Why do phone numbers in movies use "555" as the exchange part of the number?
by 
Egao No Genki
ANSWERS: 17
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I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that there aren't any real telephone numbers that begin with '555.'
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555 isn't a real phone number, so movie makers are ensuring that they do not give out a genuine phone number in a movie. Imagine the potential for litigation if they did give out a genuine number!
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In 1994, the North American Numbering Plan Administration began accepting applications for nationwide 555 numbers (outside the fictitious 555-01XX range). This would mean that a consumer from any area code could dial a seven-digit number such as 555-TACO, and the owners of that number could connect the call to the taco vendor nearest to the consumer. However, according to a 2003 New York Times article, the desired functionality requires the cooperation of local phone authorities, and most phone vendors have been reluctant to cooperate, perhaps wary of undermining the lucrative business of selling toll-free telephone numbers. Despite the fact that the service is virtually unavailable so far, most of the available 555 numbers have already been reserved.
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They don't want viewers to attempt to call any real numbers.
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Because until recently that was a fictitious area code/prefix. But recently I noticed a legitimate insurance company that uses it too. Weird.
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because some people may try & give them a call , u know
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Because the writers are absolute idiots and think the audience is so stupid as to not notice. 555 numbers of course will dial directory assistance instead of reaching an actual person who might potentially sue the film company if the received tons of crank calls. But there are many other techniques, including obscuring part of the sound so the audience misses one or more digits, or starting the number with "1" so 7 digits is not a complete number.
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Wow--and we're supposed to be the INTELLIGENT of the animal species!!!!!!
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Because it's a fictitious number and they don't want viewers who may, on a whim, try to call an actual number.
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because there are people out there who would probably try to call any other number that was given on a show. the only real 555 number I know of is 555-1212 which is information. You know how silly people can be these days!
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That's too funny that you noticed that too. I was telling my chic that very same thing a while back, then she noticed too. I don't know why that is but it's always 555-....THAT IS TOO FUNNY!!!
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Because when they casually used real numbers, back in the day, real people use to get real phone calls, and would get really pissed off.
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Remember this: 634 5789 not a 555 no# -Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, and Jonny Lang appeared in the 1998 movie Blues Brothers 2000 and performed "634-5789". Floyd and Pickett played the proprietors of "Ed's Love Exchange," which according to the storyline in the movie can be reached at 1-900-634-5789.
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Because 666 is a devil of a thing to say quickly.
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Are you serious.
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Because I think the real owner of 867-5309 went insane yo...
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They are TRYING to AVOID having real numbers called ...+5
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