Area codes 876 and 658 are the localtelephonearea codes of Jamaica. The first area code, 876, was created during a split from the original 809 area code. Permissive dialing began 1 May 1997 and ended 1 May 1998. Area code 876 serves the country’s two mobile operators – Cable & Wireless/Liberty Global and Digicel. Also served by area code 876 is the country's main landline provider, FLOW, as well as other smaller landline players like Digicel. The area code is not a toll-free number and calls from any other area code are billed at international long distance rates. Local calls within Jamaica were seven digits until 29 October 2018. After that, local calls now require 10 digits to be dialed. This accommodates the introduction of a new area code as the existing area code nears depletion. Calls outside Jamaica to the US and Canada are typically heavily discounted. FLOW Jamaica charges $2.99 JMD or $0.02 USD per minute for calls to all numbers in the USA and Canada as standard. The rate goes lower to $1.99 JMD or 1 cent USD for postpaid subscribers or those with an active data plan. Digicel charges similar rates as well but standard rates are around $17.70 JMD or $0.14 USD per minute without an international calling plan. Calls to Jamaica from anywhere in the NANP area are 1-658/876 + seven digit phone number. Jamaica expanded to 10-digit dialling, for local telephone calls on 30 October 2018. This is as a result of Jamaica's new area code assignment of 658.
Relief
On 15 September 2016, the Office of Utility Regulation in Jamaica announced that an all-services overlay, by area code 658, would be implemented in 2018 to provide relief as the 876 code is nearing exhaustion. Permissive 10-digit dialing was in effect from 31 May, becoming mandatory on 30 October 2018, and the new 658 code was activated on 30 November 2018.
Fraud
The 876 area code has been linked to a form of telephone fraud known as the "one ring scam". The person perpetuating the scam calls the victim via a robodialer or similar means, sometimes at odd hours of the night, then hangs up when the phone is answered with the hope that they will be curious enough to call the number back. When the victim does this, an automatic $19.95 international call fee is charged to their account, as well as $9/min thereafter. Similar scams have been linked to Grenada, Antigua, the Dominican Republic, and the British Virgin Islands.
