Question 1

Is area code 346 a scam?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 itself is not a scam - it is a legitimate telephone area code serving Houston, Texas. However, like any area code, scammers may spoof 346 numbers to appear local and trustworthy. If you receive suspicious calls from 346 numbers, they are likely using neighbor spoofing techniques. Always verify caller identity and never provide personal information to unsolicited callers.

Question 2

Are all 346 calls scams?

Accepted Answer

No, not all 346 calls are scams. Area code 346 is a legitimate telephone area code serving Houston and surrounding areas, used by millions of legitimate residents and businesses. While scammers do spoof 346 numbers, many genuine calls come from this area code. Exercise caution with unsolicited calls but don't assume every 346 call is fraudulent - verify caller identity through official channels when in doubt.

Question 3

Why am I getting spam calls from 346?

Accepted Answer

You are likely receiving spam calls from 346 numbers due to neighbor spoofing, where scammers fake their caller ID to display local area codes. This technique makes calls appear more legitimate and increases the likelihood of people answering. The Houston area's large population makes it an attractive target for scammers. These calls often involve Social Security scams, IRS impersonation, vehicle warranty scams, or tech support fraud.

Question 4

How can I stop 346 spam calls?

Accepted Answer

To stop 346 spam calls: 1) Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, 2) Use call screening services that identify and block known scam numbers, 3) Never answer calls from unknown numbers or provide personal information, 4) Report spam calls to the FTC and your phone carrier, 5) Consider using apps or services that automatically block suspected spam calls. Remember that legitimate businesses may also use 346 numbers.

Question 5

Do I need to dial area code 346?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit number) for all calls within the 346 area code and the entire Houston overlay complex (713, 281, 832, 346, 621). This mandatory 10-digit dialing was implemented to accommodate multiple area codes serving the same geographic area. Both local and long-distance calls require the area code prefix.

Question 6

What industries benefit most from 346 phone numbers?

Accepted Answer

Industries that benefit most from 346 phone numbers include: energy and oil & gas companies (Houston is the energy capital), healthcare and medical practices (Texas Medical Center presence), real estate agencies serving Houston's growing market, legal firms, contractors and home services, restaurants and hospitality, retail businesses, and technology companies. Any business targeting Houston's diverse economy can benefit from establishing local presence through a 346 number.

Question 7

What area code is 346?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 is a telephone area code serving Houston, Texas and surrounding metropolitan areas. It is an overlay code that shares the same geographic region as area codes 713, 281, 832, and 621, covering southeast Texas including Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.

Question 8

Where is area code 346 located?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 is located in southeast Texas, primarily serving Houston and its surrounding metropolitan area. The coverage includes Houston proper and extends to surrounding cities such as Sugar Land, League City, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Spring, Deer Park, La Porte, and Channelview across nine counties in the Greater Houston region.

Question 9

What time zone is area code 346 in?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 is in the Central Time Zone (CT), which is UTC-6 during standard time and UTC-5 during Daylight Saving Time. This means the 346 area code observes the same time as the rest of Houston and most of Texas, with clocks moving forward one hour in March and back one hour in November.

Question 10

When did area code 346 start?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 was announced by the Public Utility Commission of Texas on May 9, 2013, and became active on July 1, 2014. It was introduced as the third overlay for the Houston metropolitan area to address the growing demand for telephone numbers in one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing metropolitan regions.

Question 11

Is 346 a Houston area code?

Accepted Answer

Yes, area code 346 is a Houston area code. It serves Houston and the surrounding metropolitan region as part of an overlay complex that includes area codes 713, 281, 832, and 621. All five area codes cover the same geographic area, with 713 being the original Houston area code and the others added as overlays to meet increasing demand.

Question 12

What cities are in area code 346?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 covers Houston and numerous surrounding cities including Sugar Land, League City, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Spring, Deer Park, La Porte, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Bellaire, Katy, Pearland, Missouri City, Galveston, Texas City, Friendswood, Angleton, Lake Jackson, Freeport, Rosenberg, Richmond, and parts of Beaumont and Port Arthur. The coverage spans nine counties in southeast Texas.

Question 13

What counties does area code 346 cover?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 covers nine counties in southeast Texas: Harris (Houston's primary county), Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, Waller, and portions of surrounding counties. This coverage area encompasses the Greater Houston metropolitan statistical area, one of the largest and most populous regions in the United States.

Question 14

What zip codes are in area code 346?

Accepted Answer

Area code 346 covers numerous zip codes across the Houston metropolitan area, including but not limited to: Houston (77001-77299), Sugar Land (77478-77479), League City (77573-77574), Baytown (77520-77523), Conroe (77301-77306), Pasadena (77501-77506), Spring (77373-77389), Deer Park (77536), La Porte (77571-77572), and Channelview (77530). The coverage spans hundreds of zip codes across nine counties.

Question 15

Is area code 346 an overlay?

Accepted Answer

Yes, area code 346 is an overlay code. It was introduced as the third overlay for the Houston metropolitan area, sharing the same geographic territory as area codes 713 (the original), 281 (first overlay), and 832 (second overlay). This means multiple area codes serve the same region, requiring 10-digit dialing for all local calls within the Houston area.

Question 16

What area codes are near 346?

Accepted Answer

Area codes near 346 include 409 (serving Beaumont and southeast Texas to the east), 979 (serving College Station and Bryan to the northwest), 936 (serving Huntsville and east Texas to the north), and 979 (serving parts of central Texas). Within the same geographic area, 346 coexists with 713, 281, 832, and 621 as part of Houston's overlay complex.

Question 17

How do I get a 346 area code number?

Accepted Answer

To get a 346 area code number: 1) Choose a VoIP provider that offers 346 numbers, 2) Search available numbers to find one that fits your needs, 3) Complete the registration process with your business information, 4) Configure call routing and features through your provider's portal, 5) Start using your new 346 number immediately. The process typically takes minutes and requires no hardware installation.

Question 18

Can I get a 346 number if I don't live in Houston?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can get a 346 area code number even if you don't live in Houston. VoIP technology allows businesses to obtain local numbers from any area code regardless of physical location. This is particularly useful for companies wanting to establish a local presence in Houston, target Houston customers, or appear more accessible to the Houston market while operating from anywhere in the world.

Question 19

How much does a 346 phone number cost?

Accepted Answer

346 phone number costs vary by provider and features. Basic VoIP services may charge $10-20 per month per number, while comprehensive business solutions with advanced features like call screening, voicemail transcription, and AI receptionist services typically range from $50-150 per month. Setup fees are often waived, and many providers include unlimited calling within the United States. Sparta Tech AI offers 346 numbers starting at $89 per month with advanced features included.

Question 20

What are the benefits of a 346 business phone number?

Accepted Answer

Benefits of a 346 business phone number include: establishing local presence in Houston's thriving market, building customer trust through familiar area code, professional call handling with advanced features, cost-effective communication solutions, scalability for growing businesses, mobile accessibility, and improved customer response rates. A 346 number helps businesses appear local and accessible to Houston's 7+ million residents.

Decision Lens	Regular VoIP Number	Local Number + AI Receptionist (Answer IT)
Caller experience	Ring group + voicemail.	Branded greeting, intelligent Q&A, live routing.
Missed calls & after‑hours	Voicemail or no answer; manual follow‑up.	24/7 capture → auto callback + SMS/email follow‑up.
Speed‑to‑lead	Caller waits or abandons.	Instant triage: qualifies, answers FAQs, books appointments.
Appointment booking	Manual or via a link later.	Direct booking into your calendar—no back‑and‑forth.
Lead qualification & routing	Limited; depends on human availability.	Scripted Q&A + smart routing by service, location, language, priority.
Multi‑channel coverage	Typically voice; SMS varies by carrier.	Omnichannel: voice + SMS + email (chat/social optional add‑ons).
CRM & inbox logging	Manual notes (if any).	Automatic logging: outcomes, transcripts, contact details.
Analytics	Basic call logs.	Revenue Leak Check: missed‑call trends, booking rate, callback success.
Compliance & consent	Basic call handling.	Opt‑in flows for SMS/email follow‑ups; configurable consent prompts.
Brand impression	Generic number; reactive.	Local, responsive, always‑on—signals reliability.
Scalability	Add lines/extensions manually.	Clone across area codes in minutes with consistent scripts.
Setup time	Minutes to provision a line.	Minutes self‑serve—no hardware, no training required.
Cost (self‑serve)	Varies by carrier; features vary.	$99/mo—local number + AI receptionist. No setup fee. 7‑day money‑back guarantee.
Best when…	You only need a basic ring‑to + voicemail.	You want to convert every call and missed call into booked revenue.
CTA	(Optional) Keep your current VoIP.	Activate Local + AI ($99/mo)

AI Receptionist with
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AI Receptionist with 346 Area Code for Houston Businesses