The 562 area code serves Long Beach and the southeastern suburbs of Los Angeles County. Created in 1997 when it split from 310, 562 covers the port city of Long Beach and a dense ring of communities along the Los Angeles–Orange County border.
Quick Summary of the 562 Area Code
| Area Code | 562 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Region | Long Beach & Southeast Los Angeles County |
| Major Cities | Long Beach, Whittier, Norwalk, Downey, Cerritos, Lakewood, Bellflower, Paramount |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) – PST / PDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 562 area code covers Long Beach and southeastern Los Angeles County, including Whittier, Norwalk, Downey, Cerritos, Lakewood, Bellflower, and Paramount. It sits between the 310 coastal Los Angeles code to the west, the 213/323 central Los Angeles codes to the north, and the 714 Orange County code to the southeast.
Time Zone
The 562 area code observes Pacific Time (PT) – PST / PDT. Clocks follow Pacific Standard Time (UTC−8) in winter and shift to Pacific Daylight Time (UTC−7) from mid-March through early November. All of this region is on Pacific Time. shares the same clock as the rest of California and the West Coast, so a 9:00 AM call from another California city reaches this number at 9:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 562 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 562 Number
Area code 562 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (562 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 562, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 562 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 562 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Long Beach, Whittier, Norwalk, Downey, Cerritos, Lakewood, Bellflower, Paramount should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Southern California Edison reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
| Package Delivery Scam | Texts about a “held package” linking to a phishing site to steal your details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 562 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the California Attorney General’s Office.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (Southern California Edison) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 562 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 562 Region
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Area code 562 was created in 1997, split from 310, to serve Long Beach and the southeast Los Angeles suburbs. The regional economy is anchored by the Port of Long Beach, which together with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles forms the busiest container-port complex in the Western Hemisphere and drives a massive shipping, logistics, and trade sector. Long Beach also has a strong aerospace heritage, a growing healthcare and higher-education presence led by California State University, Long Beach, and a revitalized downtown and waterfront anchored by attractions such as the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
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Looking Up a 562 Number
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To identify a 562 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many Long Beach-area businesses and government offices list their 562 numbers publicly, so a quick search often confirms a legitimate caller. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a detailed voicemail message, whereas robocallers and automated scam calls almost never bother to do so.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
California is served by several area codes. If you are researching 562, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 310 – Coastal & West Los Angeles
- 213 – Central Los Angeles
- 714 – Orange County
- 626 – San Gabriel Valley
You can also browse our full directory of California area codes for more regional guides.
↑ 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 California:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 562 area code located?
The 562 area code covers Long Beach and southeast Los Angeles County, including Whittier, Norwalk, Downey, Cerritos, Lakewood, Bellflower, and Paramount.
Does 562 have an overlay?
No. The 562 area code covers the Long Beach area on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 562?
Because 562 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 562 area code in?
The 562 area code observes Pacific Time (PST/PDT), like all of California.
Related 562 Guides
- Is a 562 call safe? Read Is area code 562 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Long Beach area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.