The 862 area code is an overlay serving Newark and northern New Jersey, layered over the 973 code across Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties. Introduced in 2001 to supply new phone numbers, 862 covers the exact same territory as 973. If an 862 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 862 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 862 |
| State | New Jersey (NJ) |
| Major Cities | Newark, Paterson, Clifton, Montclair |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 973 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 862 covers north-central New Jersey, including Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 973 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
- Newark – the largest city in New Jersey
- Paterson & Clifton – major Passaic County cities
- Montclair & Bloomfield – established Essex County suburbs
- Morristown & Wayne – Morris and Passaic County communities
As the newer code over northern New Jersey, 862 numbers are common among lines set up after the original 973 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 862
Area code 862 was activated in 2001 as an all-services overlay on the 973 region. The 973 code itself split from 201 in 1997. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 973 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either code, under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 862 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 862
Because 862 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 – 862-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-862-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 862 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 862 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 862 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 862 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 862 is a legitimate New Jersey area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 862, 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 PSE&G disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 862 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 New Jersey
Area code 862 shares and borders several other New Jersey codes:
- 973 – the original northern New Jersey code that 862 overlays (see our 973 area code guide)
- 201 & 551 – Hudson and Bergen counties to the east (see our 201 area code guide)
- 908 – central-northern New Jersey to the south (see our 908 area code guide)
- 732 & 848 – central New Jersey and the shore to the southeast (see our 732 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our New Jersey 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 New Jersey:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 862
Where is the 862 area code located?
Area code 862 covers Newark and northern New Jersey, including Paterson, Clifton, and Morristown, as an overlay of the 973 code. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 862 and 973?
There is no geographic difference. 862 overlays the exact same northern-NJ territory as 973; it was added in 2001 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 862 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 862 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout northern New Jersey.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 862 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 862 Guides
- Is a 862 call safe? Read Is area code 862 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.