If you get a call from the 516 area code (also known as the 838 area code), what should you do? And more importantly, who’s calling you? With toll-free numbers and scam artists out there, it can be hard to tell exactly what the number that’s calling you is all about. This article will help explain what the 516 area code means and whether or not it’s safe to answer.
516 Area Code
Area code 516 is a telephone area code number created by AT&T and North American Numbering Plan in 1951. The 516 area code is operational in New York, U.S. In addition, The counties Nassau, Suffolk, and Rensselaer also use a 516 area code.
Area code 516 uses the Eastern time zone, also known as the America/New_York. The major city in Hempstead, NY, is where area code 516 is operational. First, we will discuss the history of the 516 area code so keep reading.
History Of 516 Area Code
When AT&T created and formed the North American Numbering Plan in October 1947, Area code 516 covered major counties like Nassau and Suffolk and adjacent areas with area code 914. During this time, New York state’s major metropolitan area needs a proper separate area code to cover its telephonic communication.
Later in 1951, area code 516 was created by AT&T to cover the New York state of America. The 516 area code covers three counties of New York state. But due to overpopulation, another area code 631 was created on November 1, 1999, for Suffolk county.
In October 2021, area code 516 was used to assign central office code 988. Unfortunately, the 988 area code uses the 516 area code for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which creates problems for exchange to dial seven-digit dialing.
The area code 516 was shifted from seven-digit dialing to ten-digit dialing on October 24, 2021, to clear the confusion.
Area Codes Near 516 Area Code
We will share the nearby area codes that operate near area code 516. The area codes that operate in the states are:
- Area Codes 203/475 (Bridgeport, CT)
- Area Codes 347/929/718 (New York, NY)
- Area Codes 631/934 (Brentwood, NY)
- Area Code 917 (New York, NY)
How Does 516 Area Code Work?
Hempstead, NY, uses area code 516. Many individuals and businesses use and buy unique area code 516 numbers for communication. In addition, many telephone carriers are giving area code 516 numbers to the citizens of New York.
The seven-digit dialing is no longer operational for area code 516. From October 24, 2021, area code 516 is used with ten-digit dialing.
516 Area Code Used In Counties
The 516 area code is operational in the whole state of New York. We will share the names of counties where the 516 area code is operational. The names of counties are:
- Nassau, NY
- Queens, NY
- Suffolk, NY
Do you know that the population of Nassau, NY is about 1,339,532 and almost 99% uses area code 516?
516 Area Code Used In Cities
In this section, we will share the names of cities where area code 516 is operational. The name of cities where area code 516 is operational are:
- Levittown, NY
- Hempstead, NY
- Hicksville, NY
- Freeport, NY
- Valley Stream, NY
- East Meadow, NY
- Elmont, NY
- Long Beach, NY
- Oceanside, NY
- Glen Cove, NY
- Franklin Square, NY
- Uniondale, NY
- Plainview, NY
- Baldwin, NY
- Uniondale, NY
- Garden City, Y
- Rockville Centre, NY
- Merrick, NY
- North Bellmore, NY
- Massapequa, NY
- Lynbrook, NY
- Wantagh, NY
- East Massapequa, NY
- Wantagh, NY
- Syosset, NY
- Mineola, NY
- West Hempstead, NY
- Massapequa Park, NY
- North Massapequa, NY
- Woodmere, NY
- Bethpage, NY
- Bethpage, NY
- Woodmere, NY
- Roosevelt, NY
- North Valley Stream, NY
- Port Washington, NY
- Westbury, NY
- Seaford, NY
- North New Hyde Park, NY
- Floral Park, NY
- New Cassel, NY
- South Farmingdale, NY
- Jericho, NY
- New Cassel, NY
- Salisbury, NY
- North Merrick, NY
- Great Neck, NY
- North Wantagh, NY
- New Hyde Park, NY
- Malverne, NY
- Plainedge, NY
- Woodbury, NY
Prefixes Used By 516 Area Code
Prefixes are a unique identification of your area code numbers. For example, area code 516 numbers use different telecommunication carriers, which we will discuss in the upcoming section. There are two telephone carriers: Landline and wireless carriers.
Do you know that only 82% percent of the carrier of the 516 area code is in use? For example, landline carrier uses 61%, and wireless carrier uses 39% prefixes of area code 516.
Telephone Carriers That 516 Area Code Uses
There are two types of carriers through which you can use area code 516. The first is a telephone, and the other is wireless carriers. We are going to share the details of each carrier below:
Landline Carriers That Uses 516 Area Code:
Landline carriers that provide 516 area code numbers are:
- Verizon uses 33% prefixes
- Cablevision Lightpath uses 6% prefixes
- Micimetro Access Transmission Services uses 3% of prefixes
- Broadview Networks uses only 2 percent of prefixes
- Sprint contains 2% prefixes of the 516 area code
- Xo uses 2% prefixes
- Broadwing also uses 2% prefixes
- Other local landline carriers use 13% prefixes
Wireless Carriers That Uses 516 Area Code:
Wireless carriers that use area code 516 are:
- Cingular wireless carrier uses 11% prefixes of area code 516
- Verizon Wireless uses 9% prefixes
- Sprint uses 6% prefixes
- USA Mobility Wireless uses 6% of prefixes
- Omnipoint uses 4% prefixes
- At Paging Corporation li uses 1 percent prefixes
- Aquis uses 1% prefixes
- Other local wireless companies use 1 percent of prefixes.
Is 516 Area Code A Toll-Free Number?
If you hear a 516 area code, but it’s not toll-free, don’t get too concerned—most likely, it’s a telemarketer or mass message service. 516 area code is not a toll-free number, and if you get a call from an unknown 516 area code, don’t call back on the number because it will cost you.
If you call on the 516 area code numbers, your network service provider will charge you.
Scamming Through 516 Area Code
The 516 area code is for Nassau County in New York. People use cellphone phone calls and other wireless phone services such as Short Message Service (SMS) text messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or mobile app usage. Unfortunately, like most areas, some scammers will try to sell you something or trick you into paying a fee through a hidden SMS charge or premium short message service charge on your cellphone bill.
Scammers can call you through 516 area code numbers. If you feel and experience any unusual behavior of a caller, don’t say anything. For example, don’t do it if the caller asks for your details like your credit card number or forces you to open a link online.
If you doubt a caller, you can search their company online. But note that never reveal your personal details to an unknown person on the phone. Instead, you can do a phone reverse lookup through the telephone directory to identify the details of unknown callers.
How To Block Calls Coming From 516 Area Code?
You can block unwanted callers through your cellphone and landline phone. To block the caller from your landline telephone, ask your network service provider, and they will block the number. We will share methods for Android and iPhone users if you are using a smartphone. The details are in sub-sections.
iPhone:
Follow the steps to block a caller on iPhone:
- Open your recent call logs and tap on the unwanted caller’s number
- Tap on the “i” option and look for the “block this caller” option.
- Tap on the option, and iPhone will block the caller.
Android:
- Check your recent call logs and select the anonymous number.
- Tap on the details option and check the “block number” option.
- Android phone will block the caller.
Conclusion – 516 Area Code
The 516 area code is working n New York (NY). It is a Toll-Free call at all times. The 516 area code was originally assigned to Nassau County but has since expanded to cover all of Suffolk County. Area code 516 is now used with a ten-digit dialing number.
Always keep yourself safe from scammers because they use the 516 area code number to scam people. Always do phone reverse lookup or search them online to check their origin. Then, you can block the unwanted callers for keep calling you.
We believe that you will be safe after reading this informative blog. If you have any questions, you can ask us in the comment section. Go check out our other articles, “When Was Running Invented,” “What Does Swordfish Taste Like,” and “515 Area Code.”