On July 16, 2020, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to establish 988 as the nationwide easy-to-remember phone number for the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Counselors. To ensure that calls to 988 reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, areas that use 988 as the first three digits in a seven-digit phone number will be required to dial all 10 digits for a local call, beginning October 24, 2021.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
If you make a local call and leave off the area code, a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. You must hang up and dial again using the area code and the 7-digit number.
You will need to make sure that numbers in your contact list (for example cell phone) include the area code for local numbers.
If you have call forwarding set to a local number, include the area code.
Check your email signature, business cards, website, flyers, social media, stationery, and other printed material to ensure you include the area code.
Check any other equipment or services that may dial out, such as fax machines, alarm and security systems, elevators, or monitoring devices.
Visit the website Nationalnanpa.com for additional information.