Ever wondered about the story behind 817-386-8355? This peculiar phone number from the Fort Worth area of Texas has garnered attention for its unique pattern and memorable sequence. Whether you’ve received a call from this number or stumbled upon it online, there’s more to this combination of digits than meets the eye.
In today’s digital age where phone numbers can make or break business relationships, understanding the significance of area code 817 and its connection to Tarrant County’s bustling commercial landscape becomes increasingly important. From local businesses to potential scam alerts, this number’s history reveals interesting insights into telecommunication patterns in North Texas.
817-386-8355
Area code 817 serves as the primary telecommunications identifier for the Fort Worth metropolitan area in Texas. This code connects millions of residents across multiple counties in the North Texas region.
Brief History of the Texas Area Code
Area code 817 emerged in 1947 as one of the original area codes established through AT&T’s North American Numbering Plan. The code operated as a single designation for North Central Texas until 1999, when increasing population growth led to the introduction of area code 254 for the western portion. In 2000, area code 682 joined as an overlay to accommodate the expanding telecommunications needs of the region. The evolution of this area code reflects the rapid urbanization of Fort Worth from a population of 278,000 in 1947 to over 2.1 million residents today.
Geographic Coverage Around Fort Worth
The 817 area code spans across Tarrant County extending into portions of Johnson, Ellis, Hood, Parker, Wise, Erath, Somervell, Palo Pinto, Jack, Young, Hamilton counties. Fort Worth stands as the largest city within this code’s territory, accompanied by Arlington, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine. The code serves major economic centers including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas Christian University. This region encompasses 7,700 square miles of diverse urban commercial districts suburban residential areas rural communities.
| Area Code Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Year Established | 1947 |
| Population Served | 2.1+ million |
| Geographic Coverage | 7,700 sq miles |
| Counties Covered | 11 |
| Major Cities | 7+ |
Major Cities and Areas Using 8173868355
The phone number 8173868355 operates within the 817 area code serving Fort Worth’s metropolitan region. This numeric sequence connects callers across multiple municipalities in North Central Texas.
Fort Worth Metropolitan Areas
Fort Worth stands as the primary metropolitan hub utilizing the 8173868355 prefix. The downtown business district encompasses major commercial centers including Sundance Square, the Cultural District with its renowned museums, the Near Southside medical district with several hospitals, the Stockyards National Historic District. Notable institutions connected through this prefix include Texas Christian University, Tarrant County College, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, JPS Health Network.
Surrounding Suburban Communities
Arlington serves as a significant suburban center with direct access to 8173868355 connections. North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Keller, Saginaw, Bedford, Euless, Grapevine, Mansfield, Burleson maintain active telephone networks under this numbering system. These communities form vital commercial corridors along Interstate 20, Interstate 30, Interstate 35W, State Highway 121. Key business districts in these areas include Arlington’s Entertainment District, Grapevine Mills, North East Mall in Hurst, Alliance Town Center in north Fort Worth.
Identifying Legitimate vs Spam Calls From 8173868355
Phone number verification aids in distinguishing legitimate calls from potential scams originating from 8173868355 in the Fort Worth area. The identification process involves recognizing specific patterns consistent with both authentic business communications and fraudulent activities.
Common Phone Scam Warning Signs
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- Automated messages claiming immediate action for unpaid taxes or bills
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- Callers requesting sensitive information like Social Security numbers or banking details
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- High-pressure sales tactics demanding instant payment through gift cards or wire transfers
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- Spoofed caller ID displaying local Fort Worth numbers to appear legitimate
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- Robocalls outside permitted business hours (9 AM to 9 PM)
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- Multiple calls from the same number within short time intervals
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- Pre-recorded messages about winning prizes or exclusive offers
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- Search the number through the FTC’s complaint database
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- Use reverse phone lookup services to identify the registered owner
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- Check Better Business Bureau records for business legitimacy
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- Verify caller credentials through official Fort Worth business directories
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- Document call patterns including time frequency length duration
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- Record interaction details for potential fraud reporting
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- Cross-reference the number with local Texas Do Not Call Registry
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- Utilize phone carrier verification tools to detect spoofed numbers
Registering and Reporting Unwanted Calls
The Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry offers protection from unwanted telemarketing calls from 8173868355. Consumers register their phone numbers at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
Three essential reporting channels help track suspicious calls:
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- FTC Complaint Assistant (ftc.gov/complaint)
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- Files formal complaints about violations
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- Tracks patterns of illegal calling activity
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- Provides evidence for law enforcement action
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- FCC Consumer Complaint Center
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- Documents robocalls telemarketing violations
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- Records caller ID spoofing incidents
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- Registers unwanted text messages
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- Local Law Enforcement
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- Reports phone scam attempts
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- Documents financial losses
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- Files criminal complaints
| Reporting Platform | Response Time | Documentation Required |
|---|---|---|
| FTC Complaint | 24-48 hours | Phone number date time |
| FCC Center | 30 days | Call details carrier info |
| Local Police | Immediate | Incident report proof of loss |
Key information to include when reporting:
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- Phone number (8173868355)
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- Date time of calls
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- Nature of conversation
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- Company name if provided
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- Caller ID information
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- Recording of call (where legal)
The Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division accepts reports specific to 817 area code violations through their online portal or hotline at 1-800-621-0508.
Blocking Options for 8173868355
Phone carriers provide multiple methods to block unwanted calls from 8173868355:
Mobile Device Blocking
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- iPhone users access blocking through Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts
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- Android devices utilize the Phone app > Menu > Settings > Blocked Numbers
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- Third party apps like Truecaller integrate with both operating systems
Carrier Services
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- AT&T Call Protect filters suspicious calls automatically
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- Verizon Call Filter identifies spam numbers
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- T-Mobile Scam Shield blocks known scam patterns
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- Sprint Premium Caller ID screens unknown callers
Digital Tools
| Platform | Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| YouMail | Customized blocking | Free – $5/mo |
| RoboKiller | AI detection | $3.99/mo |
| Nomorobo | Real-time screening | $1.99/mo |
Network Level Protection
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- Contact phone carrier to block at network level
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- Request permanent blocking of specific numbers
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- Enable spam filtering through carrier account settings
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- Activate built-in network security features
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- Add 8173868355 to device contact list as “Spam”
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- Send calls directly to voicemail
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- Screen calls through Do Not Disturb settings
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- Block text messages from the number
These blocking methods prevent future contact attempts while maintaining records of blocked communications for reporting purposes.
Unwanted Calls
Understanding the story behind 817-386-8355 reveals the complex telecommunications landscape of Fort Worth and its surrounding areas. The number’s connection to this thriving Texas region highlights both opportunities and challenges in modern communication.
While area code 817 serves as a vital link for millions of residents the increasing prevalence of unwanted calls demands vigilance. Through proper verification tools blocking mechanisms and reporting channels residents can protect themselves while maintaining the benefits of this essential telecommunications network.
Knowledge about this number and its area code empowers Fort Worth residents to make informed decisions about their communications while staying safe from potential scams.
