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

Quick Facts About the 705 Area Code

What Is the 705 Area Code?

705 is an area code in Canada for the province of Ontario. Its primary service area is in central and northeastern Ontario, and includes large cities, smaller cities and towns, cottage areas, and rural communities.

Phone numbers beginning with 705 are typically local (Ontario), but do not necessarily indicate that the caller is located in Ontario. Today, phone numbers can be dialed using mobile phones, virtual private networks (VoIP), and call forwarding.

Where Is Area Code 705 Located?

The 705 area code is in Ontario, Canada. It is located throughout much of central and northeastern Ontario.

Major cities/areas in the 705 are:

• Sudbury
• Barrie
• North Bay
• Sault Ste. Marie
• Timmins
• Orillia
• Peterborough
• Muskoka
• Parry Sound
• Collingwood
• Midland
• Huntsville
• Bracebridge

705 is a large territory and therefore is not associated with just one city. It's more of a regional Ontario area code.

What Time Zone Is the 705 Area Code In?

The 705 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone.

That means:

• Time type
• Time offset
• Standard Time
• UTC−5
• Daylight Saving Time
• UTC−4

Please check the time difference when calling a 705 number from another province, state, or country. All of the businesses in the 705 area operate during normal work hours of the Eastern Time Zone.

Is 705 a Sudbury Area Code?

Of course, the area code 705 is also a common Sudbury area code, but it's not only a Sudbury area code.

Sudbury is one of the more popular cities in the 705 area. Many other communities and cities in Ontario, including Barrie, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Orillia, and Muskoka use the same area code.

Therefore, if you're seeing a 705 area code, it may refer to Sudbury; however, it could also be another central or northern Ontario area code.

History of the 705 Area Code

The 705 area code was created in 1957. This was because parts of the area had to be split off, creating a new area code for the central and north-eastern regions of Ontario.

With the growing number of mobile phones, internet-based telephone services, and businesses in Ontario, there were more phone numbers needed. To accommodate this increased demand, new overlay codes were added, but phone numbers were not changed.

The 705 area code’s history has important milestones to note, such as:

• 1957: Area code 705 was added to serve the majority of the northeast and central portion of the province of Ontario.
• 2011: An area code overlay was added, new numbers were added, and the 705 area code customers had no changes to their numbers.
• 2011: Mandatory 10-digit dialing in the area as multiple area codes provide service to the same geographic service area.
• 2022: Area code 683 is added as a second overlay to add further numbering expansion for future growth.

All three area codes, 705, 249, and 683, now service the same general area, and residents or businesses within that area may use any of the area codes, depending on the city or town they are in.

What Are the Overlay Codes for 705?

The overlay codes for 705 are:

• 249
• 683

Overlay codes are codes that represent that multiple area codes exist for the same geographic region. For example, two people in the same City in Ontario may be assigned different area codes such as 705, 249, or 683.

This doesn't mean that one of the numbers was more "local" than the other. It depends on the time the number was used and what numbers the carrier has.

Do You Need 10-Digit Dialing for 705?

Yes, in the 705 area, you must use 10-digit dialing for local calls.

That will require you to dial:

Area code + local number

For example:

705-XXX-XXXX

This is necessary as 705 is in the same region as overlay area codes 249 and 683. If it weren't for 10-digit dialing, the phone system wouldn't always be able to tell the area code you are dialing.

Is the 705 Area Code Legit or a Scam?

The 705 area code is indeed legitimate. It is a Canadian area code from Toronto, Ontario.

But it's possible to still have a scam call using a 705 number. Fraudsters frequently use fake area codes when calling to make their calls seem local or legitimate. This means that the phone number you see on your caller ID doesn't necessarily indicate a caller's actual location.

By itself, a 705 number is not a red flag. Having an area code is important, but the caller's behavior is more important.

Common 705 Scam Warning Signs

Be careful if a 705 caller:

• Requests banking information, passwords, and/or verification codes
• Creates urgency with phrases such as "you must do this now!"
• Tells you that you owe money, but can't give a clear explanation
• States that he has won a prize, but needs to pay a fee first
• Impersonates a government, police, bank, or delivery official
• Sends suspicious links by text message
• Will not allow you to call back via an official number

If it doesn't sound right, hang up and reach out to the business/agency via their website or phone number.

Common Scams Linked With Spoofed 705 Numbers

Scammers may spoof 705 numbers for different types of fraud, including:

Bank scams

The caller might falsely claim to be from your bank and request confirmation of your account, card or login information.

CRA or Government scams

The caller could say that you owe taxes or have a legal problem. Legitimate agencies never require payment via gift cards, cryptocurrencies or wire transfers.

Delivery scams

You could see a fake text message alerting you that your package is “delayed” and requesting you to click on a link or pay a small fee.

Tech support scams

Your computer or phone will have a virus and the caller will ask you to give him/her access to it.

Prize or lottery scams

The caller can inform you that you've won money, but you have to pay the processing fee first.

Benefits of a 705 Area Code Number

For businesses interested in having a local area code in central or northern Ontario, a 705 area code number might be helpful.

Some benefits include:

• Establishes rapport with local customers
• Provides a friendly Ontario appearance to callers
• Promotes easy accessibility to customers in the region
• Great for service providers, tour operators, real estate, medical practices and local contractors
• Better for those who would like to call a local number rather than a toll-free or out-of-state phone number.

For companies that operate in an area such as Sudbury, Barrie, Muskoka, North Bay, or Sault Ste Marie, a 705 number can be used for local branding.

705 Area Code and Local SEO

When used correctly, a 705 number can also be used for local SEO.

If your business is located in the 705 area code, make sure that your phone number remains the same for:

• Google Business Profile
• Website contact page
• Local directories
• Social media profiles
• Review platforms
• Business citations

While a local telephone number is not enough to rank a business, it plays a part in establishing trust and consistency. Your business name, address, and phone number should be consistent throughout the internet for local SEO.

For businesses that service central or northern Ontario, it may be beneficial to use a 705, 249, or 683 number as the company phone number in order to appear relevant to local users.

Can You Get a New 705 Number Today?

It's possible to get a 705 number today; however, it relies on your phone provider and the availability of numbers.

Some carriers may have fewer 705 numbers available, as this is an older area code and one that is very well-known. Many times, however, new customers in the same area will get given the numbers 249 or 683.

The area code doesn't always match the area; a 249 or 683 area code telephone number could be local to the 705 area.

Final Thoughts

The 705 area code is a legitimate Ontario area code that is used in central and northeastern Ontario. It has a strong link to the cities and regions of Sudbury, Barrie, North Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Muskoka, and Orillia.

Don't think that the 705 area code is a scam, just as scammers can spoof any area code. If you get a suspicious call or text message on your 705 device, don't give out any personal information. Hang up, do not click any links that you don't recognize, and confirm the caller using an established contact method.

A 705 phone number might still be worth it to a business as it establishes its footprint in a populous and familiar area of Ontario.

FAQs About the 705 Area Code

Why am I getting calls from different 705 numbers?

Scammers can and do rotate or spoof phone numbers, so you may be receiving calls from various 705 numbers. The caller may appear to be calling from Ontario, but the actual caller may be located elsewhere. Make sure that if the same type of message is received from a different 705 number, it is probably spam or robocalling.

Is a 705 number always from Ontario?

Central and northeastern Ontario are the areas associated with a real 705 number, which is connected to the state of Ontario, Canada. However, caller ID can be faked. A scammer could get a call to look as though it's coming from a 705 number, when in fact it is not.

Why does a 705 number look local but still seem suspicious?

Scammers use area codes that are similar to the ones in their area so that the person will answer the phone. This is known as number spoofing. If the caller requests money, personal information, banking information, or verification codes, it is to be considered suspicious.

Can scammers spoof the 705 area code?

Yes, it is possible to spoof the 705 area code. Spoofing involves disguising their true number, so your phone shows a different number. A 705 number that has been spoofed does not necessarily indicate that the caller is located in Ontario.

I got a voicemail from a 705 number saying legal action will be taken. Is it a scam?

If the voicemail message contains threats, sounds like a robot, has a rush or has an urgent call back please, it's probably a scam. Random robocalls are not a typical method used by government agencies or legitimate companies to threaten people. Don't call back on the phone number provided in the message. Rather, verify on the official site and call the agency.

Should I call back a missed 705 number?

Only call back if you recognize the number or were expecting a call. If you do not know the number or if there is no obvious voicemail, it is best not to call back. If it's important, the caller will typically leave a proper message or call you back in another manner.

Why do 705 spam callers keep changing numbers?

Spammers will use numerous numbers to evade rejection, which are spoofed. By blocking one number, it may prevent that individual caller ID from being able to call the phone, but it doesn't necessarily prevent the same scammer from using another caller ID.

What should I do if I answered a 705 scam call?

If you just answered, don't worry. Just hang up. If you disclosed banking information, credit card information, passwords, or verification codes, contact your banking institution or service provider immediately. Affected passwords should also be changed, and the accounts.

Are texts from 705 numbers safe?

There are some texts from 705 that are real, but unknown texts need to be handled with care. Never click on a link, download any files or enter personal information. Scams can be initiated by wrong number text messages, prize messages, or delivery links and “Hi, is this you?” text messages.

How can I protect myself from 705 area code scams?

Never pick up unknown calls, do not dial numbers during robocalls, do not give businesses or agencies personal information, and check businesses or agencies on their official site. Repeat spammers can also be blocked, and you can make use of the spam protection features offered by your phone carrier.

Why do 705 scam calls sometimes hang up immediately?

Some spam calls end after a few seconds, as they are attempting to see if the number is active. When answered, your number might be flagged as active and may receive additional spam calls in the future.

Why did someone call me back, saying I called them from a 705 number?

This may occur due to your number being spoofed. A scammer could use your phone number as their caller ID. The person you call believes that you called them, when really you were the one who was called.

Is it safe to press “1” or another number during a 705 robocall?

No. By pressing a number, you can make sure that your phone number is active. It can also lead you to a scam operator. It's best to hang up.

Can a 705 scam call pretend to be from the CRA?

Yes. Scam calls appear to be identifying themselves as from the Canada Revenue Agency or a Government office. They might be saying that you owe some money, are being sued or have to call back very soon. Check with the official CRA website or phone number.

What does it mean if a 705 caller asks for gift cards?

It's a huge red flag when it comes to scams. Real businesses, banks, police, and government agencies will not request payment via gift card. If someone requests you to purchase gift cards, hang up right away.

Why do scammers use my own area code?

Scammers use the same area code you live in so that the call will look familiar. People are more likely to answer a number that appears to be nearby.

Are 705 text messages about package delivery scams?

They can be. A 705 text message will not contain a link or request you to pay a fee if your package is delayed. Check tracking on the courier's official website.

Can blocking a 705 number stop all scam calls?

Blocking can be beneficial, but it doesn't necessarily prevent all scam calls. Scammers change numbers and calls from other numbers like 705, 249, 683 or from unknown numbers may still occur.

Should I report a suspicious 705 call?

Yes, you can report suspicious calls to your phone carrier, Canada’s Anti-Fraud Center, or your local consumer protection agency. Reporting contributes to the analysis of scam trends.

Is a 705 business call safe if it sounds professional?

Not always. Some scam callers sound legitimate and may use the name of a real company. If it's too good to be true or they request private information, hang up and contact the company directly.

Why did I get a random “Hi” text from a 705 number?

Random ‘Hi' text messages could be scams targeting incorrect numbers. Often, scammers will send a deceptive email or message of some sort to gauge whether you will respond. If you are unsure who the sender is, it is best not to reply.

Can a real 705 number be used by a scammer?

Yes. A scammer might one day employ a valid telephone number using spoofing, or a telephone number with a 705 area code that is associated with a VoIP service. The area code does not necessarily indicate if the call is legitimate or not.