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

Quick Facts About the 819 Area Code

What Is the 819 Area Code?

819 is a telephone area code in Canada that serves the province of Québec, with a large part of it outside the cities of Montréal and Québec, including most of the eastern, western, central, and northern parts of the province.

If someone has an 819 area code on their telephone number, they're likely living in or around Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Victoriaville, Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d'Or, Magog, and other cities in Québec.

Where Is Area Code 819 Located?

Area code 819 is in the province of Québec in Canada, and serves several key areas, including:

• Outaouais
• Abitibi-Témiscamingue
• Centre-du-Québec
• Parts of the Eastern Townships
• Northern Québec communities
• Regions around Gatineau, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières.

Given that 819 is a general geographic term and the town covers a large geographic area, there is no single city that corresponds to 819. With that being said, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, and Trois-Rivières are among the best-known cities in the 819 area.

What Time Zone Is the 819 Area Code In?

The 819 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone. It uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5) when not in daylight saving time and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4) when in daylight saving time.

This corresponds to the times of the large cities in eastern Canada, such as Montréal, Ottawa and Toronto.

Is 819 a Québec Area Code?

Yes, 819 is a Québec area code. It is mostly used outside Montréal and Québec City, on a vast area of western, central and northern Québec.

An 819 phone call may actually be from a person, business, government, service provider or a VoIP user in Quebec. But, just like every area code, the numbers in the 819 area code can be spoofed by scammers.

History of the 819 Area Code

The 819 area code is no exception and has a long history in the telecommunications market in the province of Québec, and its changing communication requirements over time.

Before the introduction of 819, the 514 area code covered a much larger territory, including Montréal and its region.

In 1957, area code 819 was created from 514 and was one of the first expansions of the telephone numbering plan in Canada. It was designed to address the growth of the telephone industry outside Montréal, especially in more rural and developing areas of the province.

Over time, 819 became one of the area codes serving the major regions of Québec; it covered a large, diverse territory that included Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Victoriaville, and many smaller towns and rural communities.

As the region expanded its use of phone numbers due to the proliferation of mobile phones, business lines, fax machines, and Voice over Internet Protocol, it needed more numbering capacity. Area code 873 was added as an overlay to the same geographic area, so that new numbers could be issued without changing the numbers of existing 819 customers.

In 2022, area code 468 was introduced as a second overlay to the 819/873 area to allow more phone numbers as demand for its services continues to grow.

Today, 819, 873, and 468 all cover the same geographic area in Québec, and as a result, all local calls must be dialled with a 10-digit number.

What Are the Overlay Codes for 819?

The overlays for the 819 area code are 873 and 468.

An overlay occurs when a new area code is added to the same service area as an existing code, and additional phone numbers can be added without disrupting current service. Thus, in the 819 area, new telephone numbers can be allocated any of the following prefixes:

• 819
• 873
• 468

The three area codes are all for the general area in Québec.

Do You Need 10-Digit Dialling for 819?

Yes, 10-digit dialling applies to all calls to and from 819 numbers. The full area code and the 7-digit number should be dialled (such as 819-XXX-XXXX).

This is because multiple area codes are now used in the same area. If the phone system didn't have 10-digit dialling, it would not know whether a call was to an 819, 873, or 468 number.

Is the 819 Area Code Legit or a Scam?

819 is a valid area code; it's the official Canadian area code for Québec.

But calls from an 819 number are not necessarily trustworthy. Scammers can call from any area code and make it seem as if they're calling from a local area or a familiar area. It is not the area code that's the issue; it's the caller's behaviour that should be questioned.

Common 819 Scam Warning Signs

Be cautious if an 819 caller

• Does not allow time to check
• Says they owe you money but can't prove it
• Requests bank information, passwords or verification codes
• Tells you that you've won a prize, but need to pay a fee to collect it
• Impersonates a government agency, police department, bank, or delivery company
• Threatens arrest, account suspension or legal action
• Sends suspicious URLs through text message
• Is unwilling to give official contact details or a verifiable call-back number
• Asks for payment using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or prepaid cards

If something seems amiss, hang up and reach out to the company or agency directly via their Website or trusted phone number.

What Are the Common Scams Linked With Spoofed 819 Numbers?

Fraudsters can use fake 819 numbers in various frauds, such as:

1. Government Impersonation Scams

The caller pretends to be from a tax agency, immigration office, police department, or court and threatens legal action if they do not pay immediately.

2. Bank Fraud Calls

The caller pretends to be from a financial institution, says there is suspicious activity on your bank account, and asks for your card number, PIN, online banking password, or one-time security code.

3. Delivery Text Scams

A fraudulent message says there's a delay in getting your package or that you need to pay a small customs fee; it also includes a fake link that tries to collect your payment information or personal details.

4. Tech Support Scams

The caller claims that your computer, phone, or online account has been hacked and requests that you purchase software to enable remote access or pay for alleged computer maintenance.

5. Prize/Lottery Scams

The caller tells you that you have a prize, gift card or lottery to redeem and asks for a processing fee, a tax, or personal details before giving you the nonexistent prize.

6. Job and Business Scams

Fraudsters can make fake job offers, bogus business proposals, or fake invoices more believable by using local phone numbers, and frequently ask for up-front payment or personal information.

What Are the Benefits of an 819 Area Code Number?

For anyone, local businesses and service providers in need of a familiar Québec code, an 819 area code number can be a valuable asset.

Key benefits include:

• Earns local trust with customers across the province of Québec
• Helps companies to appear more familiar and friendly to local callers
• Ideal for businesses located in Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and the surrounding region.
• Adds a more regional flavour to customer support
• Can be used for landline, mobile or VoIP services
• Distinguishes between local, national and international business communications
• Facilitates local campaigns of advertising and marketing to the public in Québec

An 819 number can create a sense of accessibility and grounding in communication for businesses that serve western or central Québec.

How an 819 Area Code Number Can Benefit Your Business’s Local SEO

An 819 area code number can be a valuable addition to your local SEO strategy when used properly, in conjunction with accurate business data.

Specific benefits include:

• Enhancing the local signal for users in the Quebec region
• Establishing a sense of trust when customers see a familiar local area code.
• Ensuring uniformity in NAP throughout your Google Business Profile, directories and citation listings
• Building local pages that target city-specific landing pages (e.g. Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, etc.)
• The possibility of improving the call response rate from customers who prefer calling local numbers
• Presenting your business as more relevant to people searching for services in your area

However, having an 819 number is not enough to get a good ranking. However, solid local SEO still depends on correct citations, an optimised Google Business Profile, real customer reviews, content geared towards locals, and organised service area pages.

Can You Get a New 819 Number Today?

For some, it will be possible to get a new 819 number, but it will depend on your carrier, your VoIP provider, and the availability of those numbers.

Since 819 is an established old-fashioned area code, some providers may be obligated to assign new numbers under the 873 or 468 overlays. Either can provide a valid Québec presence, as both services serve the same geographic area.

If there is a particular 819 number that is significant to you, consult local phone providers, cellphone carriers, VoIP companies, business phone system providers, and virtual number companies to see if it is available. Availability is updated frequently, so it's best to search directly with your preferred provider.

How Can You Get a New 819 Area Code Number?

To get a new 819 area code number, do the following:

• Make sure that your phone service provider provides Canadian numbers
• Find numbers in the 819 area code
• Choose the desired number (if available)
• Determine the type of business phone number you need: mobile, landline, or VoIP.
• Fill out the registration form or buy a number form.
• Ensure call forwarding, voicemail, business hours and team routing are in place where necessary
• List the number on your Website, Google Business Profile and local listings

If the 819 number is not available, request a 873 or 468 number, as both are in the same region of Quebec.

Final Thoughts

819 is one of the most important regional area codes in Québec, covering the western, central, and northern regions of the province, including important cities such as Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, and Victoriaville.

It is a valid area code and widely used, but callers are advised to be cautious because criminals can spoof any area code as local. An 819 number can help build trust with local businesses, aid in Québec marketing, and boost local SEO with consistent business listings and a strong local presence.

For the 819 area code, you should verify if the phone number is available with your phone or VoIP service provider. Either 873 or 468 is an acceptable overlay that covers the same area if 819 is not available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 819 Area Code

1. Is the 819 area code a scam?

No. 819 is a real area code in the Canadian province of Quebec, covering cities such as Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, and Victoriaville. The scammers use 819 to make it seem like a local call, but the area code is 100% legit: always evaluate a call by what the caller is asking for, rather than by the number being shown.

2. Why do I keep getting calls from 819 numbers?

The calls can actually be from area businesses, service providers, appointment reminders or personal contacts in Québec. But if you are receiving multiple calls from numbers in the same area code – especially recorded calls or calls asking for personal details – you could be a victim of robocalls or of a spoofed scam call.

3. I got a call from an 819 number claiming to be Service Canada. Is it real?

Exercise caution. Some people receive calls from numbers that seem to be from Service Canada or tax-related offices, with pressure tactics or asking for personal information. If the call seems threatening or asks for urgent action, hang up and call the agency directly via its official Website.

4. Can scammers fake an 819 phone number?

Yes. Caller ID can be spoofed, meaning scammers could make it appear as though they are calling from 819 even though they are calling from outside of Québec. Even if a number is familiar to you and your area, it does not necessarily mean that a call will be safe.

5. Should I answer unknown 819 calls?

For residents or customers in the Québec region, the call might be legitimate. If you're not sure, send it to voicemail — real callers will usually leave a message that includes their name, who they are calling for and why.

6. What should I do if an 819 number keeps calling me?

Don't respond to suspicious calls that keep repeating. Block them and use your phone's built-in spam reporting tools, and don't give away personal or financial information. If the caller identifies themselves as a bank, government agency or delivery company, reach out to them directly via a trusted source.

7. Are 819 numbers used for text message scams?

Yes. Often, fraudsters will include spoofed local numbers in their texts to pretend to be from a delivery service, bank, prize giveaway, toll company, or suspicious link. Don't click on links in messages from unknown numbers.

8. Is 819 a Gatineau area code?

Yes, 819 is used in Gatineau, but it's not just for that city. It also includes the communities of Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Victoriaville, Rouyn-Noranda, Val-D'or and many others in the region of Québec.

9. Is 819 a Montréal area code?

The area codes that cover Montréal are mainly 514, 438 and 263. The 819 area code is also assigned to other regions of Québec, outside of the Montréal metropolitan area.

10. Why do some 819 numbers also show 873 or 468?

Because 873 and 468 are Overlay Codes for the same geographic area. With limited 819 numbers, more and more numbers in the region are now being allocated under these two overlays.

11. Can I still get a new 819 number?

Depending on your provider, it may be possible. Some carriers might provide 873 or 468 instead of 819, as it is an older code. Both are still in the same region of Quebec.

12. Is an 819 number good for a local business?

Yes. An 819 number can help create a local, trusted brand in Quebec, especially for businesses looking to reach customers in Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, and beyond.

13. Can an 819 number help local SEO?

It can also help with local SEO by making your phone number appear more relevant to searches in the Québec area. This is most effective when your name, address, and phone number are uniform across your Website, Google Business Profile, and local directories.

14. What are the most common scams from spoofed 819 numbers?

Scams include fake government calls, fraudulent tax warnings, bank fraud alerts, fake package delivery text scams, fake prize notifications, tech support scams and robocalls. Here's the most consistent red flag: urgency — a demand to pay right away or to give vital information.

15. What should I do if I accidentally answered a scam 819 call?

Those who were simply answered without giving any information are generally not at risk. But if you revealed personal information, banking information, passwords or verification codes, call your bank right away, change any passwords and keep a close eye on your accounts. It's also possible to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.