Nov 5, 2009 6:20 pm US/Central
Chicago Prepares For Extra Area Code: 872
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Starting on Saturday, if you dial a phone number in the city you might not make a connection. That is, unless you make a significant change. Chicago is getting a new area code: 872, because we're running of phone numbers that begin with 312 or 773.
We are numbers crazy: pin codes and passwords to pay bills, and to look up our bank balances. We have multiple area codes in the Chicago area.
Now, add another three digits to the numerical mix.
"One more number for us," said a woman on Michigan Avenue Tuesday.
The new area code will overlap areas covered by 312 and 773, so you could be downtown with an 872 phone number, or on the northwest side.
You might think that it will not be that difficult. After all, many of us have cell phones and we can simply program in the new numbers.
But here's a snag: because 872 will overlap the 312 and 773 parts of the city, you will now have to dial 11 digits, even if you're calling someone within the same area code.
"It's kind of a bummer," said another woman downtown.
You will also need to get to work on phone directory.
"You're going to want to edit your phone book if you're calling from the same area code. You're going to want to put that area code in there," said Robert Murphy of the Wireless Now cell phone store on Broadway.
The good news is if you already have a 312 or 773 phone number you'll get to keep it.
And don't stress out over all the numbers in your life, according to Dr. Shellie Williams, a physician with the University of Chicago Memory Clinic.
"I think sometimes it's hard for me to remember all of my codes and I'm often times recalling them," Dr. Williams said. "Keep things in a central location, underneath a desk pad, or on the refrigerator or flipped over on a card. That way you're able to access it when you need and it's not available to the public to see your codes."
Here's one more task: don't forget to reprogram the numbers you have stored in your fax machine.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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