What are Middlesex County Area Codes?
Area codes are the strings of three digits that start North American telephone numbers. They were established by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) to identify numbering plan areas (NPAs) in the county. The need to simplify the processes for making long-distance phone calls led to the implementation of the NANP. In New Jersey, the Board Of Public Utilities implements and manages area codes.
Five area codes cover Middlesex County. These are:
Area Code 732
Area code 732 is a New Jersey telephone area code covering central portions of the state, including Middlesex County. It came from a split of the 908 NPA in 1997. Middlesex County locations under this area code include Carteret, East Brunswick, Edison, Highland Park, Metuchen, Monroe, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, and Woodbridge.
Area Code 848
Area code 848 is the area code that overlays the 732 NPA. It became active in 2001.
Area Code 908
Area code 908 serves the northern part of New Jersey including parts of Middlesex County. A split of the 201 NPA in 1990 created the 908 NPA. Middlesex County communities under this NPA include Dunellen, Edison, Middlesex, Piscataway, and South Plainfield.
Area Code 609
Area code 609 is a NANP telephone area code in New Jersey created in 1958 from a split of the 201 NPA. Locations under this NPA are in the state’s central and southeastern parts and include Cranbury, Monroe, Plainsboro, and South Brunswick.
Area Code 640
Area code 640 is the telephone overlay code for the 609 NPA in New Jersey. It became active in 2018.
What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in Middlesex County?
According to a 2018 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics, about 38.1% of adults in New Jersey households use wireless-only telephony services. The survey also estimated that 4.9% of the same demographic only used landlines. Among children in households across the state, 41.5% used wireless-only services, while 3.2% only used landlines. These figures suggest wireless telephony services have surpassed landline usage among Middlesex County residents.
Cell phone service is excellent in New Jersey State, with all four major phone carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint) boasting over 95% coverage. Cell phone service can, however, be tricky in rural areas and coastal regions. The state’s excellent coverage, provided by the major network operators, ensures the numerous MVNOs also offer excellent alternatives. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are smaller-sized operators that use the major operators’ infrastructure to provide phone services at lower rates.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) delivers traditional telephony services using IP networks, usually the internet. Using IP networks enables VoIP to offer more flexible and efficient service packages at lower costs than regular telephony services. Middlesex County residents can obtain VoIP services for both business and home use from the numerous companies that offer these services.
What are Middlesex County Phone Scams?
These are fraudulent acts, committed against unsuspecting Middlesex County residents, that use telephone services to obtain money and sensitive information. Reverse phone number searches can reveal information about the phone numbers used to perpetrate such scams.
The Office of Consumer Affairs of the Middlesex County Department of Public Health and Safety advocates consumer safety. Residents who have been victims of scams and frauds can file reports using the complaint forms or by calling (732) 398-2300. Residents can also report incidences of scams to their local police departments, the New Jersey Office of Consumer Protection, and the FTC. Common phone scams in Middlesex County include:
What are Bench Warrant Scams?
In these scams, the callers call (or leave voice messages) and identify themselves as employees of the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Typically, the callers spoof Caller IDs to display the MCSO caller information. The callers claim their targets have outstanding bench warrants they need to pay for or face arrest. These scammers claim the warrants were issued for offenses such as missed jury duty, missed court dates, and unpaid traffic tickets. They ask victims to make the payments through prepaid cards and send them the card information over the phone. Alternatively, they arrange to meet them outside the Sheriff’s Office to collect cash.
The MCSO warns residents that anyone purporting to be an employee of the MCSO, who makes these sorts of demands, is a scammer. Sheriff’s Office employees will not contact residents to warn them of outstanding warrants. Also, they will neither solicit payments through such methods nor ask for residents’ personal information. Residents who have been contacted by such callers should report the incidents to their local police departments.
What are Utility Scams?
Scammers contact county residents pretending to be representatives of utility companies such as Public Service Electricity and Gas (PSE&G). They claim their targets have outstanding bills and threaten to cut off utility services unless they immediately settle the debts. They ask for payments by prepaid cards or ask their targets for their financial information.
PSE&G will never call and ask residents for financial information. The utility company offers a variety of payment options and will never insist on a specific payment channel. Also, customers scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive written notices on their bills at least 15 days in advance. If you receive this type of call and doubt its legitimacy, hang up and contact PSE&G directly. Reverse phone lookup services can identify if such phone calls are legitimately from utility companies.
What are Social Security Scams?
Scammers call Middlesex County residents pretending to be employees of the Social Security Administration (SSA). The callers claim that ongoing investigations have implicated the targets’ social security numbers (SSNs) in criminal activities, such as money laundering. These scammers convince their victims that their SSNs are compromised, and they are at risk of arrest and prosecution. They then inform the victims that they can secure their financial assets and prevent forfeiture for small fees. The callers request payment in prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or ask for the victim’s financial information.
Acquiescing to the callers’ demands leads to financial losses and possibly identity thefts. SSA employees do not request payments from residents for any services and will never ask for personal information on unsolicited calls. If you receive such calls, report them to the Office of the Inspector General by calling 1 (800) 269-0271. Phone number searches can help verify if such phone calls are from the Social Security Administration.
What are Grandparent Scams?
Scammers running these cons claim to be grandchildren of their targets stuck in emergencies in far-off locations, usually foreign countries. They claim to be in car accidents, hospitalized, stranded, or arrested. The callers ask their targets to wire them money immediately to help resolve their problems. They also ask that the matters remain secret, especially from other family members. In some instances, the callers claim to be attorneys or police officers informing the targets of their grandchildren’s arrest and requesting for bail money.
Grandparent scams rely on victims’ familial concern and taking impulsive actions to help out family members in distress. Authorities warn residents not to rush into action if they receive such calls. Always take the time to confirm the authenticity of the callers’ claims by asking questions or contacting other family members. A phone number search can retrieve information to verify the authenticity of such a call. Victims of grandparent scams should file reports with their local police departments.
What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?
Robocalls are automated phone calls pre-set to deliver recorded messages to multiple phone numbers. Though robocalls serve the legitimate needs of organizations such as political campaigns, telemarketers, and nonprofits, fraudsters have co-opted them for their cons. Robocalls can deliver messages directly and anonymously to multiple recipients in a short amount of time, and these abilities have attracted scammers. Also, residents are used to receiving robocalls from legitimate sources and are more receptive to them than calls from random strangers. The best options for dealing with illegal robocalls include:
- Add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry. Including your number is this registry restricts it from receiving unauthorized spam calls after 31 days of being listed. While this does not entirely stop all unwanted calls, it makes it easier to identify illegal spam calls that are potential scams.
- End the robocall once you identify it as such. Do not follow any prompts as these just confirm your number and cause you to be targeted by more robocalls.
- Report illegal robocalls to the FTC online or by calling 1 (888) 382-1222.
- Use public websites offering phone number lookups free to verify robocall numbers and block them.
- Use call-blocking tools provided by phone manufacturers and network service providers to identify and block robocall numbers.
The FTC website provides consumer information on blocking unwanted calls on any platform.
How to Spot and Report Middlesex County Phone Scams?
Scammers are always recycling their tactics to get the better of unsuspecting residents. Because new scams are typically variations of old ones, having information on scammers’ tactics and being aware of the possibilities can help counter their actions. The most effective means of spotting and avoiding phone scams remains awareness and education.
Indicators that unknown callers are potential scammers include:
- The callers offer very attractive business and investment opportunities but never allow their targets to thoroughly research them. They insist the offers are time-sensitive and responses are required immediately.
- The callers offer winnings or free prizes but demand upfront payments for taxes and shipping. Free prizes that require upfront payments to receive are usually scams.
- The callers claim to be representatives of legitimate organizations and make unsolicited requests for personal and financial information. Legitimate organizations will not solicit customer information on random phone calls.
- The callers inform you of debts you are unaware of and demand payments via unconventional channels such as wire transfer, reloadable debit cards, and gift cards. Fraudsters favor these payment channels because funds sent through them are difficult to trace and hard to retrieve.
- The callers claim to be law enforcement and use threats to coerce compliance. Legitimate law enforcement officers do not use threats over the phone to obtain compliance.
Online services that can perform suspicious phone number lookups can supply answers to questions like “who called me?” and “who is this number registered to?” Using these tools to conduct phone number searches by name, number, and address can retrieve details about phone scammers’ identities. These services are available for free and for nominal charges.
Targets of phone scams can file reports with any of the following agencies;
Middlesex County Office of Consumer Affairs - The Office of Consumer Affairs investigates consumer complaints and seeks out violators of the Consumer Fraud Act of New Jersey. Victims of scams and frauds in the county can file reports using provided complaint forms or by calling (732) 398-2300.
Middlesex County Prosecutor - The Office of the Prosecutor investigates crimes and prosecutes perpetrators of criminal acts against county residents. Residents can contact the Prosecutor’s Office on (732) 745-3300 or by email.
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - The Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) advocates state residents’ safety and economic well-being. Residents can contact the OCP for assistance on (973) 504-6200 or by email.
Local Law Enforcement - The various local police departments in the county are the primary law enforcement agencies in their respective jurisdictions. Residents can report phone scams and other criminal activities at their local police stations.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - This is the federal authority responsible for protecting residents from deceptive and fraudulent practices. The National Do Not Call Registry is an initiative to protect consumers from unwanted calls. Phone numbers on the DNC register that continue to receive illegal robocalls are most likely targeted by phone scammers. Victims can file complaints about illegal robocalls and fraudulent acts online or by calling 1 (888) 382-1222.