The 248 area code serves Oakland County, Michigan, the affluent suburban county north of Detroit. Created in 1997 in a split from the 810 code, it is now overlaid by area code 947. If a 248 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 248 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 248 |
| State | Michigan (MI) |
| Major Cities | Troy, Southfield, Pontiac, Farmington Hills |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 947 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 248 covers Oakland County, Michigan, directly north of Detroit. It is one of the most populous and prosperous counties in the state.
- Troy & Southfield – major business and office centers
- Pontiac – the county seat
- Farmington Hills & Novi – large western Oakland suburbs
- Royal Oak & Rochester Hills – established communities
From corporate campuses to leafy suburbs, a 248 number is closely tied to the identity of Oakland County.
A Brief History of Area Code 248
Area code 248 was created in 1997 in a split from the 810 code, giving Oakland County its own dedicated code as the Detroit suburbs grew. The 947 overlay was added over the same county in 2002, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 248 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 248
Because 248 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 248-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-248-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 248 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 248 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 248 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 248 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 248 is a legitimate Michigan area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 248, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake DTE Energy disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 248 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in Michigan
Area code 248 shares and borders several other Michigan codes:
- 947 – the overlay that shares Oakland County with 248 (see our 947 area code guide)
- 313 – the city of Detroit to the south (see our 313 area code guide)
- 586 – Macomb County to the east (see our 586 area code guide)
- 734 – western Wayne County and Ann Arbor to the southwest (see our 734 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Michigan area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Michigan:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 248
Where is the 248 area code located?
Area code 248 covers Oakland County, Michigan, including Troy, Southfield, Pontiac, and Farmington Hills. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 947.
What is the difference between 248 and 947?
There is no geographic difference. 947 is an overlay covering the exact same Oakland County territory as 248; it was added in 2002 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 248 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 248 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout Oakland County.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 248 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 248 Guides
- Is a 248 call safe? Read Is area code 248 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Troy area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.