The keyword inquiry “222 area code usa” indicates a user is looking for a specific geographic location within the United States corresponding to the three-digit code 222.
The direct answer is that Area Code 222 is not an active or assigned geographic area code in the United States or Canada under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). However, the number sequence 222 is the internationally assigned country calling code for Mauritania in West Africa.
If you have encountered a number with the (222) prefix, this article will explain its unassigned status in the US, clarify its use internationally, and provide essential tips for handling suspicious calls.
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The Status of Area Code 222 in the US
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) manages the telephone numbering system for the US, Canada, and several Caribbean nations. According to their records:
222 is Currently Unassigned
The sequence 222 is one of several three-digit codes that has been reserved for future geographic assignment but is not currently in use for any local or long-distance calling in the United States.
- NANP Rules: Area codes in the NANP are typically structured with a central digit of 0 or 1 in older codes (like 212) or any digit from 0-9 in newer codes (like 224, 225, 228). The sequence 222 is formally listed as available for non-geographic assignment but is not active.
- Nearby Active Codes: Active US area codes surrounding this sequence include 220 (an overlay for 740 in Ohio), 224 (an overlay for 847 in Illinois), 225 (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), and 228 (Gulfport, Mississippi).
Why You See (222) XXX-XXXX
If a call displays the (222) prefix on your caller ID, it is overwhelmingly likely due to:
- Caller ID Spoofing: Scammers frequently employ “neighbor spoofing” techniques by using unassigned or non-existent area codes to disguise their true location and increase the chance that you will answer.
- Unassigned Number Use: Because the number is unassigned, it is less likely to be legitimately blocked by carriers’ anti-spam filters, making it an attractive sequence for automated robocallers.
- The International Country Code for Mauritania
Outside of the US, the number sequence 222 is a valid international code used for routing telephone traffic globally.
+222 is Mauritania’s Country Code
The international country calling code +222 is assigned to the nation of Mauritania in West Africa.
- Dialing Format: To call a number in Mauritania from the US or Canada, you must dial: 011 + 222 + Local Number.
- Time Zone: Mauritania operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC +0), which means it is often 4 to 8 hours ahead of US time zones (depending on daylight saving time).
If you receive a suspicious “one-ring” call from a number that starts with , it is likely a form of the “Wangiri” scam, designed to entice you to call back the number and incur high international per-minute charges.
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Dealing with Unknown Calls from the “222” Code
Since a domestic 222 area code does not exist, here are the actionable steps to protect yourself from potentially fraudulent calls.
Actionable Steps
- Do Not Answer: If you do not recognize the number and are not expecting an international call, do not answer a call displaying (222) on your phone.
- Do Not Call Back: Never return a call to an unknown international number that rang only once. Scammers profit from premium international calling fees when you redial the number.
- Use Call Blocking: If you are bombarded with calls from this sequence, enable your phone’s built-in Silence Unknown Callers feature (iOS) or use third-party spam-blocking apps to filter or block the number.
- Report the Number: Report the spoofed call to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the US, or the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Area Code 222 be implemented in the USA soon?
While 222 is reserved for potential future use, there is currently no public plan or announced date for its implementation as a new geographic area code in the US. New area codes are only implemented when existing ones face exhaust (running out of available numbers).
What is the closest active US area code to 222?
The closest active area code in numerical sequence is 220, which is an overlay for the 740 area code in Ohio. However, this proximity is only numerical and does not imply any geographical relationship.
Is the number sequence 222 used anywhere else in the US?
The number sequence “222” can be the NXX (Central Office) prefix within a valid 10-digit US number. For instance, a number in New York City’s 718 area code might be (718) 222-XXXX, but the area code remains 718, not 222.
Conclusion
The search for the “222 area code usa” reveals that this code is unassigned domestically, meaning any inbound call using this prefix is highly suspicious and likely involves caller ID spoofing. Internationally, +222 is the valid country code for Mauritania. For your protection, always avoid answering or returning calls from unknown numbers, especially those utilizing unassigned or international codes that you do not recognize.
