337 Area Code: Location, Time Zone, History, and Scams

Quick Facts About the 337 Area Code

What Is the 337 Area Code?

337 is an area code in Louisiana, USA. It's a service to a good portion of southwest Louisiana, including Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Opelousas and the surrounding area.

A 337 number typically indicates that the phone service, business or caller is located in southwest Louisiana. However, as with all area codes, it does not necessarily mean that the caller is physically in the region, since modern phone systems and VoIP services can throw up numbers from the area code regardless of their actual location.

Where Is Area Code 337 Located?

Area code 337 is in the southwestern part of Louisiana. It is found throughout much of Acadiana and near the Gulf Coast.

In the 337 area code, there are some key cities and towns that are important to note, including:

• Lafayette
• Lake Charles
• New Iberia
• Opelousas
• Sulphur
• Abbeville
• Crowley
• Jennings
• DeRidder
• Leesville
• Eunice
• Ville Platte
• Youngsville
• Broussard
• Breaux Bridge
• Carencro
• Westlake
• Moss Bluff

It is famous for its Cajun and Creole culture, cuisine, music, tourism, energy industry, medical services and universities.

What Time Zone Is the 337 Area Code In?

The area code 337 is in Central Time Zone.

The standard time is maintained as Central Standard Time (UTC -6). In DST, it is set to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5).

This is essential for companies, customer calls, appointment scheduling, and for remote teams. When calling a 337 number from another state or country, be aware of the Central Time difference before making a call.

Is 337 a Lafayette Area Code?

Yes, the area code 337 is a Lafayette area code due to the fact that Lafayette is one of the primary cities that is served by this area code.

But, 337 is not just for Lafayette. It also includes the cities of Lake Charles, New Iberia, Opelousas, Sulphur, Abbeville, Crowley, Jennings and numerous other cities in southwest Louisiana.

Therefore, when you see a number with the prefix 337, it could be a number from Lafayette, but it might also be from one of the other cities in nearby Louisiana.

History of the 337 Area Code

The 337 area code was established in 1999 as a split from area code 318.

Prior to the existence of 337, area code 318 was over a much larger region of Louisiana and included many communities in the southern portions of the state.

The need for telephone numbers increased and the number of available numbers started to dwindle because of:

• The growth rate of landline numbers in households.
• Businesses and government offices using fax machines.
• The growing popularity of mobile phones during the 1990s.
• Healthcare workers, emergency responders and professionals using pagers.
• Businesses, dial-up Internet connections and customer service requires additional phone lines.

To help alleviate the lack of available numbers, telecom regulators agreed to a geographic partition of the current 318 area code.

The new 337 area code was added to the southern part of the 318 service area, and northern and central Louisiana kept the 318 area code.

The communities in the southwest part of Louisiana were shifted to 337, and the region has a unique calling area.

The major cities and communities which were added to the 337 area code were:

• Lafayette
• Lake Charles
• New Iberia
• Opelousas
• Crowley
• Abbeville
• Jennings

Area code 337 was introduced for a number of reasons:

• Expanded the available number of phone numbers.
• Facilitated population expansion and business growth.
• Minimised risk of running out of numbers across the region.
• Permitted TSPs to keep offering new numbers to residential and business customers.
• Better long-term planning of telephone network infrastructure in Louisiana.

This made it possible for southwest Louisiana residents and businesses to get new telephone numbers without needing a change in area code statewide.

What Are the Overlay Codes for 337?

The 337 area code does not currently have an overlay area code.

An overlay is when another area code is overlaying the same geographic area. For instance, there are cities or regions that have two or more area codes. In the case of 337, it remains the main area code for its service area.

This is different from Louisiana’s 318 area code region, which now has 457 as an overlay. At the moment, the area code 337 is not an overlay area code.

Do You Need 10-Digit Dialing for 337?

Yes, dialing for local calls within 337 area code requires 10 digits.

This means that you are supposed to dial:

To make a call in the USA, you must dial 337 together with the 7-digit telephone number.

This is true even if the call is to another local 337 number. The change is tied to the rollout of the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number 988, which is being implemented across the nation. Some area codes started with 988, so 10-digit dialing was introduced to prevent confusion.

If the phone call is long-distance, your cell carrier might need:

1 + 337 + the 7-digit phone number

The best practice is to store all phone numbers in your contacts with the complete area code.

Is the 337 Area Code Legit or a Scam?

This area code 337 is a legitimate code. It is a true Louisiana area code that residents, businesses, schools, hospitals, service providers and government offices in southwestern Louisiana use.

But a call to a 337 number is not necessarily safe. Scammers are able to alter the area code of local numbers to make a call appear local. This could make it look like the call is from Lafayette, Lake Charles, or another 337 area when actually it is not.

Thus, the area code is legitimate, but it's also best to remain cautious in case of unknown callers.

Some of the most common warning signs for a 337 scam are as follows:

Common 337 Scam Warning Signs

Be careful if a 337 number calls you and:

• Requests your Social Security number, banking information, card number or one-time passcode number
• States that one has to pay right now or he/she will be arrested, fined, or their account will be closed
• Asks for payment with gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or payment apps
• Represents itself as your bank, but asks to “confirm” personal details
• Impersonates a utility company and threatens to disconnect their service in the next few hours
• Offers a prize, refund, loan or job that seems too good to be true
• Urges you to make a swift decision and not consult others
• Does not offer a clear company name, callback number or official website

A genuine organization won't pressurize you to wire money or private information right over the phone.

Common Scams Linked With Spoofed 337 Numbers

The 337 area code doesn't cause scams, but scammers might try to spoof 337 numbers to look local. Common examples include:

1. Utility Disconnection Scams

The caller may say that they are cutting off your electricity, water or gas service if you don't pay them right away. They can request prepaid cards, payment apps, or bank information.

2. Bank Fraud Alert Scams

The caller might be posing as your bank and stating that there's some suspicious activity on your account. They might request your PIN, password, card number or verification code.

3. Government or Police Impersonation Scams

Scammers impersonate law enforcement, IRS, Social Security or other agencies. They will threaten arrest or legal action if you don't pay.

4. Fake Job Offer Scams

The caller or message sender might be promising employment overseas, fast hire or quick cash. They might request personal information, banking information, or an upfront payment for training or equipment.

5. Medical or Insurance Scams

The scams can involve fake Medicare benefits, healthcare plans, medical devices, or insurance refunds and can be directed to seniors.

6. Delivery / Package Scams

The scammer may state issues with your package and require you to click on a link, pay a tiny fee, or confirm personal information.

Benefits of a 337 Area Code Number

A 337 area code number is a helpful area code for businesses and professionals seeking a local presence in southwestern Louisiana.

Some benefits include:

• Establishes rapport with customers in Lafayette, Lake Charles and surrounding areas
• Gives the business a "local" and more contactable image
• Assists customers to identify the number as regional
• For service businesses, clinics, real estate agents, contractors, restaurants and local stores.
• Can boost call response rates as opposed to out-of-state numbers that are not known to them
• Promotes local marketing of Acadiana and southwest Louisiana businesses

For instance, a Lafayette plumbing company or a health care clinic in Lake Charles might be better known to their area customers if they had a 337 number.

337 Area Code and Local SEO

When you're able to match a 337 phone number with the area where you're operating and offering your services to, then you're able to use it for local SEO.

Consistency is a key part of local SEO. Your Business Name, Address and Phone Number should be consistent on your website, Google Business Profile, directories, citations and social profiles.

If your business is aimed at customers in:

• Lafayette
• Lake Charles
• New Iberia
• Opelousas
• Sulphur
• Abbeville
• Crowley
• Jennings
• DeRidder
• Local southwest Louisiana regions

But the area code alone will not be responsible for ranking your website. It is most effective when paired with a robust Google Business Profile, local landing pages, customer reviews, citations and useful location-based content.

Can You Get a New 337 Number Today?

Yes, you can still obtain a 337 from a phone carrier, a VoIP provider or a business phone service in many cases.

This is dependent on provider and city/rated code desired. Although some number combinations may not be available, many providers are able to provide local 337 numbers.

You can find 337 numbers for business by asking mobile carriers, landline providers, VoIP providers or virtual phone number providers. If your customers are primarily in Lafayette, Lake Charles or southwest Louisiana, a local 337 number might be particularly helpful.

Final Thoughts

337 area code is a genuine and vital Louisiana area code. It is deeply intertwined with the communities of Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Opelousas and so many others living in Acadiana and the Gulf Coast region.

While it is not a scam area code, scammers can spoof numbers in this area code to appear local. If you get a call from a 337 number that you didn't expect, be wary about giving personal details or making any payments.

When used properly, a 337 number can contribute to establishing trust among local consumers, facilitate communication with customers, and enhance local SEO for businesses. The basic points to remember for residents and callers are: 337 is a valid Louisiana area code and 10-digit dialing is required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 337 Area Code

Why am I getting calls from the 337 area code?

Receiving calls from the 337 area code may be due to a call coming from southwest Louisiana, such as Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Opelousas, or Sulphur. It may be a spam or spoofed call, however. The bad guys have been known to use local numbers, to encourage people to answer.

Is the 337 area code a scam?

No, area code 337 is not a scam. It is indeed a Louisiana area code. The issue is that fraudsters can spoof 337 numbers and cause a call to appear to be from a local individual or company.

Why do I keep getting calls from similar 337 numbers?

If you continue to receive calls from area codes beginning with 337, there is a possibility that they are spam calls utilizing number spoofing. Frequently scammers switch to alternate numbers that are similar, which means that if you block one phone, you won't block all the others.

Can a scammer use a fake 337 number?

Yes. A scammer can display a 337 number on caller ID, even if he or she isn't calling from Louisiana. This is known as calling ID spoofing. Therefore, do not believe a number just because it is seemingly local.

What should I do if a 337 number keeps calling me?

Ignore repeat unknown calls. Allow the call to go to voicemail. For important reasons, the caller will normally leave a message. Additionally, you can block the number, mark it as spam and don't call back numbers that are unfamiliar and likely suspicious.

Is 337 the area code for Lake Charles?

Yes, the 337 area code is one of the major cities that it serves. But 337 also encompasses numerous other regions of southwestern Louisiana such as Lafayette, New Iberia, Opelousas, Sulphur, Abbeville, Crowley and environs.

Is 337 the area code for Lafayette?

Yes, Lafayette is a major city in the 337 area code. While 337 is synonymous with Lafayette and Acadiana, it is not just Lafayette.

Why did I get a scam text from a 337 number?

A SMS spam message from a 337 number might be attempting to appear more convincing using a local number. These texts can be from banks, prizes, deliveries, unpaid tolls, or bank alerts. Avoid clicking on links or entering personal information in the message until you can confirm the message from a legitimate source.

Are toll text messages from 337 numbers real?

Be careful. In numerous states, there are toll scam texts. If you receive a message informing you that you have an outstanding debt and it contains a suspicious link, don't click it. Please visit the official website of the toll agency and contact the toll agency with a valid phone number.

Should I call back an unknown 337 number?

Unless the caller is known or you can hear their clear message on the voice mail, do not call back the callback numbers that are unknown. If the number is from a real business, look up the business and contact the number they have on their official website.

Can a real local business have a 337 number?

Yes. A number of true businesses, clinics, contractors, schools, government offices as well as service providers in the southwest make use of 337 numbers. A 337 number may be legitimate, but it's not impossible to check the caller first – before giving out any private information.

How can I tell if a 337 call is fake?

If a caller urges you to act quickly, asks you to purchase gift cards or payment apps, asks for your bank information or one-time code, says they are calling to arrest you or won't provide a clear company name, it may be a 337 call. Real businesses generally don't require quick payments via unusual means.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for 337 numbers?

Yes. To make local calls in the 337 area code, dial the area code and the 7-digit local phone number. That translates to 10-digit phone numbers even for local calls.

Why does 337 require 10-digit dialing?

The 337 area code is switching to 10-digit dialing due to nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline changes. Some area codes used to have a prefix of 988 therefore the implementation of 10 digit dialing was required to prevent dialing conflicts.

Can I still get a new 337 area code number?

Yes, in many instances it is still possible to obtain a 337 number via a phone carrier, VoIP provider, or business phone service. Not all providers provide them, and not all of the city/number prefixes are available.

Is a 337 number good for a local business?

Yes. By using a 337 number, a company can appear to be local in the south western Louisiana region. It may be helpful for companies that serve patrons in Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Opelousas, Sulphur and surrounding areas.

Is it safe to answer calls from 337 numbers?

It's ok if the person who calls you is someone you know. If it's a call you were not expecting, however, be careful. Never give out passwords, payment information, SSNs, banking information, or verification codes over the phone.

What is the safest way to verify a 337 caller?

Hang up and call the company or agency directly via a legitimate website, bill, app, or phone number. Avoid the use of a number or link from the suspicious caller.