NISKAYUNA, N.Y. -- If you picked up your phone Saturday and dialed a local number with seven digits, this is what you heard on the other end: "Welcome to Verizon Wireless, your call cannot be completed."
That's because you are now required to dial a 10 digit number, including the area code, in order to make a successful call, even if it's local.
This is all part of an area code overlay. Last year, the state public service commission approved the request to add the area code 838 to address the increase of cell phone users in the area.
"I thought it was kind of crazy because I lived in bigger areas where all the area code stayed the same. But it just shows how much this area has grown,” said David Le, an Albany business owner.
With 10 digits now required for every phone call, one local police department is reminding residents to make sure their security systems are updated.
“One of the things that we’ve come across is most burglar alarms and residential alarms operate off of a seven digit," said Michael Stevens, the Niskayuna Police Department Deputy Chief.
The department have sent letters out advising residents to contact their alarm company regarding the change to 10 digits. They say this affects anyone who uses a dial-up alarm system.
"Otherwise what could happen is the alarm won't call out and their response will never be had,” Stevens.
The 838 area code will be issued starting next month to anyone seeking a new phone number. It'll cover 17 counties in eastern Upstate New York.