What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in Forsyth County?
Area codes are the three-digit numbers created in 1947 as part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The codes are used to designate unique numbering plan areas within a state. Telephone users can identify the location of calls using area codes. While the administrator of the NANP dictates when there is a need for new area codes, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) is tasked with deciding what approach will be used for implementing the new area codes.
Three area codes are currently active in Forsyth County. These are:
Area code 678
Area code 678 is an overlay area code created for Georgia in 1998. Overlay codes are introduced after phones numbers have become exhausted. Many parts of Cumming City are covered by Area code 678.
Area code 470
Area code 470 is a phone area code in the North American Numbering Plan created in 2010. It is an overlay of area codes 770, 678, and 404. Area code 470 covers Cumming City and other parts of Forsyth County. The use of overlay area codes like area codes 470 often leads to mandatory use of ten-digit dialing.
Area code 770
Area code 770 is a Georgia overlay area code created from area code 404 through a geographical split in 1995. The three-digit NPA code was later overlaid with area codes 470 and 678. Area code 770 covers some parts of Forsyth County.
The four primary network providers in Forsyth County deliver good service to phone users. These are AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) serve as alternatives to the four main networks. These alternative phone carriers provide cheaper services but depend on the major networks for their network facilities. Network coverage in Forsyth County is excellent except for areas with varying landscapes. In the City of Cumming, the only city in Forsyth County, Verizon, and T-Mobile have the highest coverage score with 90% each. AT&T provides 86% network coverage in the city, while Sprint has a coverage score of 68%.
According to a survey published by the National Center of Health Statistics, cell phone users in Forsyth County and other parts of Georgia are more than landline users. The 2018 survey revealed that 55.8% of persons above 18 in Georgia use only cell phones. In contrast, 4.1% use landlines only. The survey also shows that 65.2% of minors use wireless telephones only, while 2.4% use landlines only.
Residents in Georgia are increasingly using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to make phone calls. VoIP services are less expensive and more versatile. Also, they require the use of broadband internet access, making it faster than traditional lines. VoIP users can use this functionality to make direct inbound dialing, web conferencing, and other functions.
What are Forsyth County Phone Scams?
These are scams perpetrated by con artists aiming to defraud residents of Forsyth County. Phone scammers deceive their targets by making dubious claims. Unsuspecting residents who fall victims to these scams give out financial and personal details to fraudsters. Anyone can avoid being a victim of phone scams if they understand the techniques that scammers use.
Spoofing is a common method phone scammers use. It falsifies caller ID, thereby allowing fraudsters to impersonate legitimate businesses and agencies. Individuals can identify spoofed calls by using reverse phone lookup services or area code lookups.
It is also essential to verify the claims of scam callers by contacting only authorized government agencies in Forsyth County and Georgia. For instance, the Forsyth County Sheriff Office is the principal law enforcement agency in the county. Residents can also file complaints with Georgia's Consumer Protection Division.
People may stop getting scam calls by conducting independent research on individuals and companies. Details of companies are provided on the Better Business Bureau platform. Reverse phone number lookup services can also be used to check callers' real identity.
Examples of phone scams in Forsyth County include:
What are Forsyth County Automatic Debit Scams?
Automatic debit scams in Forsyth County are initiated to steal individuals' bank details. In these scams, con artists may call individuals to notify them of huge winnings. The scammers often ask their targets to claim winnings by confirming the details of the checking accounts. Checking accounts are used for automatic withdrawals, and they do not require the owners' signatures. As such, scammers who have obtained the details of checking accounts can easily send demand drafts to banks to make withdrawals without individuals' consent.
County residents are advised not to give details of checking accounts to strange individuals and companies over the phone. It is best to check out organizations on the Better Business Bureau website before making transactions with them. Note that legitimate companies who ask for banking information are required to inform individuals before making automatic withdrawals. They are expected to obtain written or taped authorizations from account holders before making withdrawals. Victims of automated debit scams can file reports with the Federal Trade Commission or the Georgia Consumer Protection Division.
What are Forsyth County Jury Service Scams?
In jury scams, fraudsters threaten to prosecute individuals for failing to comply with jury service. Most jury service scams are carried out through phone calls or emails. Some scammers may use jail threats to persuade their targets to give out their social security numbers or driver's licenses. Other con artists may threaten to arrest individuals if they don't pay fines for not complying with jury duties.
Generally, individuals are required to take jury duties seriously since they are vital civic responsibilities. Nonetheless, federal or state courts do not request personal information over the phone or through emails. Personal data obtained through this means are often used for identity thefts. Most scammers ask for payments of the supposed fines to Bitcoin wallets or gift cards. These payment methods are common with scammers to ensure they are not traced. It is best to notify the Court Clerk of the Forsyth County State Court or the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
What are Forsyth County Scholarship Scams?
Young persons seeking to meet rising tuition fees are major targets of scholarship scams in Forsyth County. Being a form of financial aid scams, scholarship scams are carried out by dubious persons making false promises to pay grants and provide scholarships to students. Scammers inform individuals that they have been shortlisted to receive financial aid for their colleges but need to make payments upfront to secure their positions. Sometimes, targets are asked to provide banking information to confirm if they are eligible for the scholarships.
According to the FTC, students can determine if they are eligible for scholarships using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application is free. Individuals should not pay companies requesting processing fees to get FAFSA approval. Also, it is best to hang up calls asking for personal and bank details. Report cases of scholarship scams to the FTC or Georgia Consumer Protection Division.
What are Forsyth County Vacation Scams?
Vacation scams in Forsyth County are targeted at persons seeking dream vacations in popular resort centers. In these scams, individuals receive phone calls from dubious persons or fake travel agencies claiming they won free vacations. The scammers often request service fees upfront or processing fees into gift cards or cryptocurrency wallets. Some scammers may ask for checking account details claiming to confirm individuals' eligibility. These are all red flags of vacation scams.
According to the FTC, over 3000 US citizens lost more than $3 million to vacation scams in 2002. As such, it is essential to avoid claims of huge promises that appear too good to be true. Also, recipients of these scam calls are advised:
- Not to give strangers their personal or financial details over the phone.
- Check out legitimate travel agencies on the Better Business Bureau website
- Use suspicious phone number lookup services to find the identity of callers
- Report cases of vacation scam calls to the FTC
What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?
Robocalls and Spam calls are pre-recorded messages sent in bulk. However, while robocalls may contain relevant information, spam calls are unsolicited calls with redundant messages. According to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), telemarketers can send robocalls to persons who have given their permission. On the other hand, politicians and non-profit organizations may use robocalls without individuals' consent only to pass vital information.
Fraudsters use robocalls to carry out fraudulent activities because the robocalls keep them anonymous. Such anonymity allows them to trick innocent citizens into giving out their personal information or credit card details. County residents are advised to download free reverse phone lookup apps. With such apps, individuals can know if robocalls are from fraudsters or approved agencies.
To tackle the robocalls and spam calls problems, individuals should:
- Terminate calls with irrelevant information. Calls that ask phone users to follow prompts should also be terminated.
- Decline requests for Social Security numbers (SSN), bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Make personal research on the robocallers by using phone number search tools to find out who called.
- Block phone numbers of robocallers identified as scammers.
- Call 1-(888)-382-1222 to report frauds with the FTC.
- Register phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry (DNCR) to avoid receiving spam calls and robocalls.
How to Spot and Report Forsyth County Phone Scams?
Scammers are relentless in seeking new ways to deceive individuals and organizations. With the recent innovations in the telecommunication industry, phone scams are now as common as internet frauds. However, accurate information can help residents avoid becoming victims of scam calls.
It is vital to know who a phone number is registered to and other call details. This can be done using a free reverse phone lookup service that conducts a free phone number search by name or address. A phone call identified as a possible scam call should be blocked and reported to the nearest law enforcement agency.
Phone scammers often operate in similar manners. Individuals can use these patterns as warning signs to detect possible scam calls. Some of these warning signs are as follows:
- Scammers are often aggressive and persuasive in their demands. They need targets to make transactions immediately. As such, they threaten to arrest or revoke individuals' licenses.
- Scammers use payment systems that authorized government agencies do not accept. These unconventional systems like gift cards and cryptocurrency wallets are difficult to be trace.
- Scammers make claims to request personal details like social security numbers and driver's licenses. This information is often used for identity theft. Government agencies do not ask for personal or bank details.
- Scammers make huge promises to lure targets into making payments upfront.
Individuals who spot any of the red flags mentioned above are advised to hang up and use a reverse cell phone lookup application to figure out who the caller is. Afterward, report fraudulent activities to any of the public agencies listed below. These governmental bodies are listed below:
Forsyth County District Attorney: The Victim Witness Assistance Program created by the DA’s office provides emotional support for crime victims. Victims of scam calls can call the director of the program on (770) 205-2268.
Forsyth County 911 Center: The center dispatches emergency and non-emergency calls to all appropriate law enforcement agencies in Forsyth County. Victims or targets of scams can call the director of the center on (770) 781-3087 or 911 to report cases.
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO): As the county's major law enforcement agency, scam victims can report any fraudulent activities to the Hi-tech Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division. Contact the Sheriff’s office at:
100 East Courthouse Square
Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (770) 781-2222
Georgia Attorney General: The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division is tasked with protecting county residents from consumer fraud. Victims of fraud can file online complaints or mail written complaints to:
Consumer Protection Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Suite 356
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 651-8600
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC is a government body tasked with defending Americans from all types of scams. By registering your phone number(s) with the National Do Not Call Registry, you will reduce the chances of being a target of a phone scam. You can also report a scam call to the FTC to help others learn more about scams.