The 508 area code serves central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, New Bedford, Fall River, and Cape Cod. Created in 1988 in a split from Boston’s 617 code, it is now overlaid by area code 774. If a 508 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 508 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 508 |
| State | Massachusetts (MA) |
| Major Cities | Worcester, New Bedford, Fall River, Framingham |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 774 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 508 covers a broad swath of central and southeastern Massachusetts, from Worcester in the center to the South Coast and Cape Cod, including Worcester, Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties.
- Worcester – the second-largest city in New England
- New Bedford & Fall River – historic South Coast cities
- Framingham & Marlborough – MetroWest communities
- Cape Cod – the seaside towns of Barnstable, Falmouth, and Hyannis
From the college city of Worcester to the beaches of Cape Cod, a 508 number is closely tied to the identity of central and southeastern Massachusetts.
A Brief History of Area Code 508
Area code 508 was created in 1988 in a split from the 617 code, taking central and southeastern Massachusetts. In 1997, the northeastern counties split off into the 978 code. The 774 overlay was added over the 508 region in 2001, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 508 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 508
Because 508 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 – 508-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-508-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 508 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 508 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 508 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 508 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 508 is a legitimate Massachusetts area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 508, 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 Eversource or National Grid disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 508 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 Massachusetts
Area code 508 shares and borders several other Massachusetts codes:
- 774 – the overlay that shares central and southeastern Massachusetts with 508 (see our 774 area code guide)
- 617 & 857 – Boston and Cambridge to the northeast (see our 617 area code guide)
- 781 & 339 – the inner Boston suburbs (see our 781 area code guide)
- 978 & 351 – the Merrimack Valley to the north, split from 508 (see our 978 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts:
- New Hampshire – area code 603
- Vermont – area code 802
- New York – area code 212
- Connecticut – area code 203
- Rhode Island – area code 401
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 508
Where is the 508 area code located?
Area code 508 covers central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, New Bedford, Fall River, Framingham, and Cape Cod. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 774.
What is the difference between 508 and 774?
There is no geographic difference. 774 is an overlay covering the exact same central and southeastern Massachusetts territory as 508; it was added in 2001 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 508 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 508 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout central and southeastern Massachusetts.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 508 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 508 Guides
- Is a 508 call safe? Read Is area code 508 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Worcester area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.