The 708 area code serves the southern and near-west suburbs of Chicago in Cook County. The first suburban Chicago code, created in 1989 in a split from 312, it is now overlaid by area code 464. If a 708 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 708 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 708 |
| State | Illinois (IL) |
| Major Cities | Cicero, Oak Lawn, Berwyn, Tinley Park |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 464 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 708 covers the southern and near-west suburbs of Chicago in Cook County, forming a band around the southern and western edges of the city.
- Cicero & Berwyn – dense near-west suburbs bordering the city
- Oak Park – a historic community just west of Chicago
- Oak Lawn & Orland Park – major southwest suburbs
- Tinley Park & Cicero – established south suburban communities
From working-class inner suburbs to sprawling southwest communities, a 708 number is closely tied to the identity of Chicago’s south and near-west suburbs.
A Brief History of Area Code 708
Area code 708 was created in 1989 as the first suburban Chicago code, splitting the suburbs off from the city’s 312. In 1996, the northern suburbs (847) and western suburbs (630) split away, leaving 708 with the southern and near-west suburbs. The 464 overlay was added in 2023, and 10-digit dialing is mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 708 area code use Central Time (CT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 708
Because 708 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 – 708-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-708-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 708 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 708 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 708 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 708 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 708 is a legitimate Illinois area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 708, 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 ComEd or Nicor Gas disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 708 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 Illinois
Area code 708 shares and borders several other Illinois codes:
- 464 – the overlay that shares the south suburbs with 708 (see our 464 area code guide)
- 312, 773 & 872 – the City of Chicago to the north (see our 312 area code guide)
- 630 & 331 – the western suburbs (see our 630 area code guide)
- 815 & 779 – northern Illinois beyond the metro (see our 815 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Illinois 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 Illinois:
- Wisconsin – area code 414
- Iowa – area code 515
- Missouri – area code 314
- Kentucky – area code 502
- Indiana – area code 317
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 708
Where is the 708 area code located?
Area code 708 covers the southern and near-west suburbs of Chicago in Cook County, including Cicero, Oak Lawn, Berwyn, and Tinley Park. It operates on Central Time and is overlaid by area code 464.
What is the difference between 708 and 464?
There is no geographic difference. 464 is an overlay covering the exact same south-suburban territory as 708; it was added in 2023 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 708 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 708 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the south suburbs.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 708 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 708 Guides
- Is a 708 call safe? Read Is area code 708 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Chicago area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.