What are the Best Cell Phone Plans in Saginaw County?
The North American Numbering Plan was instituted in 1940 to unify the different numbering plans for various telephone service providers in North America. The North American Numbering Plan administrator is responsible for the distribution of area codes in North America. Area codes are the first three digits of any North American telephone number, and they are unique to the geographical locations they cover. The Michigan Public Service Commission was set up to implement and establish policies to guide telephone companies in the state.
There is currently only one area code serving the entire Saginaw County area. The area code covering central Michigan and the northwestern lower peninsula is the highest-numbered area code in use in the North American Numbering Plan.
Area Code 989
Area code 989 covers Saginaw County and parts of other surrounding counties in the State of Michigan. It was created in a split from area code 517 in 2001. Before the split, area code 517 was the only area code in Michigan that has never been split. Area code 989 serves all the cities in Saginaw County. These include Birch Run and Saginaw.
Residents of Saginaw County may receive calls from unknown numbers bearing different area codes. If you have experienced this, there is no need to panic. It is normal for most interstates and international calls to bear different area codes. Residents may use area codes lookup services to identify where phone calls originate.
A 2018 National Center of Health Statistics survey estimated that 57.3% of Michigan adults exclusively used wireless telephone services, while only 4.7% used landlines as their only telephony service. 14.3% of Michigan adults used wireless telephone services as their preferred telephone services. By contrast, only 8.3% used landlines as their number one telephony service. 12.1% of Michigan adults used landlines and wireless telephone services.
The difference is more comprehensive among minors, with 69.5% preferring wireless telephone services. Only 2.1% of Michigan minors exclusively used landlines. 15.5% of Michigan minors opted for wireless telephone services as the first choice telephone service, while only 1.7% used landlines as their number one telephony service. 7.8% of Michigan minors used landlines and wireless telephone services.
Two major network providers, namely Verizon and Sprint, cover Saginaw County. Verizon has the best coverage in Saginaw with a relative score of 96%, while Sprint has only 72% network coverage. The other providers do not cover enough areas in both the City and the County. Consequently, it is difficult to estimate their coverage score.
Residents of Saginaw County may choose from several wireless telephone services. One of such services is the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP is a wireless service used to deliver phone calls and other multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol networks, such as the internet. Residents can choose from several VoIP providers in Saginaw County. VoIP services may vary depending on the plan users subscribed to. Residents may subscribe to either the business plan or personal plan. The Michigan Public Service Commission has no jurisdiction over wireless, internet, or VoIP issues. To report a VoIP issue, contact the Federal Communication Commission.
What are Saginaw County Phone Scams?
Phone scams target residents of Saginaw County to steal money or confidential information from them, using phone lines and other telecommunication products. The Saginaw County Sheriff is responsible for providing updates on prevalent scams in the county. The department also help investigate scams for victims of any scams in the area.
Common phone scams in Saginaw County include:
What are Saginaw County Grandparents Scams?
Grandparents scams are scams that target the elderly in Saginaw County. In these scams, victims receive phone calls from scammers claiming to be their grandchildren or grandchildren's lawyers. Scammers try to convince senior citizens that their loved ones are in trouble and need large sums of money to get out of these situations. Scammers ask the victims to wire the money to designated accounts. Sometimes, the scammers request other payment systems such as gift cards, bitcoins, and prepaid debit cards. Whatever the case may be, reverse phone number searches can help reveal where phone calls originate.
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office warns residents of grandparents' scams. The Office urges families to educate their parents and grandparents about these scams. Family members should also keep track of the finances and bank account balances of their elderly parents. They should take every unusual financial transaction in the accounts seriously.
What are Saginaw County Imposter Scams?
Imposter scams are scams in which scammers impersonate government agencies or legitimate businesses. There are many types of imposter scams based on the agency or businesses scammers impersonate. Typically, scammers call residents, claiming to be staff of the Michigan Consumer Protection Bureau, IRS, Social Security Administration, Utility companies, etc. Scammers often spoof their caller ID information to display the department’s phone numbers. In some cases, scammers may use the exact office addresses of the departments to deceive victims. In these scams, scammers tell their victims that they have won a huge sum. They tell the victims that they have been trying to deliver the funds to them, and they are calling because it is not working. Scammers do this to trick the victims into responding to whatever request they make. Scammers may request confidential information or upfront payments of delivery fees and tasks as conditions for delivering the funds.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately and contact local law enforcement agencies. Reverse phone number lookups can help identify potential scam calls. Beware of calls from individuals representing themselves as employees of government agencies or legitimate businesses. Victims of imposter scams may report to the Michigan's Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
What are Saginaw County Unemployment Scams?
In unemployment scams, victims receive calls from scammers claiming to work for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Scammers impersonate the agency to retrieve personal information from their victims then use the information to file claims and receive benefits from the government. Scammers use social security numbers, credit card details, and wage and employment information that do not belong to them to collect various government benefits from the state, such as COVID-19 relief benefits.
The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) reported that scammers are trying to file false claims to receive benefits during the COVID-19 crisis, using personal information that does not belong to them. Do not give personal information to anyone claiming to work for the government. Residents may use reverse phone number lookup services to verify who called. If you suspect that identity thieves have used your personal information to file false UI claims, you must act fast so the UIA can help you stop the imposter claim.
What are Saginaw County Utility Imposter Scams?
In these scams, victims receive phone calls from scammers claiming to represent their utility companies. Scammers tell the victims that their bills are overdue, and if they do not pay immediately, their power, heat, or water will be turned off. These types of calls are common during Michigan's cold winters or hot summers because scammers know that victims may find it difficult to live without these services in harsh weather conditions. Scammers often request payments via Green Dot debit cards, Western Union wire transfers, bitcoins, or apps like Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle. Residents should note that utilities do not accept payments in any of these ways. Utilities do not request the personal information of customers. If you suspect that scammers have contacted you, use reverse phone number lookups to identify where calls originate.
What are Saginaw County Covid-19 Vaccine Scams?
Scammers prey on victims' fears and emotions to profit from the challenges of Covid-19. Typically, victims receive calls from people claiming to work with healthcare companies. The scammers promise to sell Covid-19 vaccines to their victims at affordable prices. In the real sense, the FDA did not endorse these fraudulent products for safety and effectiveness. If you receive calls from anyone trying to sell vaccines to you, hang up immediately. Residents who have been victims of Covid-19 scams should contact the local police. They should also ensure to carry out suspicious phone number lookups to identify who called.
What are Robocalls and Spam Calls?
According to Section 445.111 of the Michigan Home Solicitation Sales Law, robocalls are calls that deliver recorded messages to residents. Telemarketing businesses, non-profit organizations, and public institutions use robocalls to reach target audiences. In Saginaw County, telemarketing businesses are allowed to conduct their business using live-call telemarketers and automated robocalls. Due to the proliferation of such calls, scammers often impersonate legitimate businesses to steal confidential information from unsuspecting citizens. Residents may use reverse phone lookup services to confirm whether incoming calls are robocalls or not. Here are tips to help you avoid being victims of such scams:
- Do not trust your caller ID to show you the true origin of a robocall. You can also use a reverse phone lookup service provider instead.
- Do not answer calls from unrecognized phone numbers. Some of these calls are designed to verify working phone numbers or whether the recipients are live.
- Use call-blocking software to block unwanted numbers. To contact your service provider about your options.
- If you mistakenly take a robocall, do not panic. Hang up immediately.
- Do not give out any money or personal information during a robocall.
- Report unauthorized robocalls to the FTC online or call 1-888-382-1222.
- Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry.
How to Spot and Report Saginaw County Phone Scams
Scammers are inventing new tricks to steal from unsuspecting citizens. The best way to avoid getting scammed is vigilance. Phone number lookup services can help you identify potential phone scams. Indications that phone calls are scams include:
- The callers refuse to disclose their names or who they represent.
- The callers claim to be from the IRS, FBI, law enforcement, or other government agency.
- The use of aggressive tactics may include threats of arrests or withdrawal of licenses to request money or information.
- Calls with specific instructions on how to make payments that normally should be made in the bank. Scammers often ask victims to use prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or third-party mobile apps.
- The callers push services you did not inquire about on you.
Providers of reverse phone number services are helping residents fight phone scams. Residents can use either free phone number lookups or paid phone number search services to identify who called them. Several public institutions assist residents of Saginaw County in preventing phone scams, including:
Michigan Office of the Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division. - The division is responsible for protecting residents from scammers who intend to steal from them. The division handles over 10,000 consumer complaints each year. It also provides numerous online resources and issues consumer alerts on scams—Call 877-765-8388 to file complaints. The division can also assist with phone number searches to identify scam callers.
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office - The Office provides updates on how residents can avoid phone scams. The Office also assists with phone lookup services to victims of phone scams. Call (989)-790-5400 to submit a complaint or report an incident.
Better Business Bureau - The Better Business Bureau provides information on legitimate businesses registered in the county. It also provides updates on recent business scams in the county.
Federal Trade Commission - The FTC protects citizens of the United States from all kinds of frauds. The FTC initiated the National Do Not Call Registry as part of its efforts to eliminate unwanted calls.