Jackson County Reverse Phone Lookup

What are Jackson County Area Codes?

The Bell System created the North American Numbering Plan in the 1940s. Part of the plan included the use of area codes to replace the cumbersome call operations system which required human operators to connect calls across the existing telephony communications system. Area codes were formed as three-digit prefixes added to seven-digit telephone numbers to route calls through the different geographical areas that were created. Each geographical area has its own area code. Hence, using area codes helped to automate calls and removed the reliance on human operators in connecting calls. You can find the area code of any geographical area in the United States by using an area code lookup tool online.

Only one area code currently serves Jackson County – Area code 228.

Area Code 228

Area Code 228 was created from area code 601 and was first used on September 15, 1997. It is located in southern Mississippi and serves Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Gautier, Ocean Springs, Long Beach, and Moss Point.

What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in Jackson County?

The cell phone plan market is flooded with several options for persons looking to subscribe to plans to meet varying needs. Wireless telephony usage in Jackson County has increased dramatically in recent times with evolution in technology influencing a greater need for wireless connections. According to a 2018 survey conducted by the National Centre for Health Statistics, 66.5% of persons residing in the state above the age of 18 used wireless-only telephony, while only 3.9% used landline-only telephony. Among residents under the age of 18, the adoption rate for wireless telephony was higher with 80.9% adopting wireless-only telephony, while only 0.6% used landline telephony service exclusively.

Before signing up for a cell phone plan, you should consider the provider's coverage in your local area. In the county seat of Pascagoula, Verizon has the best overall coverage with a 94% score. AT&T's coverage is rated 86%, while T-Mobile has a coverage score of 56%. Sprint's coverage is currently poorly rated owing to complaints of uncompleted calls among subscribers.

You can also purchase a cell phone plan from Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) operating in Jackson County. These smaller carriers are less known than the major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) but offer decent coverage in many locations. MVNOs rely on the infrastructure of the MNOs to offer wireless services to their customers. Network coverage for an MVNO is typically as strong as the network coverage of the MNO providing the infrastructure being used.

To cut down on costs, many Jackson Counties have switched to using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to make and receive phone calls. Calls made on VoIP plans are cheaper when compared to the Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) due to the amount of infrastructural investment required to use the technology. VoIP uses existing infrastructure (Internet) to make calls possible.

What are Jackson County Phone Scams?

Jackson County phone scams are fraudulent activities perpetrated using phone calls by fraudsters to extort money or private information from Jackson County residents. Criminals often use persuasive or aggressive tactics over the phone to lure residents into believing that they are protecting or helping them to resolve issues. However, they are using the opportunities afforded them to steal money or obtain sensitive information. While older people may be vulnerable to phone scams, younger people are also targeted by con artists. Phone lookup applications help unmask the real identities of phone scammers. Common phone scams in Jackson County include law enforcement impersonation scams, IRS scams, emergency scams, and utility scams.

What are Jackson County Law Enforcement Impersonation Scams?

The law enforcement impersonation scam is rampant in Jackson County. Here, persons purporting themselves to be deputy sheriffs or employees of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) demand payment from targets to avoid arrests. These impersonators claim that residents have missed jury duties or failed to pay ticket fines and have outstanding arrest warrants for such offenses. Sometimes, the con artists drop callback numbers for targets to contact to resolve pending issues. When they call back they are tricked into believing that they have reached the JCSO’s voicemail. Targets are asked to send gift cards, purchase prepaid gift cards, or send payment by MoneyGram or Western Union. Phone lookup applications can help uncover the true identities of law enforcement impersonators.

What are Jackson County IRS Scams?

IRS scammers claim Jackson County residents owe back taxes and will be taken to jail if they do not pay up immediately. These persons often spoof the caller ID of the real IRS and use fake names and badges to sound legitimate to targets. They claim to employees of the IRS and also threaten deportation or suspension of targets' driver's licenses. IRS scammers direct the targets to certain locations, usually local stores, from which targets can purchase reloadable cards and transfer funds.

Many victims have also reported being told to wire funds to other conspirators using MoneyGram, Walmart2Walmart, Ria Financial, and Western Union. The callers remain on the telephone with the victims to monitor the transactions. Reverse phone number lookup applications can prevent residents from falling victim to IRS scams.

What are Jackson County Emergency Scams?

Emergency scams in Jackson County are usually targeted at elderly residents. You may receive a call from someone pretending to be an attorney who claims that a family member has been involved in a car accident with an open container. The caller says the family member, typically a grandson, has been arrested and needs bond money to be released from custody.

Usually, the caller has some type of personal information about the target or family members that tricks the target into believing that the call is authentic. Bond requests by emergency scammers may run into several thousands of dollars. Targets who claim not to have the requested amounts are sometimes allowed to negotiate lower monetary amounts. The con artists then request that targets send money through wire transfers to specific accounts. You can use a reverse cell phone lookup tool to verify if a caller’s identity matches the name given.

What are Jackson County Utility Scams?

Utility scams are perpetrated by persons posing as representatives or employees of utility companies. Common utility companies include water, gas, and electrical power companies. These supposed representatives harass residents with threats of disconnecting services or shutting down utilities for failing to pay purported overdue utility bills.  In a recent twist, utility scammers now say targets overpaid on their past bills and are due refunds. To obtain the refunds, they ask targets for their Social Security numbers, bank account information, credit card details, and other sensitive information. To verify that callers are who they say they are, you can use good reverse phone lookup tools online to quickly do a number lookup or reverse number lookup.

What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?

If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, you have been contacted by a robocall. Robocalls are useful in disseminating public information and are legally used by public bodies in reaching large audiences. However, con artists now place a lot of robocalls to residents trying to sell products and services that are illegal. Under the Federal Trade Commission rules, a robocall trying to sell you something is illegal unless the company or individual has your written permission to call you with robocalls. The FTC rules also allow you to change your mind on the permission later.

The number of robocalls received by Jackson County residents and Mississippi has risen in recent times.  Advancements in technology have made it cheap and easy for scammers and telemarketers to make robocalls over the internet from anywhere in the world, leading to tons of unsolicited and unwanted spam calls. In 2020, over 424 million robocalls were placed to Mississippi residents. Between January and April 2021, Mississippi residents received nearly 160 million robocalls.

A phone lookup service can help determine if an incoming call is a robocall. You can also follow these guidelines to limit the scourge of robocalls:

• Confirm that you are on the national Do-Not-Call List: Although scammers may find ways around the Do-Not-Call Registry, it is still a good idea to add your number to the registry. That way, you will get fewer robocalls from companies following the 2019 Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED). The act increases penalties and requires phone companies to validate calls before they reach you. Call (888) 382-1222 from the phone you want to register or register online at DoNotCall. Register your home and cellphone numbers or confirm those numbers are already on the list.
• Use voicemail as a weapon: One of the easiest methods to fight robocalls is to screen calls through your voicemail. Telemarketers often hang up when the call goes to voicemail.
• Use your smartphone's number-blocking feature: If you get an unsolicited call, you can block that number for good. Check your phone call settings to activate this feature. This is usually an effective option for many people.
• Ask your phone company about call-blocking services: Many phone service providers offer free call-blocking features. You may contact your provider to find out if one is included in your plan or may be purchased as an add-on service.
• Download a third-party call-blocking application: You can find one on any of the major mobile application stores. Examples include Hiya, Truecaller, and Nomorobo.
• Hang up on robocalls. If you answer a call and hear a recorded message instead of a live operator, hang up immediately. Do not follow any instructions provided on the call.

How to Spot and Report Jackson County Phone Scams?

Many phone scam victims have reported believing that they were contacted by representatives of real government agencies and reputable businesses. However, scammers used caller ID spoofing to mimic the caller ID information of trusted agencies to appear legitimate. You can no longer rely on caller ID information to trust the other person on the line. Advancements in technology have meant that con artists are finding new ways of defrauding people. You may use reverse number lookup tools to spot potential phone scammers. By staying alert and aware of common scam tricks you can also limit the impact of phone scams.

Watch out for these red flags when you receive unsolicited calls:

• The caller only wants to accept payment through specific methods: Scammers prefer to receive payments through methods that ensure their identities remain private. These include wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, gift cards, and prepaid debit cards. Payments made through this method are difficult to trace and refund.
• The caller says you have to decide now: Fraudsters commonly use this pressure tactic to get targets to divulge sensitive personal information or transfer funds into unverified accounts. They create high-pressure situations to illegally obtain money or information.
• The caller demands your personal information: Always keep your sensitive information private. These include Social Security number, birth date, credit card information, and bank account information. Regardless of who callers claim to be, do not release sensitive information to them.
• The caller harasses or threatens you: Fraudsters use intimidation to get targets to cooperate. You may be threatened with arrest or imprisonment. You may also be scared into believing you are about to lose all your savings in the bank. Real government agencies and reputable private agencies do not threaten residents.
• The caller asks you to pay an upfront fee to obtain a grant or win a prize: Do not pay upfront fees to obtain a prize or grant. Scammers use the bait of big winnings, prizes, or returns to lure targets to pay upfront fees.

If you are fallen victim or have been contacted by a scammer, you can file complaints with any of the following public bodies:

• The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments: If you have received a call from a scammer, you can contact your local police department or the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at (228) 769-3063. In the county seat of Pascagoula, you can contact the Pascagoula Police Department at (228) 762-2211.
• Mississippi Public Service Commission: Illegal telemarketers can be reported to the Mississippi Public Service Commission by calling (601) 961-5434.
• The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office:  To report a scam, you can file a complaint online to the Attorney General’s Office or call the Office’s toll-free line at (601) 359-3680.
• Federal Communications Commission: If you receive unwanted robocalls and text messages, you can file a report online with the FCC.
• Federal Trade Commission - The FTC protects consumers from deceptive and fraudulent practices. You can file a phone scam report with the FTC by completing the online complaint form.
• The United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TITGA): If you have been contacted by an IRS scammer, contact the TITGA by calling the office at (800) 366-4484