What are St. Tammany Parish Area Codes?
Introduced as part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), an area code refers to the first three-digit numbers beginning any North American telephone number. It identifies a particular service area in the country and indicates a numbering plan area (NPA). An area code helps the recipient identify the origin of a phone call.
Currently, two area codes cover St. Tammany Parish. These are:
Area Code 504
Area code 504 is the telephone area code that serves St. Tammany Parish and four other counties in Louisiana. These counties include Jefferson, Orleans, Bernard, and Plaquemines. Area code 504 was the original area code created to serve all of Louisiana. However, in 1967 most of the State west of the Mississippi River was split off as area code 318. Area code 504 covers 14 cities in Louisiana. Some of which include Slidell, Kenner, Barataria, Lafitte, etc.
Area Code 985
Area code 985 covers most parts of Southeastern Louisiana excluding the inner ring of the New Orleans area. 985 covers St. Tammany Parish and 11 other counties in Louisiana. It was created in 2001 when it was split off from area code 504. This area code currently covers over 8 cities in St. Tammany Parish. These cities include Abita Springs, Covington, Folsom, Madisonville, Mandeville, Pearl River, etc.
Residents of St.Tammany Parish can use area code lookup tools to find out more about strange callers. A reverse phone number lookup also provides important information about the origin of the call.
What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in St. Tammany Parish?
A 2018 National Center of Health Statistics Survey estimated that 57.6% of adults in Louisiana used only wireless telephony services, while adults who used only landlines accounted for 4.2% of the adult population in the state. Adults who used wireless telephony service as their preferred choice accounted for 17.9 of the adult population, while 5% used landlines as their number one choice. A total of 12% of the adult population used both landlines and wireless telephony service in Louisiana.
The gap is more evident among minors (under 18 years), as 67.8% of them used wireless only. By contrast, 2.7% used landlines as their only choice. 18.1% used wireless telephone services as their first choice, while 1.7% opted for landline as the preferred choice. These statistics indicated that cell phones have overtaken landlines as the preferred means of telecommunications in the state.
St. Tammany Parish County is home to all four major phone networks. These carriers provide excellent coverage throughout the county. However, there are several Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) serving as alternative carriers for residents. In the State of Louisiana, AT&T has the best carrier coverage with 88%. T-Mobile follows with network coverage of 84%. Verizon comes third with 72% while Sprint has only 64% coverage. Although the County enjoys fair coverage from these phone network providers, service availability can be inconsistent in rural areas.
Residents and businesses in St Tammany Parish are making a switch to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. Several companies are offering these services at competitive rates. Compared to landlines and wireless telephone services, VoIP services are more flexible. However, VoIP is more effective in business than residential use. With a residential package, users generally receive only basic services, such as Caller ID, while business owners can choose from several features and tools to facilitate business operations and growth.
What are St. Tammany Parish Phone Scams?
St. Tammany Parish County phone scams refer to phone calls or texts that target county residents and aim to fraudulently obtain money or personal information from them. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Department, and other consumer protection agencies provide important information and alerts about scams prevalent in the county. Reverse phone number lookup services help identify perpetrators of phone scams. Residents who are victims of phone scams can file their complaints with the St Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. Common phone scams in St.Tammany Parish County include:
What are St. Tammany Parish Law Enforcement Impersonation Scams?
In these scams, the scammer impersonates a law enforcement agency, especially the Sheriff's Department. Scammers inform their targets that they are guilty of offenses; such as missed jury duties or unpaid tickets. The caller claims that a warrant was issued for the target's arrest but that these can be cleared if they pay a certain amount. Scammers promise their targets that arrests can be avoided once payments are made. They typically request payments in bitcoins, prepaid gift cards, or bank wire transfers. Residents must disregard such information as county law enforcement agencies will not solicit for money over the phone, neither will these agencies call to inform you about warrants.
Residents may use any phone number lookup service to find out who called them. However, scammers may spoof their caller ID information to display the phone number of law enforcement agencies. In this case, residents should visit the agency in person before making any kind of payment.
What are St. Tammany Parish Business and Investment Scams?
In this scam, the scammer contacts county residents and informs them of new business investment. The scammer claims that the value of certain public goods or services will continue to rise, and partnering with the company increases your chance of earning a fortune. An example is the new Covid-19 scam, where the scammer informs the target to invest in vaccines or any other health package. Scammers often make bogus promises they cannot keep. Legitimate businesses will not call you for the first time to talk about investments, except there is some sort of permission. Individuals can determine whether the calls are from legitimate businesses using reverse phone lookup services.
What are St. Tammany Parish Social Security Scams?
In these scams, the scammer calls and informs residents that their social security numbers are compromised. To appear legitimate, most scammers spoof their caller ID information to display the name or number of the Social Security Administration (SSA). Scammers say the social security numbers have been used on multiple occasions by someone other than their targets. They make the target think the social security number is linked to a crime. To resolve the situation, the scammer tells the target to make some payments. Scammers ask the victim to make the payment by gift cards, bitcoins, or bank wire transfers. Scammers request targets financial information as part of the information needed to resolve the issues.
The SSA does not contact citizens to solicit money or confidential information. Residents who have received this type of phone call should report to the county sheriff's department immediately. Reverse phone searches can identify if such calls are actually from the SSA.
What are St. Tammany Parish Financial Institution Scams?
In these scams, the caller impersonates the target financial institution to steal money or financial information from them. There are many variants of financial institution scams. However, in most cases, the caller claims to work for your financial institution. An instance is the credit card scam, where the victim is informed that their credit card is involved in fraudulent activity. To resolve the issue, the scammer tells the target to give up certain information on the credit card. The information may include the credit card number or pin. Scammers intend to use these numbers to steal targets' money without their knowledge.
Financial institutions do not request such information. Even if there is a problem with your credit card, it will not be resolved over the telephone. Conducting a reverse phone number lookup by address is an excellent way to deal with the situation. A free reverse phone number search helps identify the origin of the call. Even if the caller ID information displays your financial institution number, do not give up any sensitive information till you visit the bank.
What are St. Tammany Parish Licence Renewal Scams?
License renewal scams target residents of the county who possess licenses or permits in the state or county. In these scams, the callers pose as employees of government agencies and inform the targets that their licenses need to be renewed. Scammers may claim that certain changes must be made to the licenses. An example of license renewal scams is the driver's license scam, where the caller requests for the target's driver's license number to resolve an issue. Scammers make use of such information to apply for government benefits in the person's name. Residents can use number lookup services to identify the callers.
Employees of government agencies will not ask for personal information they should have. Residents who have received such calls may find out who the numbers are registered to using reverse phone number applications. However, phone scammers can spoof Caller ID to display government agencies’ numbers. Residents should call the agencies in question for clarification.
What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?
Robocalls are calls that deliver automated or prerecorded messages using computerized auto-dialers. Telemarketing businesses, politicians, and non-profit organizations mostly use robocalls. These types of calls allow individuals and businesses to reach multiple residents in short periods. Robocalls do not require an actual person to be on the line before they are sent. These basic features are the reasons phone scammers prefer robocalls.
Scammers use robocalls to impersonate legitimate businesses and scam unsuspecting citizens. The use of robocalls by legitimate businesses makes it difficult for individuals to identify potential scam calls. A reverse phone number search can help identify incoming robocalls.
Residents of St. Tammany Parish County may also add their phone numbers to the Louisiana Do Not Call Registry. Including your number in the registry reduces the number of calls you receive from telemarketers. However, you can contact the Louisiana Public Service Commission if the calls persist. The commission can assist with information about who called you.
Some options to deal with illegal robocalls are:
- Hang up once you realize it is a robocall. Do not follow any of the instructions given during the call. These lead to more unsolicited messages from the system.
- Register on Louisiana Do Not Call Program database. Phone numbers listed on the registry for 30 to 120 days are exempted from receiving robocalls.
- Residents may also register on the National Do Not Call database. Phone numbers listed on the registry for 31 days or more are exempted from these calls. Any robocalls received after this period are most likely scam calls.
- Reverse phone number services are capable of identifying robocalls. You can use either the area code lookup or the number lookup service. Once you have these numbers, block them.
- Register complaints with the FTC online or by calling 1-(888)-382-1222.
The FTC also provides residents of St. Tammany Parish County with consumer tips on blocking unwanted calls on their website.
How to Spot and Report St. Tammany Parish Phone Scams?
Scammers are always in search of new ways to steal from innocent citizens. The best way to deal with scams is through education and vigilance. Reverse phone lookup services can help identify potential scam calls before it is too late. Signs that a phone call is a scam include:
- Use of aggressive and persuasive means to coerce victims into giving up personal information. These usually include threats of arrests, fines, suspension, withdrawal of permit, or revocation of license.
- Deals, offers, and opportunities requiring you to pay a token first.
- Specific instructions on how to make payments. Scammers ask victims to make payments by gift cards, bitcoins, or transfer to specific accounts.
- Unsolicited requests from strangers for confidential information are mostly fraudulent schemes.
Companies that conduct phone number searches can assist you with information about the caller. Residents of St. Tammany Parish must be informed of the prevalent scam schemes in the county. Several public institutions in the State of Louisiana and St. Tammany Parish County provide updates on phone scams in the county. These institutions include:
Louisiana's Office of the Attorney General’s Public Protection Division is committed to helping St.Tammany Parish County residents and residents in every other part of Louisiana deal with phone scams through consumer education. The Office accepts complaints on scams and frauds perpetrated in the state. Residents can file complaints using the Online Consumer Dispute Form The Office may also assist in finding scammers using phone number search tools.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Office- The Sheriff Office provides residents of the county with recent information on identity theft. Residents can report scams and frauds at Slidell Administrative Building. The Sheriff assists residents who have been victims of phone scams to identify the scammer. Any good reverse phone lookup service can work.
Louisiana Public Service Commission - Telephone Fraud Information provides updates on the recent identity theft and telemarketing fraud in the state. The commission also maintains the state's Do Not Call Registry. Residents may file complaints if they keep receiving unsolicited calls after their phone numbers have been enrolled on the state's registry. Residents may identify potential scam calls with the help of phone lookup tools.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - The FTC protects consumers from unauthorized and fraudulent practices. The National Do Not Call Registry is part of the efforts to limit unsolicited calls. However, residents may file complaints if the calls persist.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - The FCC provides extensive information to help residents avoid potential scams. However, in the occurrence of any form of phone scams, victims may file complaints with the FCC Consumer Complaint Center.