The 784 area code is the designated telephone area code for the entire island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. Because Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a participant in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), calls from the United States, Canada, and other NANP countries are dialed using the 1 + 784 + 7-digit local number format.
The code 784 was chosen because the digits correspond to the letters SVG on a standard telephone keypad—a common abbreviation for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
This guide clarifies the geographical details of the 784 area code, explains the dialing format, and provides important warnings about the high risk of phone scams associated with this and other Caribbean codes.
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Location and Time Zone of the 784 Area Code
The 784 area code covers the archipelago nation situated in the Lesser Antilles island arc of the Caribbean Sea.
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean |
| Major Cities Covered | Kingstown (Capital), Calliaqua, Georgetown, Barrouallie, Port Elizabeth |
| Time Zone | Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which is UTC-4. |
| Dialing Format | +1 784 XXX XXXX |
Time Zone Clarification
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines observes Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round and does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
- During U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST) (Winter): Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (AST) is 1 hour ahead of EST.
- During U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (Summer): Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (AST) is the same time as EDT.
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How to Dial a Phone Number in the 784 Area Code
Since the 784 area code is included in the North American Numbering Plan, calling it from the U.S. or Canada is performed in the same way as dialing any domestic long-distance number.
Dialing Format (From U.S., Canada, and NANP Countries)
To call a number in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, you dial 1 followed by the 10-digit number:
Dialing Format (Local Calls)
If you are already within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, you only need to dial the local seven-digit phone number, omitting the 784 area code.
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Scam Alert: Unsolicited Calls from 784
The 784 area code is frequently listed by consumer watch groups, the FCC, and the FTC as being utilized in the “One-Ring” international phone scam.
The “One-Ring” Scam Mechanism
This scam, also known as “wangiri,” is designed to generate expensive charges for the victim by exploiting the high long-distance rates of international calls.
- How It Works: Scammers use robocalling software to dial thousands of numbers and hang up after only one or two rings. The goal is to make the recipient believe they missed an important call.
- The Deception: Because 784 starts with the U.S. country code prefix +1, it looks like a call from an unfamiliar part of the United States, encouraging an unsuspecting callback.
- The Consequence: If you call the number back, you are unknowingly connecting to a premium-rate international number. Your phone carrier will charge high per-minute fees (which can be several dollars per minute), and the scammer receives a kickback.
Essential Protection and Reporting Steps
- Do Not Call Back: The most important step. Never return a missed call from an unfamiliar international number, especially from a Caribbean area code, unless they have left a clear, verifiable voicemail from a person or entity you recognize.
- Do Not Answer: Letting unknown calls go to voicemail is the best defense. Answering the phone confirms your line is active for future scam attempts.
- Activate Spam Blocking: Utilize your phone carrier’s mobile security apps (like T-Mobile Scam Shield or AT&T Call Protect) to automatically screen and block known scam numbers.
- Report Fraud: If you have been targeted, report the number to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help regulators track and block these fraudulent calling operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get charged international rates for a 784 call if I dial “1” first?
While the dialing process is the same as a domestic long-distance call within the U.S. and Canada, the 784 code is technically an international area code. Therefore, unless your mobile or landline plan includes calls to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, your carrier will treat it as an international call and apply applicable long-distance charges.
What is the capital city covered by area code 784?
The capital city of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the largest settlement covered by the 784 area code, is Kingstown.
When did the 784 area code begin service?
The 784 area code was officially introduced in 1998 as part of the phase-out of the original shared 809 area code that once covered the majority of the Caribbean islands under the NANP.
