What is the 708 Area Code? Time Zone and Location
- Area code 708 is located in Illinois and covers Cicero, Orland Park, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, and Oak Park, with a single overlay (464) that serves the same area
- Combined with overlay 464, it covers 78 cities across 4 counties in the Chicago suburban region, serving a population of 7,619,115
- Major cities covered include Chicago, Cicero, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, and Buffalo Grove
- The 708 area code is located in the Central Time Zone, following UTC−6 during Central Standard Time and UTC−5 during Central Daylight Time
- Area code 708 was put into service on November 11, 1989, and was the 134th area code in service — the only area code introduced that year — created to relieve pressure on the 312 area code as numbers in 312 were being exhausted
- 708 was split in 1996, creating area code 847, and again in 1996 to create area code 630, with overlay 464 added in 2022 to handle continued growth in the region
- 7-digit local dialing is supported within the same NPA, though 10-digit dialing is recommended
708 Area Code Quick Facts
| Area Code | 708 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State / Region | Illinois (southern and western Chicago suburbs) |
| Area Code Type | Overlay area code (shares region with other codes) |
| Overlay Codes | 464 |
| Major Cities Covered | Cicero, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Park, Chicago Heights, Harvey, Calumet City, Maywood, Bellwood, Blue Island, Lansing, Homewood, Riverdale, La Grange, Palos Hills |
| Primary City Association | Chicago (southern/western suburbs), Illinois |
| Geographic Coverage | 72 cities across 2 counties in Cook County and Will County, covering the southern and western suburbs of Chicago |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Standard Time Offset | UTC −6 hours |
| Daylight Saving Time | UTC −5 hours (CDT) |
| DST Period (2026 Example) | March → November |
| Introduced / Activation Date | November 11, 1989 |
| Reason for Creation | Created to relieve the pressure on the 312 area code as Illinois' explosive population growth exhausted available numbers in the Chicago region |
| Dialing Requirement | 7-digit local dialing supported; 10-digit dialing required across the broader Chicago metro overlay complex |
| Coverage Nature | Overlay complex — 708 and 464 share the same southern and western Chicago suburban geography |
| Population Coverage | Combined with overlay 464, serves a population of 7,619,115 across the broader Chicago suburban region |
| Nearby / Related Area Codes | 464 (708 overlay), 312/773/872 (Chicago), 331/630 (Aurora/Naperville), 779/815 (Rockford), 224/847 (Lake County suburbs), as well as 219/574 (Northern Indiana) |
| Telecom System | North American Numbering Plan (NANP) |
| Example Phone Format | (708) XXX-XXXX |
| Usage Type | Mobile, landline, VoIP numbers |
| Business Use | Highly valued for local presence across Chicago's densely populated and commercially active southern and western suburbs |
| Number Availability | Currently uses 784 prefixes, assigned from 708-200-XXXX through 708-999-XXXX |
| Area Code Status | Active and widely used |
| Notable Distinction | Covers roughly 7.86 million unique phone numbers serving La Grange, Chicago, and Chicago Heights — one of the most densely populated suburban corridors in the Midwest |
Is the 708 Area Code a Scam?
| Spam Ranking | Ranked #127 for spam complaints nationally |
|---|---|
| Spam Share | Accounts for approximately 0.31% of all spam complaints |
| Most Common Scam Type | Prerecorded voice complaints make up 48.5% of total spam reports for area code 708 |
| Top Reported Cities for Complaints | Palos Hills, IL (5.15%), Chicago, IL (4.18%), Orland Park, IL (3.35%), Oak Forest, IL (3.26%), and Riverdale, IL (2.58%) |
| Peak Complaint Period | August 2025 saw the highest volume of complaints, with January 2026 showing a 91.7% decrease compared to December 2025 |
| Common Labels | Robocaller, fake debt collector, SSA impersonator, utility switcher, Amazon fraud |
| Spoofing Risk | Area code 708 is real, but scammers exploit it to make fraudulent calls, often using medical impersonation or pretending to be from trusted sources to gain the victim's confidence |
| Typical Strategy | Neighbor spoofing — faking a familiar Orland Park, Oak Lawn, or Cicero number to increase the likelihood of being answered by suburban Chicago residents |
| Signature Scam — Fake Debt Collector | Scammers claiming to be from mediation firms like "Ovation Communications" — using names like "Tom McCoy" or "Amy Schaffer" — tell victims they have "two pending matters" or an outstanding debt from years ago, threatening to send an "escort service" to their home or workplace and referencing fake case numbers like "PGT 876-7315" to pressure payment for debts that do not exist |
| Signature Scam — Auto Warranty Robocall | Persistent robocalls open with "we've been trying to reach you concerning your car's extended warranty," often referencing specific vehicles like a "2015 Hyundai" to sound credible — calling multiple times daily from different 708 numbers and becoming pushy when questioned |
| Signature Scam — SSA & IRS Threats | Robocallers claim your Social Security Number has been "blocked" or used for "suspicious activities," or threaten that "the IRS and police were on their way" to collect unpaid taxes — spoofing local 708 numbers or displaying "Police Department" on caller ID to appear legitimate |
| Signature Scam — Fake Amazon Purchase Alert | Scammers send messages or calls claiming you've made a large purchase — such as an "iPad Pro" for $1,153.95 — then provide a 708 number to call to cancel, where they persuade victims to install remote access software like AnyDesk or Splashtop to drain bank accounts |
| Signature Scam — Utility Switcher | Callers identifying themselves as being from "Budget Energy" or another provider claim your ComEd agreement has expired and pressure you to switch suppliers, using account information to authorize unauthorized energy contract changes |
| Key Risk Indicator | Threats about pending debts or legal action, urgent requests to install software, claims about your Social Security Number being suspended, or unsolicited energy supplier offers |
| Safety Tip | Amazon will never ask you to install third-party software to resolve a billing issue — and the Social Security Administration and IRS do not call to threaten arrest or demand immediate payment; always hang up and contact organizations directly through their official websites |
What Are the Business Benefits of the 708 Area Code?
| Local Presence | Helps businesses appear local across Chicago's high-density southern and western suburbs — one of the most commercially active suburban corridors in the entire Midwest |
|---|---|
| Customer Trust Factor | A local 708 number dramatically increases answer rates vs. unknown out-of-state numbers in a close-knit suburban Chicago market where residents strongly favor recognizable local numbers |
| Coverage Advantage | One number covers 78 cities across 4 counties, including Cook, DuPage, Will, and Lake counties — reaching millions of consumers across the greater Chicago suburban ring |
| VoIP Compatibility | Easily available for SaaS platforms, call centers, and remote teams serving the greater Chicago suburban market |
| Scalability | Covers roughly 7.86 million unique phone numbers with extensive prefix availability across the 708/464 overlay complex |
| Marketing Use | Ideal for local SEO, digital ads, and customer outreach across Orland Park, Oak Lawn, Cicero, Tinley Park, Berwyn, Oak Park, and surrounding communities |
| Startup Friendly | Cost-effective entry point for businesses targeting Chicago's suburbs without the premium cost of a 312 downtown Chicago number — particularly attractive for logistics, healthcare, and professional services |
| Call Routing Flexibility | Can route calls globally while appearing local to Chicago suburban customers |
| Top Industries | Manufacturing, healthcare, retail, logistics, financial services, and education benefit most, given the region's dense population and its role as a key part of the broader Chicago metropolitan economy |
| Use Case Examples | AI receptionist, logistics and warehousing support lines, healthcare practices, retail and service businesses, real estate agencies, financial advisory services, and local government offices |
