Why do films always use 555 in phone numbers?

Because 555 is a neutral code. It does not exist in the North American Dialing Network.
The only number that uses it, by convention is 1-area code-555-1212 for obtaining information in a different area

2007-02-08 04:00:57 · answer #1 · answered by Chief BaggageSmasher 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋

Because "555" is not a real exchange in any area code in the United States(at least).
So when a phone number is needed they sometimes use a real area code (say 212-New York) and then 555 and then the extension.
212-555-6393

If you try calling it, you won't get through because its an invalid number sequence.
I think the same holds true for toll free numbers (800, 888, 866) none of them are followed by 555.
This is also true on TV shows.

There are a few instances on TV at least where the 555 isn't used (one I recall is an Episode of the Brady Bunch where Jan made up her imaginary boyfriend George Glass, she had called the operator and asked the operator to call back at a number...)

2007-02-08 04:08:01 · answer #2 · answered by Just Cub 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋

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They're playing safe. There have been cases in the past where a number was mentioned in a show, and people (having little sense, yes. I know) tried calling the number, and actually rang somebody's telephone. The 555- prefix is not found in any regular phone number except for directory assistance, which as we all know is 555-1212 Thus, no matter what numbers you put after it, dialing any number starting with 555 will be a non-existent number. No worry about waking somebody up or tying up their phone line with pranksters.

2016-04-13 01:49:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋

They do this in case some saddo trys to phone a number they hear in a movie or on tv and some poor person gets weird phone calls, they use 555 at the beginning because there are no numbers in the states that start with 555, therefore they cannot get through to any private lines.