Customers within the existing 609 and 856 area codes should begin preparing for the new 640 area code and 10-digit dialing. The new 640 area code will overlay and serve the same geographic region as the existing 609 area code.
Beginning on Jan. 20, customers with the 609 area code should start dialing 10 digits (area code + seven digits) for local calls to 609 or 856 telephone numbers. Customers with the 856 area code should also start dialing 10 digits (area code + seven digits) for local calls to 609 telephone numbers. Since this is just the permissive 10-digit dialing period, if customers forget and dial just seven digits, their calls still will be completed. Local calls between 856 numbers can continue to be dialed with only seven digits.
Starting August 18, all calls made within area code 609 and between area codes 609 and 856 must be placed using the area code (609 or 856) plus the seven-digit telephone number. Seven-digit calls within these areas will no longer be completed. The new 640 area code may be assigned to customers requesting new phone numbers as soon as September 17, 2018.
The most important facts that consumers need to know about the upcoming 640 area code overlay are:
Customers should identify their telephone number as a 10-digit number (area code + seven-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to their friends, family, business associates and business customers, etc.
Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a seven-digit number from a 609 area code are reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedures. Also, any equipment that is programmed to dial a seven-digit number from an 856 area code to a 609 area code telephone number must be reprogramed to include the area code.
Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, stored telephone numbers in mobile and cordless phone contact lists, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.
Customers also should check their personal and business stationery, checks, advertising materials, websites, contact information, and personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in the telephone number.
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