If you have a missed call or text from the 939 area code, you are looking at a number originating from the Caribbean.
The 939 area code is located in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is part of an overlay complex that covers the entire island, including all major cities such as San Juan, Ponce, and Mayagüez, in conjunction with the older 787 area code.
This article will provide you with the exact location of the 939 area code, its historical context, and essential consumer advice on dealing with calls from this region, which is sometimes associated with phone scams.
Area Code 939 Location and Coverage
The 939 area code was introduced in 2001 as an overlay for the original 787 area code to accommodate the rapidly growing demand for landlines and, particularly, mobile phone numbers in the territory.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Puerto Rico |
| Status | Overlay (Covers the entire territory) |
| Time Zone | Atlantic Standard Time (AST) – UTC/GMT -4 |
| Major Cities Covered | San Juan, Ponce, Bayamón, Caguas, Carolina, Guaynabo, and all other municipalities. |
| Dialing Rule | 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all calls within Puerto Rico (787 or 939 + 7-digit number). |
Since 939 is an overlay area code, any given city in Puerto Rico, such as the capital San Juan, will have phone numbers starting with either 787 or 939. Unlike geographical splits, the new 939 code did not divide the island; it simply provided a new pool of available numbers across the entire service area.
Puerto Rico’s Place in the NANP
Area codes 787 and 939 are part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which includes the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean nations. This means that calling a 939 number from the US mainland or Canada is generally treated as a long-distance domestic call, not an international one (the country code is +1).
Consumer Tech Alert: Is a 939 Call a Scam?
While the vast majority of calls from the 939 area code are legitimate, this code (along with its sibling, 787) has unfortunately been used by scammers targeting consumers on the US mainland.
The “One-Ring” or Premium-Rate Scam
The 939 area code has been historically used in a type of scheme similar to the older 809 scam, which originated in the nearby Dominican Republic.
- The Scam: Scammers use robocallers to dial US numbers, allowing the phone to ring only once before hanging up.
- The Goal: The scammer hopes that the recipient, seeing a missed call from an unfamiliar or official-looking area code, will call back out of curiosity.
- The Trap: If you call back, the number may be a premium-rate number that charges your line exorbitant international calling fees. The call is designed to keep you on the line as long as possible with long recordings or music while the charges accrue.
Actionable Steps for Dealing with Unknown 939 Numbers
To protect yourself from potential scams or unwanted calls from the 939 area code, follow these direct steps:
- Do Not Call Back Unknown Numbers
This is the single most important action. If you do not recognize the 939 number, do not return the call. Legitimate callers will leave a voicemail or send a text message. Returning the call confirms your number is active and callable, potentially leading to more spam.
- Block the Number
If the same 939 number calls you repeatedly, use your smartphone’s built-in features to block the number immediately.
- iPhone: Go to the “Recents” tab in the Phone app, tap the information icon (i) next to the number, and select “Block this Caller.”
- Android: Go to the “Recents” tab in the Phone app, tap the number, tap the three-dot menu, and select “Block number.”
- Check Your Phone Plan’s Rates
Because Puerto Rico is part of the NANP (+1 country code), many US mobile plans include calls to 939 at no extra cost. However, confirm with your carrier that calls to Puerto Rico are not charged as long-distance or international calls to ensure you don’t receive an unexpectedly high bill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between area code 787 and 939?
Both 787 and 939 cover the entire territory of Puerto Rico. The 787 area code was the original code assigned in 1996. The 939 area code was added as an overlay in 2001 to prevent the depletion of available phone numbers. There is no geographical difference between them.
Do I need to dial “1” before a 939 number?
Yes. When calling a 939 number from the US or Canada, you must dial 1 + 939 + the 7-digit local number. Similarly, all calls placed within Puerto Rico (even local calls) require 10-digit dialing (787 or 939 + 7-digit number).
Are calls to 939 more expensive than other US area codes?
For most modern mobile and long-distance plans in the US and Canada, calls to Puerto Rico (787/939) are generally billed at the same rate as calls to any other US state. However, it is crucial to check your specific carrier plan to verify this, especially if you have an older plan or a landline.
