The 706 area code serves northern, eastern, and western Georgia outside metro Atlanta, covering Augusta, Columbus, Athens, and Rome. Created in 1992 in a split from Atlanta’s 404 code, it is now overlaid by area code 762. If a 706 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 706 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 706 |
| State | Georgia (GA) |
| Major Cities | Augusta, Columbus, Athens, Rome |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 762 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 706 wraps around metro Atlanta, covering a broad arc of Georgia from the Augusta area in the east, across the north Georgia mountains, to Columbus in the west. It includes Richmond, Muscogee, Clarke, Floyd, and Whitfield counties.
- Augusta – home of the Masters golf tournament, on the Savannah River
- Columbus – a Chattahoochee River city, home to Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning)
- Athens – home of the University of Georgia
- Rome, Dalton & LaGrange – north and west Georgia communities
From a Big college town to a major military post and the north Georgia mountains, a 706 number reflects the diverse character of Georgia outside the Atlanta metro.
A Brief History of Area Code 706
Area code 706 was created in 1992 in a split from the 404 code, taking the northern, eastern, and western parts of Georgia outside Atlanta. The 762 overlay was added over the same region in 2006, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 706 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 706
Because 706 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 – 706-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-706-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 706 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 706 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 706 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 706 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 706 is a legitimate Georgia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 706, 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 & military impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS, SSA, or VA targeting the Fort Moore community |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Student & scholarship scams | Fake tuition or financial-aid calls targeting University of Georgia students |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Georgia Power disconnection demands |
How to report, block, and look up 706 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 Georgia
Area code 706 shares and borders several other Georgia codes:
- 762 – the overlay that shares north Georgia with 706 (see our 762 area code guide)
- 404, 770, 678, 470 & 943 – metro Atlanta to the center (see our 404 area code guide)
- 478 – central Georgia and Macon to the south (see our 478 area code guide)
- 229 – south Georgia to the south (see our 229 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Georgia 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 Georgia:
- Florida – area code 305
- Alabama – area code 205
- Tennessee – area code 615
- North Carolina – area code 704
- South Carolina – area code 803
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 706
Where is the 706 area code located?
Area code 706 covers northern, eastern, and western Georgia outside Atlanta, including Augusta, Columbus, Athens, and Rome. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 762.
What is the difference between 706 and 762?
There is no geographic difference. 762 is an overlay covering the exact same territory as 706; it was added in 2006 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 706 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 706 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout north, east, and west Georgia.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 706 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 706 Guides
- Is a 706 call safe? Read Is area code 706 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Augusta area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.