Let’s solve the mystery immediately: No, the 485 area code is not an active or assigned area code for any geographic region in the United States or the broader North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which includes Canada and parts of the Caribbean.
If you search for a city, state, or region associated with the 485 area code, you won’t find one. It is officially designated as an unassigned number.
Understanding Unassigned Area Codes
The authority that manages phone numbers in North America has a vast pool of three-digit codes, but not all of them are in use. Some are reserved for future assignment as existing area codes run out of available numbers, while others like the 485 area code simply remain unassigned. This means no legitimate phone call or text message from within the US will ever originate from this area code.
Why Did I Get a Call from a 485 Area Code?
If the 485 area code isn’t real, how could it possibly appear on your phone? The answer is almost always due to a deceptive tactic known as caller ID spoofing.
The Role of Caller ID Spoofing
Spoofing allows scammers to deliberately change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. They can make it look like a call is coming from anywhere—a local number, a government agency, or even a fake, non-existent number like the 485 area code.
Scammers use invalid area codes for a few key reasons:
- To Arouse Curiosity: An unusual number might make you more likely to answer the phone.
- To Evade Call-Blocking: By using a constantly changing rotation of fake numbers, they can bypass apps and services designed to block known spam callers.
- To Hide Their Tracks: Calling from an unassigned area code makes it much more difficult to trace the call back to its true origin.
Because the 485 area code is not in service, any call you receive from it is guaranteed to be from an illegitimate source and should be treated as a potential scam.
How to Handle a Call from an Unassigned Area Code
Whether you see the 485 area code or another number you don’t recognize, following a few simple security protocols can keep you safe from potential fraud.
- Don’t Answer the Call
If you don’t know the number, let it go to voicemail. A legitimate caller will leave a message explaining who they are and why they called. A robocaller or scammer will almost always just hang up.
- Do Not Call Back or Respond
Never call back or text back a number you don’t recognize, especially an invalid one. Responding confirms that your phone number is active, which can lead to your number being sold to other spammers, resulting in even more unwanted calls and texts.
- Do Not Share Any Personal Information
If you happen to answer by mistake, and the caller asks for any personal information—like your Social Security number, bank account details, passwords, or even your name—hang up immediately.
- Block and Report the Number
Use your smartphone’s built-in feature to block the number. This prevents them from contacting you again from that specific number. You can also help combat these operations by reporting the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via the Do Not Call Registry and to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
In summary, the search for a city or state corresponding to the 485 area code ends here—it doesn’t exist. You can think of this number as an instant red flag. By recognizing it as an unassigned and spoofed number, you can take the right steps to protect yourself and your personal information from those who use it.
