# TollSure > TollSure is an independent US website about toll-free numbers (800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888): what they mean, why companies use them, how to verify a toll-free caller, how toll-free texting and call-back costs work. Its free tool parses a phone number and reports facts about the area code, such as region or toll-free status. It does not identify the owner, carrier or line type of a number, and it does not rate numbers as spam or safe. Editorial site about identifying unknown phone callers and understanding US/NANP area codes. It does not sell personal data and does not claim to identify the owner of a number. Written by Rae Kowalski. Contact: hello@creekrapid.com. ## Guides - [Who is calling me from an 800 or 888 number?](https://creekrapid.com/who-is-calling-from-800-or-888-number): An 800 or 888 call means the number is toll-free, nothing more. Here is what that tells you, what it can't, and how to decide whether to call back. - [Is area code 833 legit? The whole toll-free family](https://creekrapid.com/is-833-area-code-legit-toll-free-codes): 833 is a real toll-free code, not a scam code. This page lists 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 with the year each began and what to expect from them. - [Why real companies call from toll-free numbers, and how to verify one](https://creekrapid.com/verify-toll-free-caller-before-you-call-back): Legit businesses use toll-free numbers on purpose. A four-step routine to verify one before you pick up again, using only the company's own website. - [Toll-free text messages: why you got one and what STOP does](https://creekrapid.com/toll-free-text-message-what-stop-does): Businesses can text from 800-style numbers. Here is why one texted you, when replying STOP is reasonable, and when to forward the message to 7726 instead. - [Is it free to call a toll-free number back from your cell phone?](https://creekrapid.com/is-calling-toll-free-number-free-from-cell-phone): Toll-free means the business pays for the call, but a cell phone plan can complicate that. What it costs you, what it doesn't, and the one-ring trap. - [Toll-free 'account suspended' voicemails: how to check the callback number](https://creekrapid.com/toll-free-account-suspended-voicemail-callback-number): An account-suspended voicemail with a toll-free callback number is a pressure tactic until proven otherwise. A five-minute check that never uses the number it gives. - [Medicare, insurance and warranty calls from 888 and 866 numbers](https://creekrapid.com/medicare-insurance-warranty-calls-888-866-numbers): Unsolicited Medicare, insurance and car warranty calls often come from toll-free numbers. How to sort them in thirty seconds and who to call back instead. - [How to find a company's real toll-free number instead of trusting a voicemail](https://creekrapid.com/find-company-real-toll-free-number): Don't trust the number in a voicemail, text or ad. Where to find a company's real toll-free number, how to cross-check it, and what to do when numbers differ. - [Who assigns toll-free numbers? RespOrgs and how a number reaches a business](https://creekrapid.com/who-assigns-toll-free-numbers-resporg): Toll-free numbers are reserved through RespOrgs and a shared database, not issued by one office. How a number reaches a business and why owners aren't public. - [Does calling a toll-free number back confirm that your number works?](https://creekrapid.com/does-calling-back-confirm-your-number-works): Answering, pressing a key or calling back may tell a dialer your line is live. What each action signals, what is unproven, and how to cut the calls. ## Tools and data - [Check a number](https://creekrapid.com/toll-free-number-check): Type any US or Canadian phone number and see what the area code tells you: toll-free or not, region, time zone. It does not name owners or rate spam. - [Area code directory](https://creekrapid.com/area-code-directory): Every US area code grouped by state, with cities and time zones. Toll-free codes like 800 and 888 are not tied to a place, and this page explains how to spot them. ## About - [Toll-free calls, decoded.](https://creekrapid.com/): Straight answers on toll-free numbers: who calls from 800, 833 and 888, whether they are legit, how to verify one, and what a call back or text really costs. - [About TollSure](https://creekrapid.com/about-tollsure): TollSure is an independent site about toll-free numbers. See who writes it, what the lookup tool does and doesn't do, and how to send a correction. - [Rae Kowalski](https://creekrapid.com/by/rae-kowalski): Rae Kowalski edits TollSure, an independent site about toll-free numbers and unknown callers. Read her bio, her checking habits and every article she has written. - [Contact TollSure](https://creekrapid.com/contact-tollsure): Send TollSure a correction, a question or a privacy request. Rae reads every message, and we never ask for your phone number or account details. - [Privacy policy](https://creekrapid.com/privacy-policy): What TollSure collects (very little), how long server logs and contact messages are kept, and how to ask us to delete or correct your data. - [Terms of use](https://creekrapid.com/terms-of-use): The rules for using TollSure: information only, no stalking or harassment, no guarantees of accuracy, limits on liability, and how to reach us. - [Disclaimer](https://creekrapid.com/disclaimer): TollSure gives general information, not legal or security advice, and is not connected to any carrier or agency. Includes our California Do Not Sell notice.