708 Area Code: Location, Time Zone, History, Scams, & Uses

Quick Facts About the 708 Area Code

The Illinois Commerce Commission identifies the 708 region as covering most of western and southern Cook County and portions of eastern and southern Will County within the Illinois area codes directory.

What Is the 708 Area Code?

The 708 area code is a telephone numbering code serving many suburbs surrounding Chicago, Illinois. It belongs to the North American Numbering Plan, which organizes telephone numbers across the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean countries.

A number beginning with 708 may be assigned to:

• A residential landline
• A mobile phone
• A local business
• A VoIP telephone service
• A virtual business phone system
• An alarm, paging, or communications service

The area code identifies the general region connected with the number, but it does not prove that the caller is physically located there. Mobile numbers can move with their owners, businesses can use virtual numbers, and scammers can falsify caller ID information.

Where Is Area Code 708 Located?

Area code 708 is located in northeastern Illinois, primarily covering the western and southern suburbs of Chicago.

The Illinois Commerce Commission lists communities in the 708 region such as:

• Alsip
• Beecher
• Bellwood
• Berwyn
• Blue Island
• Bridgeview
• Burbank
• Calumet City
• Chicago Heights
• Cicero
• Country Club Hills
• Dolton
• Elmwood Park
• Evergreen Park
• Forest Park
• Harvey
• Homewood
• La Grange
• Lansing
• Maywood
• Melrose Park
• Mokena
• Oak Forest
• Oak Lawn
• Oak Park
• Orland Park
• Park Forest
• River Forest
• South Holland
• Tinley Park
• Westchester
• Western Springs
• Worth

The coverage area includes most of western and southern Cook County and parts of eastern and southern Will County.

Because telephone boundaries do not always follow municipal or county borders perfectly, some nearby communities may use other Chicago-area codes such as 312, 331, 630, 773, 815, 847, or 872.

What Time Zone Is the 708 Area Code In?

The 708 area code follows the Central Time Zone.

During standard time, the region observes:

• Central Standard Time — CST, UTC−6

During daylight saving time, it observes:

• Central Daylight Time — CDT, UTC−5

This means the 708 region is normally:

• One hour behind Eastern Time
• One hour ahead of Mountain Time
• Two hours ahead of Pacific Time

Businesses calling customers in the 708 region should schedule calls according to Central Time, especially when operating from another state or country.

Is 708 a Chicago Area Code?

The 708 area code is a Chicago-area code, but it generally does not cover the city of Chicago itself.

It primarily serves Chicago’s western and southern suburbs. The city uses area codes such as 312, 773, and 872, while suburban areas around the city use several other codes.

A 708 number may therefore be described as a Chicago suburban number. It is particularly relevant to businesses serving areas such as Cicero, Oak Park, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and Tinley Park.

History of the 708 Area Code

The history of area code 708 reflects the rapid growth of telephone usage throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

• 1947: Area code 312 was introduced as one of Illinois’ original area codes. It initially covered Chicago and much of the surrounding metropolitan region.
• November 11, 1989: Area code 708 was created through a split from 312. Chicago retained 312, while many surrounding suburbs moved to the newly created 708 code. NANPA’s historical records document the 312 numbering plan split that created the new suburban code.
• 1996: The original 708 territory was divided again. Northern and northwestern suburbs moved to area code 847, while many western suburbs moved to area code 630. The remaining 708 region became concentrated in the western and southern suburban areas.
• June 1999: The Illinois Commerce Commission approved an overlay code for the 708 region. However, number-conservation measures, including number pooling and closer review of numbering requests, delayed the need to activate it for more than two decades.
• October 24, 2021: Mandatory expanded dialing took effect for local calls in the 708 region. The transition was partly required because 988 had been designated as a three-digit access code for the national crisis hotline.
• January 2022: Area code 464 became available as an overlay for the existing 708 territory, providing additional telephone-number capacity without changing existing 708 numbers.

Today, both 708 and 464 numbers can be used within the same geographic region.

What Are the Overlay Codes for 708?

The overlay code for 708 is 464.

An overlay means two area codes serve the same geographic territory. A person in Oak Lawn, Cicero, or another covered community could therefore receive either a 708 or 464 number.

The overlay did not require existing customers to change their telephone numbers. People who already had 708 numbers were allowed to keep them, while 464 created an additional supply of numbers for new customers and services.

A 464 number does not represent a separate city or county. It covers the same general territory as 708.

Do You Need 10-Digit Dialing for 708?

Yes. Expanded dialing is required for calls in the 708 area code region.

Callers must enter the area code and seven-digit telephone number. Depending on the telephone provider and type of service, users may need to dial:

• 708 + seven-digit number
• or: 1 + 708 + seven-digit number

Seven-digit local calls stopped being completed after October 24, 2021. Customers also had to update equipment that stored seven-digit numbers, including alarms, fax machines, call-forwarding systems, contact lists, and other automatic dialing devices.

Using additional digits does not automatically turn a local call into a long-distance call. The price and classification of the call depend on the customer’s telephone plan.

Is the 708 Area Code Legit or a Scam?

The 708 area code is completely legitimate. It is an officially assigned Illinois telephone code serving Chicago’s western and southern suburbs.

However, seeing 708 on caller ID does not guarantee that the caller is trustworthy. Scammers can use caller ID spoofing to make their calls appear to come from a familiar local number.

The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers can make almost any name or telephone number appear on caller ID. A call that looks local could actually originate from another state or country.

Judge the call by what the caller says and requests, not simply by the area code displayed on your screen.

Common 708 Scam Warning Signs

Be cautious when an unexpected 708 caller:

• Pressures you to act immediately
• Threatens arrest, account closure, service disconnection, or legal action
• Requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps
• Asks for your Social Security number, PIN, password, or verification code
• Claims you have won a prize but must first pay a fee
• Asks for remote access to your computer or mobile device
• Tells you not to speak with your bank, relatives, or the police
• Refuses to provide written information
• Calls repeatedly from slightly different local numbers
• Sends an unexpected text containing a suspicious link

Requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or similar difficult-to-reverse methods are especially serious warning signs.

Common Scams Linked With Spoofed 708 Numbers

These scams are not unique to area code 708. Criminals may spoof 708 because a local Chicago-suburban number can make residents more likely to answer.

Government Impersonation Calls

The caller may pretend to represent the IRS, Social Security Administration, a courthouse, or local law enforcement. They may claim that you owe money, missed jury duty, or face arrest.

Government agencies do not normally demand immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Caller ID can also be falsified to display a genuine agency name or number.

Bank and Account Security Scams

A caller may claim that suspicious activity has been detected on your bank account. They may ask for a one-time verification code, card number, PIN, or login password.

Hang up and contact your bank through the number printed on your card or published in its official app.

Utility Disconnection Scams

The caller may impersonate an electricity, gas, water, or telephone provider and threaten immediate service disconnection unless payment is made.

Contact the utility directly through a verified billing statement or its official website before sending money.

Tech-Support Scams

A scammer may claim that your computer has a virus or security problem. The goal is often to obtain remote access, sell fake services, install malware, or steal financial information. The FTC advises people to hang up on unexpected callers claiming there is a problem with their computer.

Prize and Sweepstakes Scams

The caller may say you won cash, a vehicle, or another prize but must pay taxes, shipping charges, or processing fees before receiving it.

Legitimate prizes do not require winners to pay in order to collect them.

Package and Delivery Text Scams

A message may claim that a package could not be delivered and provide a link for updating your address or paying a small fee. The link may lead to a fake website designed to steal card or login information.

Neighbor-Spoofing Robocalls

Scammers sometimes use a number with the same area code—and occasionally the same first six digits—as the recipient’s number. This practice is known as neighbor spoofing and is intended to make the call appear local and familiar.

What Are the Benefits of a 708 Area Code Number?

A 708 number can offer several benefits to businesses and professionals serving suburban Chicago.

Strong Local Recognition

Residents commonly associate 708 with Chicago’s western and southern suburbs. A recognizable local number can make a company appear more accessible to customers in the region.

Increased Customer Trust

Some customers feel more comfortable answering calls from a familiar area code than from an unfamiliar or toll-free number.

Better Support for Local Campaigns

Businesses can display a 708 number on:

• Local landing pages
• Business cards
• Service vehicles
• Direct-mail campaigns
• Local advertisements
• Social media profiles
• Google Business Profiles

Call Tracking and Routing

Virtual 708 numbers can often be forwarded to a mobile phone, call center, sales team, or remote employee. Businesses may also use separate numbers to measure calls generated by individual advertising campaigns.

Local Presence Without a Traditional Landline

VoIP services allow businesses to operate a 708 number through an internet-based system. However, the number should not be used to misrepresent the company’s real address, service area, or eligibility for local listings.

How Can a 708 Area Code Number Benefit Your Business’s Local SEO?

A 708 number does not automatically improve search rankings. However, it can support a consistent and trustworthy local business presence when used correctly.

Google recommends using a phone number that connects directly to the individual business location and advises businesses to use a local number instead of a central call-center number whenever possible.

A 708 number may support your local marketing by helping you:

• Keep your business contact information consistent
• Provide customers with a recognizable local contact number
• Connect each genuine location to its own telephone number
• Improve customer confidence and call response rates
• Maintain accurate information across your website and business listings

Use the same primary number across important platforms, including:

• Google Business Profile
• Your website
• Bing Places
• Apple Business Connect
• Yelp
• Facebook
• Relevant local directories

The number must be controlled by your business and should connect customers directly to the company. Avoid using a local number to create fake locations or misleading business profiles.

Google also states that the phone number and website used for a Business Profile should be authoritative, verifiable, and associated with the actual business.

Can You Get a New 708 Number Today?

It may still be possible to obtain a new 708 number, but availability is not guaranteed.

Telephone numbers are distributed through carriers and service providers. Because 708 has been in use since 1989, desirable or unused number combinations may be limited. New customers may instead be offered a 464 number, which serves the same geographic region.

When the 464 overlay was announced, the Illinois Commerce Commission explained that consumers requesting additional lines could still receive 708 numbers in many cases, depending on available inventory.

Availability can vary according to:

• Your provider
• The requested community or rate center
• Whether you need mobile, landline, or VoIP service
• Whether you want a standard, vanity, or memorable number
• Current number inventories

Check with multiple providers if having the exact 708 area code is important to your business.

How Can You Get a New 708 Area Code Number?

You can try to obtain a 708 number through the following process:

1. Choose a Telephone Provider

Contact a mobile carrier, traditional telephone company, VoIP provider, or virtual business-phone service.

2. Search for 708 Availability

Enter the city, ZIP code, or preferred area code when searching the provider’s available-number inventory.

3. Select a Number

Choose from the available standard, memorable, or vanity numbers.

4. Review the Service Features

Compare call forwarding, texting, voicemail, extensions, recording, analytics, and international calling options.

5. Verify Your Identity or Business

Providers may request identification, payment details, or business information before activating the number.

6. Configure Call Routing

Direct calls to your mobile phone, office, sales department, customer-support team, or automated menu.

7. Update Your Business Information

Add the number to your website, advertising, directories, and Google Business Profile only when it accurately represents your company. You can also order a local number through Front Mate when you are ready to activate a business line.

8. Keep the Number Active

Pay the service charges on time and ask about number-porting options before switching providers.

When no 708 numbers are available, consider accepting a 464 number. It provides the same geographic association and serves the same communities.

Final Thoughts

The 708 area code serves many of the western and southern suburbs surrounding Chicago, primarily across Cook and Will counties. It operates in the Central Time Zone and shares its territory with the 464 overlay.

Area code 708 is legitimate, but scammers can spoof local numbers to make calls appear trustworthy. Never rely on caller ID alone. Avoid sharing sensitive information, verify unexpected requests independently, and contact organizations through numbers you know are genuine.

For businesses genuinely serving suburban Chicago, a 708 number can strengthen local familiarity, improve customer accessibility, and support consistent business listings. However, it should be treated as one part of a wider local marketing strategy—not as a guaranteed local search ranking factor.

For related Midwest coverage, see our 618 area code, 636 area code, and 715 area code guides, plus the full Illinois area codes directory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is 708 a Chicago or suburban area code?

The 708 area code mainly serves Chicago’s western and southern suburbs rather than downtown Chicago. Residents commonly associate 708 numbers with suburban Chicagoland.

Why am I receiving calls from random 708 numbers?

The call may come from a legitimate local person or business, but scammers also use local-number spoofing to increase the chance that you will answer. The displayed number may not be the caller’s real number.

Should I call an unknown 708 number back?

Only return the call when you recognize the caller, expect the call, or receive a credible voicemail. Search for the organization’s official contact information instead of trusting the number shown on your caller ID.

Does a 708 number mean the caller is in Illinois?

Not necessarily. Mobile users can keep their numbers after moving, businesses can use virtual numbers, and scammers can make a call appear to originate from almost any area code.

Is every 708 call a scam?

No. The 708 area code is legitimate and is used by residents, businesses, mobile carriers, and VoIP services in suburban Chicago. Suspicious behavior—not the area code itself—is what indicates a possible scam.

What should I do if a 708 number keeps calling me?

Do not engage with suspicious callers. Block or label the number through your phone or carrier, save any threatening messages, and report repeated scam or robocalls to the FTC or FCC.

Why does the caller have the same first six digits as my number?

This is commonly called neighbor spoofing. Scammers copy your area code and local prefix because a familiar-looking number may make you more likely to answer.

Can scammers send text messages from 708 numbers?

Yes. A scammer may use a spoofed or temporary local number to send fake delivery notices, job offers, bank alerts, unpaid-toll messages, or links designed to steal personal information.

What information should I never give a 708 caller?

Never provide an unexpected caller with your Social Security number, bank details, card PIN, password, security code, or account verification code. Legitimate organizations will not pressure you to reveal sensitive information immediately.

What if a 708 caller claims to be from the government?

Hang up and contact the agency through its official published number. Government agencies do not unexpectedly demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps.

Can I block all calls from the 708 area code?

Some phones and call-filtering apps may allow area-code blocking, but this could also block legitimate calls from local businesses, medical offices, schools, or residents. Blocking individual numbers or using spam-detection tools is usually safer.

What is the difference between 708 and 464?

The 464 code is an overlay of 708, meaning both codes serve the same geographic region. A 464 number is not automatically more suspicious or less local than a 708 number.

Can I still get a new 708 phone number?

Possibly, but availability depends on the telephone or VoIP provider’s current inventory. When no 708 numbers are available, the provider may offer a 464 number covering the same region.

How can I find out who owns a 708 number?

You can search the full number online, check whether a voicemail identifies the caller, or use your carrier’s caller-identification service. Reverse-lookup results are not always accurate because numbers can be reassigned or spoofed.

Where can I report a suspicious 708 call?

Report calls involving fraud or financial loss to the FTC. Unwanted calls, texts, and suspected caller-ID spoofing can also be reported through the FCC’s complaint system. Include the displayed number, callback number, date, and time whenever possible.