookup tools online.

Currently, three area codes serve Carroll County - Area codes 678, 770, and 470.

Area Code 678

Area code 678 was put in service on January 6, 1998, and was created from area code 770. In 2010, area code 678 was split to create area code 470. Area code 678 serves as an overlay for the 404 and 770-area codes. Area code 678 covers Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, and Atlanta.

Area Code 770

Area code 770 was first used on August 1, 1995, following its creation from area code 404. It overlaps coverage areas with area codes 470 and 678. Other locations covered by the 770-area code include Marietta, Smyrna, Dunwoody, Mableton, Gainesville, and Newnan.

Area code 470

Area code 470 was first put in service on February 26, 2010, and was created from area code 678. Area code 470 serves as an overlay for area code 770 and area code 404 and covers the combined area. Locations served by this area code include Mableton, East Point, Milton, Redan, and Peachtree City.

The ability to communicate with people on the move has evolved remarkably in recent decades and has seen many people move away from static wired telephony to more mobile wireless telephony services. According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2018, 59.0% of Georgia residents aged 18 and above used wireless-only telephony service, while 3.5% used wired telephony service exclusively. Among residents below the age of 18, 69.2% used wireless-only telephony service, while 2.7% used wired-only telephony service.

In recent years, the wireless industry in the United States has become more competitive and innovative leading to a situation where the competitors have improved coverage and services across many states, cities, and towns. When shopping for a cell phone plan now, residents are spoilt for choice among many offers. However, if you find a plan that meets your needs and fits your budget, the next step should be to check the coverage of the wireless provider in your local area.

While coverage in Carroll County is good for all four major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Verizon has the best overall coverage in the county seat of Carrollton with a coverage score of 98%. AT&T's coverage is rated 70%, T-Mobile has a coverage score of 62%, while Sprint's coverage is rated 46%.

You can also purchase cell phone plans from smaller carriers known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) operating in Carroll County. MVNOs tend to offer cheaper plans than the MNOs and do not require credit checks to get started. MVNOs may be the way to go for people who prefer prepaid phone plans and own unlocked working smartphones. MVNOs use one or several major networks to provide customers with cell phone services.

Another choice used by some Carroll County residents to cut down on phone bills is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Instead of using telephone lines, VoIP turns all communication data into packets that are sent over IP networks. The IP network may be your Internet connection, a direct IP connection, or a combination of both. With voice calls traveling across the Internet, VoIP telephone providers do not have to lay expensive physical phone lines. This saves them huge amounts of money for telephone users.

What are Carroll County Phone Scams?

Carroll County phone scams deceptive acts and cons of scam of crooks perpetrated using the telephones to steal sensitive personal information or defraud unsuspecting Carroll County residents. Phone scammers now use advanced tactics to appear legitimate. Scammers use caller ID spoofing techniques to mimic the caller ID information of reputable agencies. They also use robocalls to make thousands of calls, casting their net wide, hoping to catch a few people unawares. Common phone scams perpetrated in Carroll County include government grant scams, IRS scams, credit card scams, and disaster-relief scams. Carroll County residents may use free reverse phone lookup tools to ascertain the true origins of suspicious phone numbers.

What are Carroll County Government Grant Scams?

Government grant scammers use the promise of financial largesse from the government as bait to trick targets into giving them money or releasing confidential information. Targets typically receive calls from alleged government officials claiming that they have become eligible for free government money. However, to access the grant or cash, targets are told they have to pay one-time processing fees for the money to get transferred into their accounts. Some may be told to share their bank account information and Social Security numbers to obtain direct deposits of the promised funds. Phone lookup applications can help uncover the true identities of government scam callers.

What are Carroll County Disaster-Relief Scams?

When disaster strikes, such as pandemics or weather-related mishaps, so do con artists. Hiding behind the guise of an actual disaster-relief organization, a scammer may use a tragedy or natural disaster to extort money out of targets. By getting them to believe that they are donating to emergency-relief funds, victims unknowingly provide credit cards or other electronic payment information. You can use a reverse cell phone lookup tool to verify if a caller’s identity matches the name given.

What are Carroll County IRS Scams?

IRS scams are dangerous and aggressive. The callers claim to represent the Internal Revenue Service or identify themselves as IRS inspectors. They provide badge numbers to supposedly prove they are who they pretend to be. Targets are informed that they owe overdue bills that must be paid within a short period of time. These scammers intimidate targets with threats of arrest if the "debts" are not paid immediately. They want the payments made either by gift cards or prepaid debit cards. In other instances, they may allow targets to negotiate the amount to be paid provided payments would be made instantly.

Note that the IRS does not communicate with taxpayers by phone calls. Individuals with unpaid tax bills will first receive notices by U.S. Mail. Reverse phone number lookup applications can prevent residents from falling victim to the IRS scam.

What are Carroll County Credit Card Scams?

In the credit card scam, callers identify themselves as agents working with the Security and Fraud Department of Visa or MasterCard. They inform cardholders that their accounts have been flagged for unusual activities. These callers sound very legitimate, often referencing badge numbers and instructing cardholders to call the toll-free numbers on the back of their cards if they have any questions. Typically, the scammer already knows the credit card number and issuing bank.

After a few questions, the scammer informs a cardholder of the need to verify that the card has not been stolen or lost and demands the three-digit security code on the back of the card. Once the code is provided, the scammer can make online purchases with the credit card. To verify that callers are who they say they are, you can use good reverse phone lookup tools online to quickly do a number lookup or reverse number lookup.

What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?

Any call placed with the aid of auto-dialing software or device is referred to as a robocall. Regardless of whether you are sending a voicemail or prerecorded message, as long as a machine or software is doing the dialing instead of a real person, it is regarded as a robocall. Although robocalls are often used to send spam calls and scam individuals, not all robocalls are illegal.

Small business owners may use robocalls to legally market their products and services provided they adhere to the rules of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Schools, charities, and politicians are also permitted to use robocalls for campaigning purposes. Illegal marketers however flout stipulated guidelines by contacting people with numerous spam calls having not obtained their express permission. Spam calls are unwanted calls made to people without solicitation.

Reverse phone number lookup tools can help phone residents identify robocalls and avoid falling victims to robocall scams. Carroll County residents can also take the following steps to limit the intrusion of robocalls:

• Do not answer. If you are unfamiliar with a phone number, do not hesitate to let the call go directly to voicemail.
• Hang up. Do not press any numbers. Scammers usually ask you to press a number to speak with a live operator. Pressing the number indicates to the scammer that the line is active, which in turn means that more robocalls can be made to the phone line. If you press the button to speak to a live operator, the operator who doubles as the scammer will eventually ask for money or say they will remove you from their list, which ends up being untrue.
• Report robocalls online to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or call the FTC on 1 (888) 382-1222. The more complaints are filed, the more the FTC can help stop robocalls and share the information in the public space and with law enforcement agencies.
• Subscribe to the FTC's Consumer alerts.
• Contact your phone service provider if it has call-blocking tools that you can use to block unwanted calls on your phone.
• Install a third-party call-blocking app, such as Hiya, Nomorobo, and Truecaller
• Register your number in the National Do Not Call Registry.

How to Spot and Report Carroll County Phone Scams?

Using modern technology, it has become notoriously easy for scam artists to impersonate trusted businesses and government organizations. Social networking sites have also made it easier than ever to obtain the personal and family information of other people. To make their stories seem believable, scammers may involve other crooked persons who claim to be authority figures, such as law enforcement officers and lawyers. You should never lower your guard when receiving calls from unsolicited callers.

To identify phone scams, you can perform free phone number lookups for incoming calls. You should also get to know the tricks used by scam artists in order to limit the odds of falling victims to phone scams.

Be on the lookout for these red flags:

• The caller tries to rush you into making a decision: Some scammers appear to offer great deals supposedly expiring soon. Do not allow yourself to be rushed into making a decision. Majority of the legitimate offers that are good deals today will remain good deals a week from now. Buy yourself some time to consider all your options.
• The caller asks for your credit card number or Social Security number: Confidential information such as bank account information, Social Security number, credit card information should be kept secret regardless of the identity of the caller.
• The caller wants you to pay using specific payment methods: If you pay by wire transfers, gift cards, or money order, your money is gone before you realize there is a problem. Scammers prefer these methods where their identities can remain hidden. If a caller insists on one of these forms of payments, and refuses to give you options, be wary.
• The caller intimidates you with threats: Do not fall for threats of arrests, deportation, or revocation of business or driver's licenses. Scammers use these as fear tactics to get targets to do their bidding.

You can file complaints with any of the following public bodies if you have been contacted by a scammer:

• The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments: If you have received a call from a scammer, you can contact your local police department or the Carroll County Sheriff's Office at (770) 830-5888. In the county seat of Carrollton, contact the Carrollton Police Department at (770) 834-4451.
• The Georgia Attorney General’s Office: Consumers are encouraged to report scams online to the Department of Law's Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office or by calling the Department at (404) 651-8600 or (800) 869-1123 (toll-free in Georgia, outside of the metro Atlanta calling area). The Department’s representatives are available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
• The Federal Trade Commission: If you receive unsolicited calls 31 days after adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry, you can file a complaint online with the FTC.
• The Federal Communications Commission: The FCC allows you to file a complaint online if you believe you have received a call from a spam call, or if you think you are the victim of a phone scam.
• The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA): Report IRS imposters to the TIGTA. To report by phone, call TIGTA at (800) 366-4484.