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262 Area Code: Quick Overview, Location, Map, Scams

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What is the 262 Area Code? Time Zone and Location

  • Area code 262 is the area code for the suburbs of Milwaukee — it includes the cities of Kenosha, Racine, and Waukesha, and is the only area code that serves the area.
  • There are currently no overlays, meaning 262 is the only area code for the geographic regions it serves — in all, it serves a population of 2,296,674 individuals across 9 counties.
  • The 262 area code covers 62 cities, including Milwaukee suburban communities, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, West Bend, West Allis, Fond du Lac, New Berlin, Brookfield, and Menomonee Falls.
  • Area code 262 is located in the Central Time Zone — following Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6) during standard time and Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5) during daylight saving time from March through November. This aligns with other regional commercial corridors such as Illinois's 331 area code, Michigan's 269 area code, Alabama's 205 area code, and Texas's 346 area code.
  • Area code 262 was put into service on September 25, 1999, and was the 266th area code in service — one of 23 area codes introduced in 1999 — created to relieve the pressure on the 414 area code as numbers in 414 were being exhausted.
  • As a result of the split, 262 was designated for a separate numbering plan area with nearly all of the territory outside Milwaukee County — a few slivers of Waukesha and Washington counties stayed in 414.
  • 7-digit local dialing is the calling pattern for local calls within the same NPA, as 262 has no overlay. For clean customer databases and outbound campaigns, format your business numbers using our Phone Number Formatter.
262 area code details
FieldDetails
Area Code262
CountryUnited States
State / RegionWisconsin (southeastern Wisconsin — Milwaukee suburbs and Lake Michigan shore)
Area Code TypeGeographic area code (no overlay — sole area code for the region)
Overlay CodesNone
Major Cities CoveredRacine, Kenosha, Waukesha, West Bend, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Fond du Lac, New Berlin, Pewaukee, Muskego, Sheboygan, Grafton, Port Washington, Hartland, Delafield, Oconomowoc, Burlington, Lake Geneva, Germantown, Sussex
Primary City AssociationWaukesha, Wisconsin (county seat) / Racine, Wisconsin (largest city within 262's core footprint)
Geographic Coverage83 cities across 7 counties in southeastern Wisconsin, including Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Washington, Ozaukee, Jefferson, and Sheboygan counties
Time ZoneCentral Time Zone (CT)
Standard Time OffsetUTC −6 hours
Daylight Saving TimeUTC −5 hours (CDT)
DST Period (2026 Example)March → November
Introduced / Activation DateSeptember 25, 1999
Reason for CreationCreated in 1999 as a geographic split from area code 414, after the Green Bay/Fox Valley region was separated into 920 in 1997 — within a year, 414 was again approaching exhaustion due to continued proliferation of cell phones and pagers, forcing the suburban Milwaukee region into the new 262 code
Dialing Requirement7-digit local dialing supported; 10-digit dialing required for calls outside the local area. Standardize your client call lists with our Phone Number Formatter.
Coverage NatureSole geographic area code — no overlay, with relief not projected until at least 2044
Population CoverageServes a population of approximately 2,296,674 individuals across 9 counties in southeastern Wisconsin
Nearby / Related Area Codes414 (Milwaukee), 534/715 (northern Wisconsin), 608 (Madison), 920 (Green Bay/Appleton), 312/773 (Chicago, IL), 224/847 (Lake County, IL), 219 (Hammond, IN), and interconnected regional markets like Illinois's 331 area code, Indiana's 317 area code, and Michigan's 269 area code.
Telecom SystemNorth American Numbering Plan (NANP)
Common Legitimate CallersKohl's Department Stores corporate offices, industrial tool sales representatives, and distribution center logistics coordinators are among the most recognized legitimate callers from 262 numbers
Example Phone Format(262) XXX-XXXX (format local numbers cleanly with our Phone Number Formatter)
Usage TypeMobile, landline, VoIP numbers
Business UseEssential for local presence across southeastern Wisconsin's manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and lakefront tourism economy. Screen inbound business calls 24/7 with an AI receptionist and verify callers using our Phone Number Validator.
Number AvailabilityCurrently uses 633 prefixes, assigned from 262-200-XXXX through 262-999-XXXX — with relief not projected until 2044 at the earliest, ensuring strong long-term availability
Area Code StatusActive and stable — no overlay or split projected for at least two decades
Geographic DistinctionArea code 262 comprises the suburbs that are part of both the Milwaukee metropolitan area and the Chicago metropolitan area — making it one of the few US area codes that straddles two major metro regions, connecting directly into northern Illinois and communities near the 331 area code.

Is the 262 Area Code a Scam?

262 area code spam and scam patterns
FieldDetails
Spam RankingArea code 262 ranks among Wisconsin's most actively targeted spam codes, with August 2025 recording the highest complaint volume. This mirrors elevated fraud traffic in other suburban and fast-growing centers such as Texas's 346 area code, Arizona's 623 area code, and New York's 315 area code.
Spam GrowthSpam calls in Wisconsin show an upward trend, with September 2025 recording 15.13% of all calls — the highest monthly volume — while prerecorded voice accounts for 47.2% of all reported Wisconsin calls statewide
Most Common Complaint TypeThe 262 area code reports retail impersonation scams (Kohl's, Amazon, Walmart), 'Can You Hear Me?' voice phishing, fake legal and arrest threat scams, Social Security and IRS impersonation, and fake police and firefighter fundraisers as its top complaint categories
Top Reported Cities for ComplaintsWest Bend, WI leads with 11.72% of complaints — by far the most targeted city — followed by Racine, WI (4.1%), Kenosha, WI (2.86%), and Pewaukee, WI (2.8%)
Common LabelsKohl's impersonator, fake SSA arrest threat, phantom plaintiff debt collector, fake police/fire charity, 'Can You Hear Me?' voice phisher, fake legal process server
Spoofing RiskScammers frequently spoof Wisconsin (Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha) phone numbers to trick recipients into answering — the 262 area code is legitimate, but any call could be spoofed from anywhere. Always inspect suspicious incoming numbers using our Phone Number Validator.
'Retail Capital' ExploitationThe 262 area code is specifically targeted by retail impersonation scams involving Kohl's, Amazon, and Walmart — Kohl's Department Stores is headquartered in Menomonee Falls within the 262 region, and scammers exploit the company's enormous brand recognition among local residents to make impersonation calls seem credible
Chicago Metro Border EffectThe 262 area code's dual status as part of both the Milwaukee and Chicago metropolitan areas means scammers can use spoofed 262 numbers to credibly target consumers in both of America's major Midwestern cities simultaneously, extending cross-border scam campaigns into Illinois's 331 area code corridor
Typical StrategyNeighbor spoofing — appearing as a familiar Waukesha, Racine, or Kenosha number to build trust before making retail impersonation, SSA arrest threats, or fake plaintiff debt collection demands
Signature Scam — Fake Plaintiff Debt Collector / SSA Arrest ThreatScammers call 262 residents claiming a plaintiff has hired them or that there are complaints filed against your name and Social Security number — threatening that if you don't call back immediately, the issue will be turned over to a judge for action at your home or work, sometimes threatening wage garnishments and arrests, and even contacting your family members with the same threatening messages
Signature Scam — Kohl's / Amazon / Walmart Retail ImpersonationScammers specifically impersonate Kohl's (headquartered in the 262 region), Amazon, and Walmart — calling 262 residents about fake purchase confirmations, loyalty reward claims, or account issues, using the deep local recognition of Kohl's to make the impersonation especially credible to southeastern Wisconsin residents
Signature Scam — 'Can You Hear Me?' Voice PhishingCallers open with 'Can you hear me?' or similar questions designed to get you to say 'yes' — recording your response and using it as a fraudulent voice authorization for charges to your phone bill or credit card
Signature Scam — Fake Police / Firefighter PAC FundraiserCallers soliciting for fake police PAC funds or firefighter charities are the most reported specific spam pattern in the 262 area code — asking for credit card or routing numbers over the phone and getting hostile when refused, for 'fundraisers' that give little or nothing to actual law enforcement or fire services
Signature Scam — IRS / Legal Arrest ThreatsThe 262 area code is specifically targeted by legal arrest threats and IRS impersonation calls — scammers claim you owe taxes or fines to the government to steal your funds, using fear of legal proceedings to pressure immediate payment
Reporting AuthorityReport suspicious calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the Wisconsin AG's Consumer Protection Division at doj.state.wi.us, or call 1-800-422-7128
Key Risk IndicatorCalls claiming a plaintiff has filed against your SSN, Kohl's alerts about orders you didn't place, 'Can you hear me?' openers from unknown numbers, police charity calls without verifiable 501(c)(3) information, or IRS threats demanding immediate payment. Filter and verify callers with our Phone Number Validator.
Safety TipThe IRS and Social Security Administration never call to threaten arrest — and Kohl's will never call about account issues and ask you to verify information over the phone. Any police charity that demands your credit card number immediately, without offering to send written information, is almost certainly a scam. Route suspicious calls safely to voicemail with a custom greeting from our Voicemail Greeting Generator.

What Are the Business Benefits of the 262 Area Code?

Business uses and advantages of a 262 number
FieldDetails
Local PresenceHelps businesses appear local across southeastern Wisconsin's Milwaukee suburban corridor — a vast region covering both the affluent Waukesha County exurbs and the Lake Michigan shoreline communities of Racine, Kenosha, and Sheboygan. Deploy an AI receptionist to capture inbound leads and handle high call volumes 24/7 without missing prospective clients.
Customer Trust FactorA local 262 number dramatically increases answer rates vs. unknown out-of-state numbers in a market where suburban community identity and local loyalty are strong drivers of consumer decisions
Dual Metro Market AccessThe 262 area code serves communities that are part of both the Milwaukee and Chicago metropolitan areas — giving a single 262 number effective reach into two of America's most commercially significant Midwestern markets simultaneously, bridging operations with Illinois's 331 area code.
Coverage AdvantageOne number covers 66 cities across 9 counties in southeastern Wisconsin, spanning from the Chicago border at Kenosha in the south through the Lake Geneva resort communities to the manufacturing and agricultural heartland of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan in the north
VoIP CompatibilityEasily available for SaaS platforms, call centers, and remote teams serving the southeastern Wisconsin market. Accurately calculate required staffing levels for your local support team with our Erlang C Staffing Calculator.
ScalabilityCovers roughly 6.16 million unique phone numbers — with relief not projected until 2044 at the earliest, ensuring exceptional long-term availability
Kohl's Corporate CorridorKohl's Department Stores is headquartered in Menomonee Falls within the 262 region — along with numerous other retail, distribution, and manufacturing headquarters, making the 262 corridor one of Wisconsin's most commercially dense suburban areas
Marketing UseIdeal for local SEO, digital ads, and customer outreach across Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, West Bend, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, New Berlin, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Lake Geneva, and surrounding communities. Generate trackable campaign links with our UTM Generator and analyze conversion efficiency using our Customer Acquisition Cost Calculator.
Startup FriendlyCost-effective entry point for retail technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics startups given the region's deep manufacturing heritage, proximity to both Milwaukee and Chicago, and the presence of major corporate headquarters. Plan sales goals with our Sales Growth Calculator and monitor deal cycle efficiency using our Pipeline Velocity Calculator.
Call Routing FlexibilityCan route calls globally while appearing local to southeastern Wisconsin customers — particularly valuable for manufacturing, retail, and distribution companies managing Midwest and national operations, similar to enterprise setups in Indiana's 317 area code and Michigan's 269 area code.
Top IndustriesRetail and distribution (Kohl's Department Stores headquarters), manufacturing (Generac Power Systems, Husco International, Snap-on Tools), healthcare (Froedtert Health, Children's Wisconsin, Aurora BayCare), tourism and recreation (Lake Geneva resort communities, Lambeau Field proximity), education (Carroll University, University of Wisconsin–Parkside, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), and agriculture benefit most from a local 262 presence
Use Case ExamplesAI receptionist, retail corporate support lines, manufacturing and industrial supplier support, healthcare practices and hospital network lines, resort and hospitality businesses (Lake Geneva), university admissions and affiliated services, distribution center logistics, real estate agencies, and local retail and professional services. Streamline direct mobile connections with our WhatsApp Link Generator and vCard QR Generator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is the 262 Area Code?

What area does the 262 area code cover?

The 262 area code serves southeastern Wisconsin in the United States. It covers cities and communities outside the Milwaukee metro area, including Waukesha, Kenosha, Racine, and West Bend.

When was the 262 area code created?

The 262 area code was introduced on September 25, 1999. It was split from the 414 area code due to the growing demand for phone numbers in southeastern Wisconsin.

Which major cities use the 262 area code?

Major cities in the 262 area code include Waukesha, Kenosha, Racine, Menomonee Falls, West Bend, Brookfield, and Mequon.

Is the 262 area code in Milwaukee?

The 262 area code surrounds Milwaukee but does not primarily include the city itself. Milwaukee mainly uses the 414 area code.

What time zone is the 262 area code in?

The 262 area code is located in the Central Time Zone (CT), following Central Standard Time (UTC−6) and Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) during daylight saving time.

Can I still get a phone number with the 262 area code?

Yes, 262 phone numbers are still available through many mobile carriers and VoIP providers, although availability may vary depending on the city and provider.

Is the 262 area code used for cell phones and landlines?

Yes, the 262 area code is used for both mobile phones and landline telephone services, as well as modern virtual PBX and cloud phone lines.

Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in 262?

7-digit local dialing is generally supported within the 262 NPA since there is no overlay, but 10-digit dialing is required for calls outside the area. Ensure numbers are properly formatted with our Phone Number Formatter.

What counties are included in the 262 area code?

The 262 area code covers parts of several counties, including Waukesha County, Racine County, Kenosha County, Washington County, Ozaukee County, Jefferson County, and Sheboygan County.

Is the 262 area code considered spam-prone?

Like any prominent area code, spam and robocalls may spoof 262 numbers, particularly retail impersonation scams exploiting local brands like Kohl's. You can verify suspicious incoming callers using our Phone Number Validator.

Can businesses use a 262 area code number?

Yes, many local businesses in southeastern Wisconsin use 262 numbers to establish a local presence and build trust with customers in the region. Pair your business number with an AI receptionist to automate call screening and booking.

How can I find out who owns a 262 phone number?

You can identify line types and carriers using our Phone Number Validator or use reverse lookup services to identify the owner of an unknown 262 number.

Is the 262 area code toll-free?

No, the 262 area code is a geographic area code and is not toll-free. Toll-free numbers in the U.S. typically use area codes like 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833.

What should I do if I receive suspicious calls from a 262 number?

If you receive suspicious calls, avoid sharing personal details, block the number, and report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the Wisconsin Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division.

Are there overlays for the 262 area code?

As of now, the 262 area code does not have an overlay code. It remains the sole geographic code for its service region in southeastern Wisconsin, with relief not expected until at least 2044.

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