What is the 508 Area Code? Time Zone and Location
- Area code 508 is located in Massachusetts and covers Worcester, New Bedford, Brockton, Fall River, and Framingham — it has a single overlay (774) that serves the same area.
- Combined with overlay 774, it covers 132 cities across 11 counties in central and southeastern Massachusetts, serving a population of 6,667,554.
- Major cities covered include Worcester, New Bedford, Brockton, Framingham, Plymouth, Barnstable, Falmouth, Hyannis, Attleboro, Taunton, Leominster, Fitchburg, Marlborough, Fall River, and all communities along the Cape Cod peninsula and islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
- The 508 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone, observing Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4) during daylight saving time from March through November.
- Area code 508 was put into service on July 16, 1988, and was the 133rd area code in service — one of 3 area codes introduced in 1988 — created to relieve the pressure on the 617 area code as numbers in 617 were being exhausted.
- 508 was split in 1997, creating area code 978 for northeastern Massachusetts, with area code 774 created in 2001 as the current overlay for the remaining 508 territory.
- 10-digit dialing mandatory for all local calls within the 508/774 overlay complex.
508 Area Code Quick Facts
| Area Code | 508 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State / Region | Massachusetts (central and southeastern Massachusetts — Worcester to Cape Cod) |
| Area Code Type | Overlay area code (shares region with area code 774) |
| Overlay Codes | 774 |
| Major Cities Covered | Worcester, New Bedford, Brockton, Framingham, Plymouth, Barnstable, Falmouth, Hyannis, Attleboro, Taunton, Leominster, Fitchburg, Marlborough, Fall River, Quincy (southern portion), Wareham, Sandwich, Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown |
| Primary City Association | Worcester, Massachusetts (the second-largest city in New England) |
| Geographic Coverage | 192 cities across 8 counties in central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket, Plymouth, Norfolk, and Middlesex counties — covering approximately 2,900 square miles |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
| Standard Time Offset | UTC −5 hours |
| Daylight Saving Time | UTC −4 hours (EDT) |
| DST Period (2026 Example) | March → November |
| Introduced / Activation Date | July 16, 1988 |
| Reason for Creation | Split from area code 617 in 1988 as eastern Massachusetts' rapid population growth exhausted available numbers — 617 had served all of eastern Massachusetts since 1947; 508 was then split again in 1997, creating 978 for the northeastern portion |
| Dialing Requirement | 10-digit dialing mandatory (due to 508/774 overlay complex) |
| Coverage Nature | Overlay complex — 508 and 774 share the same central and southeastern Massachusetts geography |
| Population Coverage | Combined with overlay 774, serves a population of 6,667,554 across central and southeastern Massachusetts |
| Nearby / Related Area Codes | 339/781 (Boston suburbs), 413 (Springfield), 617/857 (Boston), 774 (508 overlay), 978/351 (Lowell/Lawrence), 401 (Rhode Island), 203/860 (Connecticut) |
| Telecom System | North American Numbering Plan (NANP) |
| Major Carriers | Verizon New England holds the largest share of 508 prefixes, followed by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, Comcast, and MCI/Verizon |
| Example Phone Format | (508) XXX-XXXX |
| Usage Type | Mobile, landline, VoIP numbers |
| Business Use | Essential for local presence across central and southeastern Massachusetts — covering the "Heart of the Commonwealth" from Worcester's industrial and university base through the affluent Cape Cod summer economy to the historic fishing and manufacturing communities of the South Coast |
| Number Availability | Currently uses 749 prefixes, assigned from 508-202-XXXX through 508-999-XXXX |
| Area Code Status | Active and widely used |
| Economic Profile | The median household income for Worcester County is approximately $93,561, while Barnstable County (Cape Cod) is even higher — both consistently surpassing state and national averages, reflecting the concentration of corporate headquarters, financial services, and high-wage academic and medical professions in the 508 region |
| Notable Geography | The 508 area code is the only code serving the entire Cape Cod peninsula and the exclusive island communities of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket — some of the most coveted summer destinations in the United States — as well as historic Plymouth, home of the Mayflower landing, and the working fishing port of New Bedford, once the world's leading whaling center |
Is the 508 Area Code a Scam?
| Spam Ranking | Ranked #62 for spam complaints nationally — one of the highest-ranked area codes in New England — accounting for approximately 0.40% of all spam complaints |
|---|---|
| Spam Growth | Spam calls in Massachusetts increased by 219.92% over the past year — one of the sharpest statewide increases in the Northeast — with the highest volume recorded in January 2026, accounting for 13.91% of all calls |
| Most Common Complaint Type | Live voice complaints make up 54.43% of total reports — the dominant complaint type by a wide margin — reflecting the heavy reliance on live operators in 508-area scam campaigns |
| Top Scam Categories | Medical device calls make up 15.02% of complaints — the single largest category by a substantial margin — followed by Medicare/Medicaid (12.56%), solar panels (7.39%), credit card debt (4.68%), and auto warranty (4.68%) |
| Top Reported Cities for Complaints | New Bedford, MA leads with 6.89% of complaints, followed by Worcester, MA (3.41%), Gloucester, MA (3.14%), Plymouth, MA (2.51%), and Grafton, MA (2%) |
| Peak Complaint Period | January 2026 saw the highest volume of complaints for area code 508, with February 2026 showing an 87.5% decrease compared to January 2026 |
| Common Labels | National Grid impersonator, Medicare medical device fraudster, fake charity collector, SSA impersonator, solar panel harasser, fake process server |
| Spoofing Risk | Scammers frequently spoof Massachusetts (Worcester, New Bedford, Brockton) phone numbers to trick recipients into answering — if you live in or near Massachusetts or have a 508 phone number yourself, scammers know you are more likely to answer what appears to be a local call |
| Typical Strategy | Neighbor spoofing — appearing as a familiar Worcester, New Bedford, or Brockton number to build trust before making fraudulent utility, Medicare, or legal demands |
| Signature Scam — National Grid Energy Bill Discount | Scammers spoof National Grid's number on caller ID and offer a fraudulent 30% discount on your electric bill — callers with thick Indian accents using American names like "Mike," "Susan," or "Debbie" demand you get your recent bill and provide your account number to apply the fake discount, becoming rude and agitated if you question their legitimacy, then using your account number to switch your energy supplier without your permission |
| Signature Scam — Medicare Medical Device Fraud | Medical device calls are the #1 scam complaint for the 508 area code — callers targeting Worcester and South Coast seniors claim Medicare has approved free braces, diabetic supplies, or other equipment, then use the Medicare number provided to file fraudulent claims for devices never ordered or received |
| Signature Scam — Chinese-Language Robocall Campaign | A targeted wave of Chinese-language robocalls specifically hitting Massachusetts area codes, including 508, targeting Chinese-American communities in Worcester and surrounding cities, often with impersonation of Chinese government officials or consulate representatives demanding money to resolve fabricated legal problems |
| Signature Scam — Student Loan Forgiveness | Student loan forgiveness schemes specifically target 508-area college communities — with Worcester's concentration of universities making it a prime target — using unsolicited calls offering fast loan elimination while charging illegal upfront fees and requesting FSA login credentials |
| Signature Scam — Fake Charity Collections | Fake charity fundraisers collecting donations for causes that do not exist run across all Massachusetts area codes, including 508 — targeting the generosity of close-knit New England communities by soliciting for vague police, veteran, or disaster relief funds through robocalls and live operators |
| Reporting Authority | Report suspicious calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the Massachusetts AG at mass.gov/ago, or at 617-727-8400; for National Grid scams, call their official line at 1-800-322-3223 |
| Key Risk Indicator | Unsolicited National Grid calls offering specific percentage discounts and asking for your account number, Medicare callers offering free medical equipment without a doctor's referral, Chinese-language robocalls from official-sounding sources, or student loan forgiveness offers requiring upfront fees |
| Safety Tip | National Grid will never make unsolicited calls offering discounts on your bill and asking for your account number — they communicate through your monthly bill, official mailers, or their website. Any caller asking you to read your account number to apply a discount is attempting an unauthorized energy supplier switch |
What Are the Business Benefits of the 508 Area Code?
| Local Presence | A 508 number instantly signals that your business is a genuine, connected partner within the corporate, medical, academic, and tourism heartland of Massachusetts outside of Boston — covering a vast and economically diverse region from Worcester's industrial university base to the exclusive resort communities of Cape Cod and the Islands |
|---|---|
| Customer Trust Factor | A local Worcester, New Bedford, or Hyannis 508 number dramatically increases answer rates vs. unknown out-of-state numbers in a market ranging from diverse urban communities to tight-knit Cape Cod resort towns where local identity is paramount |
| Coverage Advantage | One number covers 192 cities across 8 counties — spanning approximately 2,900 square miles from Worcester's central Massachusetts location through the South Coast fishing communities to the tip of Cape Cod and out to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket |
| Cape Cod & Islands Tourism Economy | The 508 area code exclusively serves Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket — some of the most coveted and high-value summer destinations in the United States — making a local 508 number essential for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and real estate firms serving this premium leisure market |
| VoIP Compatibility | Easily available for SaaS platforms, call centers, and remote teams serving the central and southeastern Massachusetts market |
| Scalability | Covers roughly 7.49 million unique phone numbers across the 508/774 overlay complex with solid prefix availability |
| Affluent Market Access | Barnstable County's (Cape Cod's) median household income consistently surpasses state and national averages — making 508 numbers particularly valuable for luxury real estate, financial advisory, and premium hospitality businesses targeting one of New England's wealthiest consumer markets |
| Marketing Use | Ideal for local SEO, digital ads, and customer outreach across Worcester, New Bedford, Brockton, Framingham, Plymouth, Barnstable, Falmouth, Hyannis, Attleboro, Taunton, and all Cape Cod and island communities |
| Startup Friendly | Highly attractive for biotech, medical device, and clean energy startups given Worcester's growing university-driven innovation ecosystem — anchored by WPI, UMass Medical School, and Clark University — as well as the offshore wind energy development opportunity along the South Coast |
| Call Routing Flexibility | Can route calls globally while appearing local to central and southeastern Massachusetts customers — particularly valuable for Cape Cod seasonal businesses managing year-round operations from off-Cape locations |
| Top Industries | Healthcare (St. Vincent Hospital Worcester, Cape Cod Healthcare, UMass Memorial Medical Center), higher education (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, UMass Medical School, Holy Cross), biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, fishing and seafood (New Bedford — the highest-value fishing port in the US), tourism and hospitality (Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket), manufacturing, and financial services benefit most from a local 508 presence |
| Use Case Examples | AI receptionist, hospital and healthcare network lines, university-affiliated research services, biotech and pharma support lines, Cape Cod hotel and resort booking lines, real estate agencies (Cape Cod luxury market), fishing and seafood industry services, offshore wind energy development lines, and local retail and hospitality businesses |
