Area code 838 – New York
838 has served New York since 2017, split from 518. 227 of its 786 number blocks are allocated (29%). Other CLEC / VoIP is the largest holder with 49.8% of blocks, ahead of Onvoy / Inteliquent at 23.8%. It shares its geography with overlay codes 518, so local calls take all ten digits. FTC complaints naming a 838 caller ID totalled 500 in the 33 days to 30 October 2026 (210th of 422 ranked codes).
Who holds 838 number blocks
Share of the 227 assigned NXX blocks (28.9% of the 786 possible), across 43 carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers.
- Other CLEC / VoIP46.7%
- Onvoy23.8%
- AT&T10.6%
- Charter9.3%
- Verizon2.6%
- T-Mobile2.6%
- Dish0.9%
- Bandwidth0.9%
- Vonage0.4%
- Telnyx0.4%
- Comcast0.4%
- TPx0.4%
- 8x80.4%
- Twilio0.4%
Spam complaints naming 838
FTC Do Not Call complaints where the caller ID was a 838 number, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 (33 days). Caller IDs on spam calls are frequently spoofed, so these are complaints about the code, not calls proven to originate in it.
Rate centers in 838
NANPA allocates number blocks to rate centers and records their names abbreviated to ten characters, so these are NANPA's codes rather than place names – CHAMPAURBN is Champaign-Urbana, NWYRCYZN01 is a New York City zone. We show them unchanged instead of guessing at the full names. Showing the largest 5 of 107.
Timeline
- 2017 838 goes into service, split from or overlaid on 518.
More about 838
Separate pages for the questions that need their own answer: what time it is there, what the complaint data says, who holds the number blocks, and how the code compares with the one it shares its area with.
Frequently asked about 838
What state is area code 838?
New York. It covers the same area as 518/838.
Is a call from 838 a scam?
Not by itself. 838 drew 500 FTC complaints in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 210th of 422 ranked codes – mid-pack or lower. Spam callers spoof caller IDs, so the only useful check is the full number.
Which carrier owns 838 numbers?
Other CLEC / VoIP holds the largest share of assigned number blocks at 49.8%. The rest is spread across 3 other carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers – people keep their numbers when they switch carriers.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in 838?
Yes – ten digits for local calls in 838, because it shares its area with another code.
Sources and verification
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- NANPA – CO Code Assignment Records, All States (utilized), file updated 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 25 daily files 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
NANPA dialing note for this code: “10D”. Reviewed by the data desk. Spotted an error? Request a correction.