Callers will now need to include area code with phone number for local calls

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HUDSON VALLEY – Due to an FCC change, Hudson Valley residents and businesses in the 845 and 914 area codes will be required to dial the area code to make local calls beginning on Sunday, October 24.  The change does not include calls to 911.

The FCC has adopted 988 as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, necessitating this new shift to 10-digit dialing in the affected area codes; this change is occurring in 35 states since there were 82 area codes, including 845 and 914, that use 988 as a prefix.

Wireless customers nationwide may dial either 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline now; landline customers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022. Additional information is available at www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.

Beginning October 24, local calls dialed with only seven digits may not be completed, and a recording may inform residents that their call cannot be completed as dialed. If callers receive this recording, they must hang up and dial again using the area code and the seven-digit number.

Prior to the change, residents and businesses are encouraged to reprogram all services, automatic dialing equipment or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to seven-digit local numbers to complete calls to 10-digit numbers, including the area code.  Examples of services or devices which will need to be updated include:

 

  • life safety systems and medical monitoring devices;
  • PBXs
  • fax machines
  • internet dial-up numbers;
  • fire or burglar alarm systems;
  • other security systems or gates;
  • speed dialers;
  • mobile or other wireless phone contact lists;
  • call forwarding settings; and
  • voicemail services.

 

Callers will need to continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.



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Todd Bender

Todd Bender started as a stringer before rising through the ranks to Dutchess County Bureau Chief. Bender is the senior investigative reporter for Mid Hudson News, focusing on crime and government. He is an avid angler and is likely to be organizing his collection of unused fishing lures while watching replays of council or board meetings and simultaneously complaining about the lack of time to go fishing.