You’re probably looking at your phone right now, squinting at a missed call from a number starting with 938. It looks weird, doesn't it? If you grew up in Huntsville or Decatur, you’re used to the 256. That’s been the North Alabama staple for decades. But then 938 showed up, and suddenly everyone’s asking if it’s a scam or some long-distance trickery.
It’s not.
Basically, area code 938 is what the telecom industry calls an "overlay." It covers the exact same dirt, trees, and strip malls as the old 256. If you're in the Tennessee Valley, you're in 938 territory whether you like it or not.
The Day the 256 Ran Out of Room
Imagine a bucket. For years, the 256 area code was that bucket, holding every single phone number for the northern third of Alabama. But then everyone started carrying two cell phones. Then your grandma got an iPad with a cellular plan. Then every "smart" vending machine and home security system needed its own line.
The bucket overflowed.
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The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)—the folks who basically play God with our phone numbers—realized back in the late 2000s that the 256 was headed for "exhaustion." That’s a fancy way of saying they were fresh out of seven-digit combinations. To fix it, they had two choices. They could do a "split," which is messy because it forces half the region to change their phone numbers (and businesses to reprint every single business card). Or, they could do an overlay.
They chose the overlay. On July 10, 2010, area code 938 was officially born.
Where Exactly Does 938 Live?
If you’re standing anywhere that used to be exclusively 256, you’re now also in 938. We’re talking about a massive chunk of geography. It stretches from the Mississippi border all the way to Georgia, and from the Tennessee line down toward the Birmingham suburbs.
Huntsville is the big dog here. As the "Rocket City" keeps exploding with engineers and defense contractors moving in for Redstone Arsenal jobs, the demand for new lines is relentless. But it’s not just the city. You’ll find 938 numbers popping up in:
- Decatur and Athens: The river cities are seeing plenty of these new digits.
- Florence and Muscle Shoals: Even the Shoals, with all that musical history, couldn't escape the tech-driven need for more numbers.
- Anniston and Gadsden: Heading further south and east, the 938 is becoming just as common as the old-school 256.
- Cullman: Right there along the I-65 corridor.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating. You could have a house in Madison where the parents have 256 cell phone numbers they’ve kept since 1998, while the teenager gets a 938 number on their first iPhone. Same house, different codes.
The "Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing" Headache
When 938 arrived, it changed the way Alabamians use their phones forever. Before 2010, if you were calling your neighbor, you just dialed seven digits. Done.
Not anymore.
Because two different area codes now serve the same physical porch, your phone doesn't know which "bucket" you're trying to reach. To solve this, the FCC and state regulators made 10-digit dialing mandatory for everyone in North Alabama. Even if you’re calling someone across the street and you both have 256 numbers, you have to punch in the area code.
Some people hated it. It felt like an extra chore. But it’s the price of growth. If we want our smartwatches and connected cars to work, we need the extra "space" that 938 provides.
Is 938 a Scam? (The Short Answer: Usually No)
Because 938 is "the new kid," it sometimes gets a bad rap. Telemarketers and spoofers love using newer area codes because people are more likely to pick up out of curiosity. "Who do I know with a 938 number?" you think, and before you know it, you’re talking to someone about your car's extended warranty.
However, 938 is a legitimate, North American Numbering Plan area code. It isn't an international "one-ring" scam code like those 232 (Sierra Leone) or 876 (Jamaica) numbers that can drain your bank account. If you see 938, it’s probably just a new business in Huntsville or a neighbor who recently switched carriers.
That said, the usual rules of the road apply. If you don't recognize the full number, let it go to voicemail.
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The Technical Gory Details
If you’re a bit of a nerd about how this stuff works, the 938 code didn't just happen overnight. The Alabama Public Service Commission had to approve the plan years in advance. They looked at "rate centers"—basically the geographic hubs where calls are routed—and realized that places like the Huntsville rate center were gulping down numbers at an unsustainable pace.
What’s wild is that the 256 area code itself was actually a "new" thing back in 1998. Before that, the entire state was mostly 205. We went from one code for the whole state to needing an overlay for just the northern slice in just twelve years.
That tells you everything you need to know about the tech boom in Alabama.
What You Need to Do If You Have a 938 Number
If you just got assigned a 938 number, or you're moving to the area, there are a few practical things to keep in mind. Most of this is second nature now, but it's worth a quick check.
Update your contact lists. This is the big one. If you have old contacts saved with just seven digits, your phone might throw a fit when you try to call them. Make sure everyone has the full 10 digits.
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Check your "Call Forwarding" and "Security Systems." If you have an older office PBX system or a home alarm that dials out to a monitoring center, it might still be programmed for 7-digit dialing. Those systems will fail if they aren't updated to include the area code. It’s a small thing that becomes a huge disaster during an emergency.
Local isn't always "local." Even though 938 and 256 cover the same ground, check your plan if you're using a weird landline provider. Most modern cell plans don't care about "long distance" within the US, but some ancient landline packages might still charge you differently. It’s rare, but it happens.
The 938 area code is basically the signature of a growing region. It’s the sound of the Tennessee Valley getting bigger, faster, and more connected. It might not have the "legacy" feel of the 256, but give it another decade. Soon enough, we’ll probably be talking about adding a third code to the mix.
Take Action Today
- Audit your business presence: If you’re a business owner in North Alabama, ensure your website, Google Business Profile, and physical signage all display the full 10-digit number.
- Program your "ICE" contacts: Ensure your "In Case of Emergency" numbers in your smartphone include the area code to avoid any connection delays during a crisis.
- Verify your alarm system: Call your security provider to confirm your dialer is using 10-digit sequences for the local dispatch center.