Virginia · Eastern Time  Updated July 2026

Area Code 686

Richmond and surrounding communities

Area code 686 serves Richmond, Virginia and communities including Amelia Court House, Ashland, Aylett and more. Every city it covers is listed below, with who-called help, the live local time and the full prefix registry.

Getting calls from a 686 number? The code is legit, but spoofing is common. Look up the prefix ›
Largest cityRichmond
Local time3:00 AM ET
Nearby804 · 757 · 434
Since2024
Call now?Late in Richmond. Consider texting

Who Called Me from Area Code 686?

Quick answerA 686 call usually comes from Richmond or nearby communities, but caller ID can be spoofed, so a local-looking number isn’t proof. If there’s no voicemail, let it go: legitimate callers leave messages.
  • No voicemail? Let it go. Real callers leave messages.
  • Recognize the pattern? Check the number in the prefix lookup.
  • Getting repeats? ActiveArmor® blocks and labels them automatically.
  • Same prefix calling again? Compare it against this month’s most-reported 686 prefixes, right on this page.
  • Curious who issued a number? Every 686 prefix belongs to a carrier — the registry names it.
Been targeted?Report the call at reportfraud.ftc.gov — reports feed the complaint data that powers spam blocking, including the board on this page. AT&T customers already have ActiveArmor® screening built in.
Most-reported 686 prefixes this month
PrefixReported patternReport volume
(686) 203-XXXXRobocall-heavy
(686) 207-XXXXRobocall-heavy
(686) 210-XXXXRobocall-heavy

7 unwanted-call reports naming 686 numbers in FTC Do Not Call complaint data, July 2–17, 2026. Consumer-reported and unverified.

Block spam calls in the 686, included with AT&T wireless

AT&T ActiveArmor® is the network-level security that screens the calls this page is about:

  • Fraud calls blocked automatically on the network
  • Suspected spam labeled before you answer
  • Caller ID & custom call blocking in the free app
  • Reverse number lookup (available with ActiveArmor Advanced security. Fee required.)
  • Identity monitoring & identity theft insurance (available with ActiveArmor Advanced security. Fee required.)

Included with AT&T wireless plans. Requires compatible device/service and download of the AT&T ActiveArmor® app. Other terms & restrictions apply. May not detect all threats and may block wanted calls. Some features require Advanced mobile security ($7/mo.). See terms.

See how ActiveArmor worksIncluded with the free 30-day AT&T Wireless trial
Try AT&T Wireless free for 30 daysDownload the AT&T app, activate a trial eSIM in minutes, and run our network side by side with your current service. No credit card, keep your number.
  • 100GB of data plus 25GB hotspot
  • Unlimited talk & text in the U.S., Canada and Mexico
  • Texting from the U.S. to 200+ countries & territories
  • Access to the AT&T 5G network
Start your free trialCompatible iPhone required. 5G requires a compatible plan and device; coverage not available everywhere. Terms & restrictions apply.
Offer details

Service good for 30 days. Data: Limited to 100GB of data and 25GB of hotspot data. No additional data is available after limit is reached. Video is limited to SD quality. Talk & Text: Includes unlimited talk & text within the U.S. and unlimited text from the U.S. to over 230 countries. Limits: One trial per user. An unlocked, dual eSIM iPhone is required. You’ll receive a trial phone number that belongs to AT&T and is not available to be ported to another carrier or otherwise retained. Trial plan features and details may differ from or be unavailable in other AT&T plans. U.S. only. All terms subject to change at any time.

Is Area Code 686 a Scam?

No. 686 is a legitimate Richmond area code.

It’s added to the 804 region in 2024 and serves Richmond and surrounding communities. But legitimacy of the code says nothing about any single call. Scammers spoof local numbers constantly.

The code is realAdded to the 804 region in 2024; 25 assigned carrier prefixes serve it today.
Spoofing happens“Neighbor spoofing” fakes local numbers. No voicemail? Let it go.
Screening includedActiveArmor® labels and blocks suspected spam. Included with AT&T wireless plans.

Been targeted? Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Reports feed the complaint data that powers spam blocking.

Scam texts from area code 686 numbers

The most common area code 686 text scam is the “wrong number” opener: a friendly message that pretends to know you, then moves the chat to WhatsApp and eventually to an investment pitch. Scripts currently circulating:

  • “U at home?” · “Are you busy tomorrow?” · “How are you doing?”
  • Delivery-problem and job-offer texts that link out to a login page

Don’t reply. A response marks your number as live. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), and AT&T ActiveArmor® filters known senders automatically.

How number spoofing works in area code 686

Caller ID is easy to forge. Spoofing fakes the number a call displays. The real owner of that 686 number isn’t involved and usually has no idea. That’s why blocking one number rarely stops the calls.

  • A call from a number almost identical to yours (same 686 and prefix) is “mirror spoofing.” A missed call from your own number is never worth returning.
  • Strangers calling you back saying you called them? Your 686 number is being spoofed. It typically passes within days, and you don’t need a new number. Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  • The caller-ID checkmark: AT&T verifies network calls (STIR/SHAKEN). A verified mark means the displayed number wasn’t faked. No mark doesn’t always mean scam, but treat it with more caution.

Spoofed or not, the rule holds: unexpected caller, no voicemail? Let it go.

686 Area Code Prefix & Carrier Lookup

The three digits after the area code identify the carrier a number was issued to. All 25 assigned 686 prefixes below are real, from the public numbering registry. Type to filter.

This isn’t a reverse phone lookup: no legitimate free service can tell you who owns a specific number. What a 686 prefix does show: the carrier that issued it, whether it’s wireless, landline or VoIP, and the community it belongs to, which is often enough to judge whether a call was worth returning.

25 prefixes · updated monthly
PrefixCarrierLine type
686-200AT&T MobilityWireless
686-201AT&T LocalLandline
686-202T-Mobile (Omnipoint)Landline
686-203Verizon WirelessWireless
686-204AT&T MobilityWireless
686-205AT&T MobilityWireless
686-206AT&T MobilityWireless
686-207Ringer MobileWireless
686-208Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-209WavenationLandline
686-210Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-212AT&T MobilityWireless
686-213Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-214AT&T MobilityWireless
686-215Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-222Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-333Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-444Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-465Exiant CommunicationsLandline
686-529Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-666Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-686Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-777Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP
686-888Wide VoiceLandline
686-999Onvoy (Sinch)VoIP

Line type reflects the registry assignment; ported numbers can differ. Unknown 686 number calling? ActiveArmor® screens it before you ever look it up.

Cities & Communities in and around Area Code 686

Communities the 686 serves, filtered against the numbering registry’s rate centers, with each community’s key ZIP codes and the AT&T home internet available there. Cities link to their local AT&T internet page.

City / communityKey ZIP codesAT&T internet
Amelia Court House23002, 23083Internet Air
Ashland23005, 23047, 23059Internet Air
Bowling Green22514, 22427, 22580Internet Air
Chester23831, 23237, 23834Internet Air
Colonial Beach20645, 22448, 22443Internet Air
Colonial Heights23834, 23801, 23803Internet Air
Cumberland23040Internet Air
Deltaville23043, 23070, 23066Internet Air
Dillwyn23936Internet Air
Dinwiddie23841, 23840, 23885Internet Air
Disputanta23842, 23891, 23875Internet Air
Glen Allen23060, 23228, 23294Internet Air
Goochland23102, 23063, 23160Internet Air
Heathsville22473, 22511, 22435Internet Air
Hopewell23860, 23801, 23836Internet Air
King William23086, 23177, 23161Internet Air
Mathews23109, 23076, 23025Internet Air
Mc KenneyInternet Air

City list: AT&T service-area records and the public numbering registry. Key ZIPs: U.S. Census data for each community. Internet type: AT&T eligibility data, June 2026. Availability is always confirmed at your exact address.

686 Area Code Map

Area code 686 serves Richmond and nearby communities in VA.

Map of area code 686 coverage in Virginia↓  Printable PDF

Open the printable 686 map (PDF) · All Virginia area codes · Home internet in Richmond

Counties Covered by the 686 Area Code

Chesterfield County
Share of combined population25%
Population364,548
Largest 686 cityChester
Henrico County
Share of combined population23%
Population334,389
Largest 686 cityGlen Allen
City of Richmond
Share of combined population16%
Population226,610
Largest 686 cityRichmond
Hanover County
Share of combined population8%
Population109,979
Largest 686 cityAshland

Counties are served in whole or in part; population is U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023. The 686 also reaches parts of Prince George County, City of Petersburg, Caroline County, Powhatan County, Dinwiddie County, Goochland County, City of Hopewell, New Kent County and 13 more.

The 686, explained

Area Code 686: More Than a Number in Richmond

In Richmond, the 686 is more than digits on a caller ID. It arrived in 2024, layered onto the 804 region, and it has meant Richmond and surrounding communities ever since — 25 carrier prefixes keep its lines busy today, and an established 686 number still says you’ve been here a while.

The map tells its own story: Richmond and surrounding communities, with 804 sharing the same streets today. Several codes, one local calling area, no long-distance between any of them — only the 686 came first.

Keeping a 686 matters here. An existing 686 number ports to a new phone, a new carrier, or a new AT&T line, and stays yours anywhere in the U.S. New lines in the area often draw 804 instead — one more reason locals hold on to theirs.

Need a new local number? Shop plans Keep your 686: bring it to AT&T

Internet, wireless & stores in the 686

AT&T Home Internet in Area Code 686

AT&T home internet serves communities across area code 686, with AT&T Fiber where it’s built and AT&T Internet Air covering the gaps. Availability is decided address by address; every community in the table above links to its local internet page.

No data capsNo annual contractNo equipment fees

AT&T Fiber: Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds vary. For 5-GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info., visit att.com/speed101. AT&T Internet Air: AT&T Internet Air not available in all areas. In rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a minimum of 30 min.

Pair it with wireless in an internet + wireless bundle. Run a business in the 686? AT&T Business Internet is available at many addresses.

Family streaming together on AT&T home internet
Fiber install day in the 686Check your address ›

Moving to Area Code 686?

Set up home internet in area code 686 before the boxes arrive, and find your new community in the table above or check your exact address below.

Your number moves with you: port your 686 number from anywhere, or keep your old number when you arrive. An AT&T store nearby can handle the whole switch in one visit.

1 · Check your addressSee Fiber or Internet Air availability in seconds.
2 · Schedule for move-in dayInstall lined up before the boxes arrive.
3 · Keep your numberYour mobile number ports; your internet moves.
Couple setting up internet on a laptop among moving boxes
Get set up before move-in dayPlan your move ›

AT&T Wireless in Area Code 686

AT&T’s 5G network covers most of area code 686. ActiveArmor® spam blocking is included with every unlimited plan, your 686 number stays yours, and great cell phone deals in Richmond are a tap away.

5G across the 686ActiveArmor® includedKeep your 686 number

AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy. 5G req’s compatible plan & device. Coverage not available everywhere. Learn more at att.com/5Gforyou.

Need a new 686 number? Ask when you activate a line: the 686 shares its territory with 804, so new lines may draw one of those codes, and porting an existing 686 number keeps it yours.

See the AT&T wireless coverage map for the 686 ›

Woman smiling at her phone on an Richmond street
Stay connected across RichmondShop wireless plans ›

AT&T Stores in Area Code 686

Looking for cell phone stores in area code 686? These stores serve the 686 area — walk in for switching, porting, upgrades and hands-on help. (The 686 is new enough that most local stores still answer on longer-established numbers.)

Every AT&T store in the region, company owned and authorized retailer alike, each with its own store page.

AT&T store employee helping a customer with her phone
Real help from real people in RichmondFind your store ›

All AT&T Stores Serving the 686 Area

Every AT&T store serving the 686’s communities. Tap any number to call.

12 AT&T locations serving the 686 area

International Calling from Area Code 686

Calling abroad from area code 686? AT&T International Calling adds discounted or unlimited rates to 200+ countries on top of your existing plan, and unlimited texting from the U.S. to 200+ destinations is already included on AT&T unlimited plans.

Where the 686 calls most:El SalvadorIndiaMexicoKoreaPhilippines

Top places of birth among foreign-born residents of the 686’s counties, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023.

Calling abroad from a 686 number: dial 011 + country code + number (or just + on a mobile). Traveling abroad instead? International Day Pass® takes your talk, text and data with you for a flat daily rate.

International Calling and International Day Pass® availability, rates and included destinations vary by plan; see att.com for the current country list.

Father and son waving during a video call with family abroad
Richmond calls the worldSee international plans ›

686 Area Code Quick Facts & Dialing

Time zoneEastern
Overlays804share this territory
Established2024added to the 804 region
Dialing10 digitsrequired
Toll-free?Nogeographic code
Population1.44Mcounties served, Census 2023

How to dial a 686 number

ScenarioFormatExample
Local call (within the region)686 + 7-digit number(686) 555-0100
Long distance (within the U.S.)1 + 686 + 7-digit number1 (686) 555-0100
Calling 686 from another country+1 686 + 7-digit number+1 686 555 0100
From a mobile phone(686) + 7-digit number(686) 555-0100

A Short History of Area Code 686

Added in 2024 to the 804 region, the 686 serves Richmond and surrounding communities. No splits or overlays have divided its territory since.

2024Added to the 804 region

In service since 2024. Today the 686’s territory is shared with overlay code 804, so ten-digit dialing is required.

Nearby & Related Area Codes

Browse area codes by state: Virginia (10) · California (41) · Texas (29) · Florida (23) · all 50 states ›

Area Code 686 FAQ

What area code is 686?
686 is the area code for Richmond, Virginia and the surrounding communities. It appears at the front of every local 10-digit phone number in the area.
Where is area code 686?
Area code 686 serves Richmond, Virginia and nearby communities including Amelia Court House, Ashland, Aylett. The full city list is in the cities table above.
Why did I get a text message from a 686 number?
The most common 686 text scam opens like a wrong number (“u at home?”, “are you busy tomorrow?”) and tries to move you to WhatsApp. Don’t reply. Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and delete it. AT&T ActiveArmor® filters known scam senders automatically.
Who called me from area code 686?
A 686 number usually means Richmond or a nearby community, but spoofing is common. This page’s prefix lookup isn’t a reverse phone lookup — it can’t name the caller, but it shows the carrier, line type and community a number was issued to, which is often enough to judge a call.
What time zone is area code 686?
Eastern time. The live local time is shown at the top of this page.
Why am I getting calls from 686 numbers?
686 is an active, legitimate Virginia area code, but scammers spoof local numbers because people answer them. If there’s no voicemail, let it go. AT&T ActiveArmor® blocks and labels spam automatically, and you can report unwanted calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The spam report board above shows which 686 prefixes are drawing complaints right now.
Is 686 a toll-free number?
No. 686 is a geographic area code tied to Richmond, Virginia. Toll-free calls come from 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 numbers.
What’s the difference between 686 and 804?
Nothing on the map: 686 is an overlay of 804, covering the same Richmond area. Calls between them are local; only the three digits at the front differ.
Which cities use area code 686?
The largest communities include Amelia Court House, Ashland, Bowling Green, Chester, Colonial Beach. The full list is in the cities table above.
Does AT&T offer service in the 686?
Yes: home internet, wireless and retail stores across the 686. Availability is checked address by address.
Can I still get a 686 number?
Yes. Carriers in Richmond and across the 686 still issue 686 numbers on new lines, and you can port an existing 686 number to any carrier. Newer lines in the same area may also receive numbers from an overlay code.
Can I keep my 686 number if I move?
Yes. Phone numbers are portable: your 686 number can move with you anywhere in the U.S., whether you stay with your carrier or switch.
Sources: city and store data from AT&T records; prefix and carrier assignments from the public numbering registry (pulled July 2026). Facts regenerate monthly.
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