617 Area Code

Where is the 617 area code?

617 is a Massachusetts area code. It covers: Boston and nearby cities such as Cambridge and Brookline. It shares its area with 857 — an overlay, so two neighbours on the same street can have different codes.

Locally, numbers are written as (617) XXX-XXXX. From outside the US they are written as +1 617 XXX XXXX.

Got a call from 617? Is it a scam?

An area code alone can't tell you who is calling. Caller ID is easy to fake, so scammers often show a local-looking number. Be careful if the caller:

• pressures you to act right now, or threatens fines, arrest or a closed account;
• asks for payment by gift card, crypto or wire transfer;
• asks for a one-time code, password or bank details;
• claims to be from a bank or government office and asks you to stay on the line.

If in doubt, hang up and call the organisation back on the number printed on its official website or your card.

How to get a 617 phone number

You don't need to live in Boston, MA to have a 617 number. A virtual number works from anywhere with internet, through a mobile app, a desktop app or a desk phone. For a business, a local number can make you look present in the area. Free apps rarely let you choose an exact code, so a paid cloud phone plan is usually the way to get one that stays yours.