Is 877 a toll-free number?

Is 877 a toll-free number?

Yes. The FCC lists 877 as a toll-free code alongside 800, 888, 866, 855, 844 and 833 ^[1]. Calls from US landlines are free for the caller ^[1]. Under FCC rules, carriers must prohibit any use of a toll-free number that would charge you for completing the call ^[5].

Why did 877 open in 1998?

Because 800 and 888 were filling up. The FCC opens a new toll-free code when the pool of free numbers is close to running out ^[6]. Somos says a number conservation plan was in force until 877 opened on 5 April 1998 ^[2]. The FCC gives 4 April 1998 ^[7], so I write April 1998.

The launch was not smooth. After 877 and 866 opened, RespOrgs reported that only firms with faster database access could reserve numbers during timeouts ^[7]. A RespOrg is the company that manages a toll-free number's record for its owner ^[8].

Is a 1-877 number the same as 1-800?

No. The seven digits after the code are a separate number in each code. Somos says the seven codes work the same way but are likely used by different subscribers ^[3]. If an ad says 1-877, dialing 1-800 with the same digits will probably ring a stranger. Copy the code exactly as printed.

Vanity numbers make this easy to miss: the letters stay the same, the code does not. Convert spelled numbers with the letters converter.

How do I dial 1-877 from the US and from abroad?

In the US, dial 1, 877 and the seven digits. From another country, dial your exit code, 1, then all ten digits ^[9]. India uses 00 and Australia uses 0011. Abroad, the call may not connect or may be billed as international ^[4]; the company's overseas number is the better first try.

On a US mobile, airtime counts unless the plan is unlimited ^[1]. From abroad, an internet app is the fallback. TwinPhone bills US$0.02 a minute to US toll-free numbers ^[10], and some lines that take only certain US states will not connect ^[11]. Details: calling an 877 line from outside the US. The ranking above and the main guide list other options. Never rely on an app for emergency calls; use a local phone ^[11].

Who is calling me from 877? Is it a scam?

Sometimes it is a real business, and sometimes the number is borrowed. The FTC says scammers can put any name or number on caller ID ^[12]. An 877 display is not proof of anything. Three checks help: what the caller wants, how they want to be paid, and whether the company confirms it.

• Asked for money or personal details? The FCC says hang up; a gift card request is a scam ^[13].
• Insisting on crypto or a wire transfer is the same signal ^[12].
• Call the company back on the number on its website or your statement ^[14].

Other toll-free prefixes

877 sits between 866 and 888 in number order. Each code has its own short page with dates and dialing strings. The toll-free prefixes overview compares them, including reserved codes. Background reading: what a toll-free number is and whether toll-free calls are free.

• Is 866 toll-free?The fourth toll-free code
• Is 888 toll-free?The second toll-free code
• All toll-free prefixesIn service and reserved codes