380 Area Code: Quick Overview, Location, Map, Scams
12 min read
What is the 380 Area Code? Time Zone and Location
- Area code 380 serves Columbus, OH, and the surrounding areas — it is an overlay for area code 614 and serves the same area.
- Combined with overlay 614, it covers 13 cities across 5 counties in central Ohio, serving a population of 1,799,215.
- The 380 area code covers Franklin County and portions of surrounding counties in central Ohio, including Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties — with major cities and communities including Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Gahanna, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Hilliard, Worthington, Whitehall, Bexley, Grandview Heights, and Pickerington.
- The 380 area code region observes Eastern Time (ET) — following Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5) during standard time and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4) during daylight saving time from March through November.
- Area code 380 was put into service on February 27, 2016, and was the 386th area code in service — one of 7 area codes introduced in 2016 — created to relieve the pressure on the 614 area code as numbers in 614 were being exhausted by Columbus's extraordinary and sustained population growth.
- 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls within the 614/380 overlay complex. Format numbers easily using our Phone Number Formatter.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 380 |
| Country | United States |
| State / Region | Ohio (Columbus metropolitan area — central Ohio) |
| Area Code Type | Overlay area code (shares region with area code 614) |
| Overlay Codes | 614 |
| Major Cities Covered | Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Gahanna, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Hilliard, Worthington, Whitehall, Bexley, Grandview Heights, Pickerington, Powell, Canal Winchester, Groveport, New Albany, Sunbury, Delaware, London |
| Primary City Association | Columbus, Ohio (state capital and largest city in Ohio) |
| Geographic Coverage | 13 cities across 5 counties in central Ohio, including Franklin, Delaware, Madison, Fairfield, and Pickaway counties — the core Columbus metropolitan statistical area |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
| Standard Time Offset | UTC −5 hours |
| Daylight Saving Time | UTC −4 hours (EDT) |
| DST Period (2026 Example) | March → November |
| Introduced / Activation Date | February 27, 2016 — the 386th area code in service and the 12th area code in Ohio |
| Reason for Creation | Area code 614 was running out of numbers, so the 380 'overlay' was introduced as an additional area code to serve the same geographic region — allowing new Columbus-area phone numbers to be assigned a 380 prefix while all existing 614 numbers remained unchanged |
| Dialing Requirement | 10-digit dialing mandatory (due to 614/380 overlay complex) |
| Coverage Nature | Overlay complex — 380 and 614 share the same Columbus metropolitan geography |
| Population Coverage | Combined with overlay 614, serves a population of 1,799,215 across the Columbus metropolitan area |
| Nearby / Related Area Codes | Bordered by 419/567 (Toledo/Lima) to the northwest, 234/330 (Akron) and 440 Area Code (Cleveland suburbs) to the northeast, 740 (southeastern Ohio) to the southeast, and 513/937 (Cincinnati/Dayton) to the southwest. See also midwestern guides like the 331 Area Code and 405 Area Code. |
| Telecom System | North American Numbering Plan (NANP) |
| Major Carriers | Onvoy holds 27% of 380 prefixes, followed by Teleport Communications America (9%), AT&T Mobility (6%), Fractel (6%), and Multiple OCN Listing (6%) — with 89% of active prefixes assigned to landlines and 11% to wireless |
| Example Phone Format | (380) XXX-XXXX |
| Usage Type | Mobile, landline, and VoIP numbers — with 380 numbers primarily being assigned to new landline and VoIP accounts since 2016 |
| Business Use | Increasingly valuable for local presence in Columbus, one of the fastest-growing major cities in the Midwest and the 14th largest city in the United States |
| Number Availability | Currently uses 133 prefixes, assigned from 380-200-XXXX through 380-999-XXXX — significantly lower utilization than parent code 614, ensuring strong long-term number availability |
| Area Code Status | Active and growing — as new Columbus-area numbers are issued, they are increasingly assigned the 380 prefix |
| Common Legitimate Callers | Ohio State University staff, Nationwide Insurance agents, Chase Bank support, and Ohio state government officials are among the most recognized legitimate callers from the 380/614 Columbus overlay complex |
| Economic Profile | Columbus is home to Ohio State University (one of the largest universities in the US), Nationwide Insurance, L Brands, Big Lots, and Cardinal Health, with a diverse economy spanning education, insurance, retail, healthcare, and technology, making it one of the most economically resilient cities in the Midwest |
Is the 380 Area Code a Scam?
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Spam Ranking | Ranked #305 for spam complaints nationally, accounting for approximately 0.0851% of all spam complaints — reflecting 380's status as a newer overlay with lower total call volume than the established 614 parent code |
| Most Common Complaint Type | Prerecorded voice complaints make up 40.66% of total reports — the dominant complaint type for area code 380 |
| Top Reported Cities for Complaints | Columbus, OH leads with 12.01% of complaints, followed by Dublin, OH (3.07%), Cincinnati, OH (1.31%), Dayton, OH (1.01%), and Amherst, OH (1.01%) |
| Peak Complaint Period | January 2026 saw the highest volume of complaints for area code 380, with May 2026 showing a 100% increase compared to April 2026 |
| Spam Growth | Spam calls in Ohio increased by 331.81% over the past year — one of the sharpest statewide increases in the country — with the highest volume recorded in August 2025, accounting for 12.66% of all calls, and prerecorded voice calls accounting for 40.77% of all reported Ohio calls |
| Ohio Statewide Fraud Context | In 2024, Ohio residents filed 99,873 unwanted call complaints with the FTC — ranking Ohio #2 nationally for complaints per 100,000 population — with medical and prescription scams leading at 10,334 complaints, followed by impostors (4,714) and reducing debt (2,401) |
| Common Labels | Fake 'Department of Tax Debt and Financial Settlement Services,' fake 'motion being filed' legal threat, phantom outgoing call log hijacker, AEP Ohio utility disconnection fraudster, Google Business verification fee scammer |
| Spoofing Risk | Scammers frequently spoof Ohio (Columbus, Dublin, Westerville) phone numbers to trick recipients into answering — if you live in or near Ohio or have a 380 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call. Verify suspicious incoming numbers with our Phone Number Validator. |
| Typical Strategy | Neighbor spoofing — appearing as a familiar Columbus, Dublin, or Westerville number to build trust before making fake tax debt, legal threat, or utility disconnection demands |
| Signature Scam — Fake 'Department of Tax Debt' American Rescue Plan Fraud | Scammers leave voicemails claiming to be from a 'Department of Tax Debt and Financial Settlement Services' — using names like 'Mary Fletcher,' 'Alia Smith,' or 'Delia Smith' along with a fake state ID number 'FF694,' falsely claiming a 'new tax debt compromise program' under the 'American Rescue Plan' can eliminate your tax debt but only if you enroll immediately, creating false urgency by stating the program is 'only open for a limited time' |
| Signature Scam — Vague 'Motion Being Filed' Legal Threat Robocall | An automated message threatens vague legal trouble without naming you, the caller, or any specific case — warning that a 'motion is being filed bearing your name' or that if you disregard the message, 'the situation will unfold on you,' demanding you press 1 to speak with a fake 'case manager' who then collects personal information and money for fake legal problems |
| Signature Scam — Phantom Outgoing Call Log Hijacking | Many central Ohio residents are discovering outgoing calls and texts in their phone logs to 380-222-3333 that they never made — some users report this number was even set as their phone's voicemail number without permission, indicating a malicious app or compromised phone account routing unauthorized calls and potentially running up charges on the victim's bill |
| Signature Scam — AEP Ohio Utility Disconnection | AEP Ohio has specifically alerted Columbus-area customers about scammers calling and claiming to represent AEP — threatening to cut off electricity service immediately if money is not paid by credit card or other means, with AEP explicitly confirming it never calls to ask for personal information, banking information, or credit/debit card payments |
| Signature Scam — Google Business Verification Fee Fraud | The 380 area code is specifically targeted by Google Business listing verification fee scams — callers claim business listings will be removed or penalized unless an 'annual verification fee' is paid or Google account credentials are shared, targeting Columbus's dense concentration of small businesses and startups |
| Reporting Authority | Report suspicious calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the Ohio AG at ohioattorneygeneral.gov; for AEP Ohio scams, call AEP directly at 1-800-672-2231; if your voicemail has been hijacked, contact your carrier immediately |
| Key Risk Indicator | Voicemails from 'Department of Tax Debt' with fake state ID numbers referencing the American Rescue Plan, robocalls about vague 'motions being filed' that demand you press 1, unexplained outgoing calls to 380-222-3333 in your phone log, AEP Ohio calls threatening immediate power shutoff, or Google Business callers demanding verification fees |
| Safety Tip | AEP Ohio will never call demanding immediate credit card payment to avoid disconnection — they send multiple written notices and offer payment plans. If you find calls to 380-222-3333 in your log that you never made, immediately check your voicemail settings, contact your carrier to report account compromise, and factory reset your phone after scanning for malicious apps. Create safe greetings using our Voicemail Greeting Generator. |
What Are the Business Benefits of the 380 Area Code?
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Local Presence | A 380 number establishes immediate local credibility in Columbus, Ohio's state capital, the 14th largest city in the United States, and one of the fastest-growing major metros in the Midwest — home to Ohio State University, Nationwide Insurance, and a thriving technology and startup ecosystem. Connect an AI receptionist to capture inbound customer calls around the clock. |
| Customer Trust Factor | A local Columbus 380 number dramatically increases answer rates vs. unknown out-of-state numbers in a rapidly growing market where new residents and businesses actively seek recognizable local service providers |
| Coverage Advantage | One number covers 13 cities across 5 counties in the Columbus metro area, reaching the full breadth of Franklin County's urban core and the surrounding suburban communities of Dublin, Westerville, Gahanna, Grove City, Hilliard, and Reynoldsburg |
| Fresh Number Availability | As the newer overlay code, 380 numbers are increasingly seen as modern Columbus-area numbers — particularly prevalent among new business VoIP lines and tech company registrations, giving them a contemporary professional identity |
| VoIP Compatibility | Easily available for SaaS platforms, cloud PBX solutions, and remote support teams serving the Columbus market. Plan staffing requirements with our Erlang C Staffing Calculator. |
| Scalability | Covers roughly 1.33 million unique phone numbers — with significantly lower prefix utilization than parent code 614, ensuring strong long-term availability as Columbus continues its extraordinary growth trajectory |
| Marketing Use | Ideal for local SEO, digital campaigns, and customer outreach across Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Gahanna, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Hilliard, Worthington, Bexley, and surrounding communities. Evaluate customer acquisition efficiency with our Customer Acquisition Cost Calculator. |
| Startup Friendly | Highly attractive for technology, insurance tech, healthcare IT, and retail tech startups, given Columbus's growing innovation ecosystem, the Ohio State University research infrastructure, and the city's rapidly expanding venture capital community. Forecast expansion targets with our Sales Growth Calculator. |
| Call Routing Flexibility | Can route calls globally while appearing local to Columbus customers — particularly valuable for insurance, healthcare, and financial services companies managing national operations from Columbus |
| Top Industries | Insurance and financial services (Nationwide Insurance, State Auto Insurance, Safelite AutoGlass), retail and consumer goods (L Brands/Victoria's Secret, Big Lots, Abercrombie & Fitch), healthcare (OhioHealth, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital), technology, higher education (Ohio State University — one of the largest in the US), government services, and logistics all benefit most from a local 380 presence |
| Use Case Examples | AI receptionist, insurance and financial services support lines, healthcare practice and hospital network lines, retail corporate support, university admissions and affiliated research services, technology startup hotlines, state government agency lines, logistics and distribution center dispatch, real estate agencies (one of the Midwest's hottest markets), and local retail and hospitality businesses |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is the 380 Area Code?
What is the 380 area code?
The 380 area code is a telephone area code in Ohio, United States. It serves the same central Ohio region as the 614 area code.
Where is the 380 area code located?
The 380 area code is located in central Ohio. It mainly serves Columbus and nearby communities in Franklin, Delaware, Madison, Fairfield, and Pickaway counties.
Which cities use the 380 area code?
The 380 area code is commonly used in Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Hilliard, Worthington, Bexley, and nearby areas.
Is 380 a Columbus area code?
Yes, 380 is an official Columbus area code. It is used throughout the Columbus metropolitan area alongside the 614 area code.
What time zone is the 380 area code in?
The 380 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This area observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4) during Daylight Saving Time.
Is the 380 area code a scam?
No, the 380 area code itself is not a scam. It is an authentic North American Numbering Plan area code for Ohio. However, scammers can spoof any area code, including 380, to make calls look local. Be careful with unknown callers asking for personal, banking, or verification information, and verify numbers with our Phone Number Validator.
Is 380 a toll-free area code?
No, 380 is not a toll-free area code. Toll-free area codes include 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for a 380 number?
Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for local calls in the 380 and 614 area code region. This requires dialing the 3-digit area code followed by the 7-digit local phone number.
What area code overlays 380?
The 380 area code overlays the 614 area code. Both area codes serve the same general region in central Ohio.
When was the 380 area code created?
The 380 area code was introduced as an overlay for the 614 area code on February 27, 2016 to relieve number exhaustion caused by rapid growth in Columbus.
Can I get a business phone number with the 380 area code?
Yes, many VoIP and telecom service providers offer 380 numbers for businesses. A 380 number establishes a modern local presence in Columbus and central Ohio.
Is a 380 number good for local businesses?
Yes, a 380 number is great for businesses targeting customers in Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Grove City, Hilliard, and nearby communities. It gives the business a local identity and builds customer trust.
Can I keep my 380 number if I move?
In many cases, yes. Mobile and VoIP numbers can usually be kept even if you move to another city or state, depending on your phone carrier and service type.
Why am I getting calls from a 380 number?
A call from a 380 number may come from a local resident, university office (such as Ohio State University), healthcare facility, utility company, or business in the Columbus area. If you do not recognize the number, let it go to voicemail and verify the caller before responding.
What should I do if I get spam calls from a 380 number?
If you receive spam calls from a 380 number, do not share personal information. Block the number, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and deploy an AI receptionist to screen unwanted automated robocalls.
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