The search query “area code 284” strongly indicates a user trying to identify the origin of a phone number, which is necessary due to the code’s association with phone scams.
The 284 area code is the telephone area code for the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a British Overseas Territory in the Eastern Caribbean. It is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), meaning it shares the same country code prefix (+1) as the United States and Canada, and is dialed as a standard 10-digit call.
The 284 area code is notorious for being used in “one-ring” scam calls. It is crucial to understand the rules for this code to avoid incurring high international charges.
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Location and Origin of Area Code 284
The 284 code serves a single, well-known island nation and was intentionally chosen for easy recall.
Primary Location and Time Zone
- Location: British Virgin Islands (BVI), Caribbean.
- Major City: Road Town (the capital, on the island of Tortola).
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which is UTC-4. The BVI does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Mnemonic and History
- Mnemonic: The code 2-8-4 was chosen because these digits correspond to the letters B-V-I on a standard telephone keypad, making it an easy acronym for the British Virgin Islands.
- Origin: The code was created in 1997 when the BVI split from the original Caribbean area code, 809, which previously covered the entire region.
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How to Dial a BVI Number
Calling the British Virgin Islands from the United States or Canada is similar to making a domestic long-distance call within the NANP.
Dialing Format (from US/Canada)
| Step | Digits | Notes | Example (Calling Road Town) |
| 1. NANP Access | 1 | The trunk access code for the NANP. | 1 |
| 2. Area Code | 284 | The area code for the BVI. | 1 284 |
| 3. Local Number | 7 digits | The recipient’s local phone number. | 1 284 XXX XXXX |
Important: Local calls placed within the BVI only require the 7-digit local number.
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Scam Warning: The “One-Ring” Callback Trap
The 284 area code is frequently used in international phone scams designed to trick victims into calling back.
- The Fraud: Scammers call from a number beginning with 284 and hang up after just one ring (the Wangiri scam). Because the number looks like a domestic call, many victims call back out of curiosity or concern.
- The High Cost: If you return the call, you are connected to an international premium-rate line. Your carrier will charge you high international long-distance rates (often $5 to $20 per minute or more), and the scammer receives a portion of this fee.
Actionable Safety Advice
- Do Not Return the Call: If you miss a call from a 284 number you do not recognize, do not call it back. If the call is legitimate, the caller will leave a message or contact you through another verifiable method.
- Verify International Codes: Always be aware that the 284 code is international. If you do not typically make or receive international calls, you can contact your carrier to place a block on all outgoing international calls to prevent accidental callbacks to these premium-rate numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is 284 a US area code?
No. Although it is part of the +1 country code (the same as the US and Canada), 284 is an area code specifically assigned to the British Virgin Islands.
Will I be charged if I answer a call from 284?
You are generally not charged by your mobile carrier for receiving an incoming international call while you are in your home service area. The financial risk lies solely in calling the number back.
What other area codes in the Caribbean are known for this scam?
Similar “one-ring” scams frequently originate from other Caribbean codes that are also part of the NANP (+1): 809 (Dominican Republic), 876 (Jamaica), 268 (Antigua), and 473 (Grenada).
