in movies why do they?

Question

always start with the numbers 555 when they have telephone scenes?

Answer 1

not all the time, but they do that so that people dont dial a similar number as a prank call because they saw a movie.

Answer 2

There are no 555 numbers in the United States. If they start a number with 234 or 842 it could be a real number. If people started calling me because my number was in a movie I'd get really mad.

Answer 3

Honestly, it's an arbitrary number which cannot be dialed. The problem with the few movies where real numbers are used, is fans will call the number. It cause so many problems that the 555 exchange is sort of an agreed upon non-existing exchange attached to no actual number.

Answer 4

Because it is the one sequence of numbers that had no area code or prefix. Any number recited on air is going to have people dialing it (ask the poor souls who have 867-5309) so the guaranteed number that can be enunciated quickly and go nowhere is one starting with 555.

Answer 5

Because 555 is a fake number, and they can't use (or take a chance of using) a real number because of the whole 867-5309 debacle.

Answer 6

Well, someone told me a long time ago that they use 555, because it isnt a real phone number. Not sure if thats true or what, but i do know if they put my phone number on there and some morons called me, i would be pretty pissed off. lol...

Answer 7

because a 555 number doesnt really work.

so everytime people watch a show or movie, they dont want people thinking they can call the number.

if they just picked a random number, viewers could try it and be calling houses, like yours.

Answer 8

Because these numbers don't exist in the US, so no one can use them to disturb others... nice question by the way!

Answer 9

you know why they have to because ppl would go home and call the number and ask to speak to the character.

Answer 10

because it's a fake number and the writers aren't very creative