Los Angeles Area Code 213 Guide

Verify phone numbers, identify scams, and explore Downtown LA covered by 213

Verified Data
FCC Official Source
Scam Alerts

213 Coverage Area

Downtown Los Angeles
Central LA, Westlake, Koreatown, Fashion District

Original Code: Shares with 323, overlays

Timezone & Local Time

Pacific Standard Time (PST)
UTC-8 / UTC-7 (DST)

LA Time: --:-- --

Scam Risk Level

HIGH RISK: 213 numbers are frequently spoofed by scammers
Learn 213 Scam Protection Free Tools
Trusted by 50,000+ users daily • Data updated December 2024

About 213 Area Code

Area code 213 serves Downtown Los Angeles and was one of the original area codes introduced in 1947. It covers the heart of LA including the central business district, entertainment areas, and historic neighborhoods like Koreatown and Westlake.

Key Facts:

  • Introduced: 1947 (Original California area code)
  • Type: Original area code, now overlaid with 323
  • Primary Use: Business, government, downtown services
  • Population Served: 4+ million LA Metro residents
LA Area Code Evolution
  • 213 (Original - 1947)
  • 818 (San Fernando - 1984)
  • 310 (West Side - 1991)
  • 323 (Overlay - 1998)
  • 747 (Latest - 2009)
  • 424 (West Side - 2006)

Common 213 Area Code Scams & Red Flags

Critical Alert: 213 is heavily targeted by scammers due to its association with LA business district and government offices.

Entertainment Industry Scams

  • Fake casting calls and audition scams
  • Bogus talent agent representation offers
  • Fraudulent movie production investments
  • Fake Hollywood insider "opportunities"

LA Government Impersonation

  • Fake LA City Hall officials
  • Fraudulent LADWP (utility) representatives
  • Bogus LA County health department calls
  • Fake LAPD or court summons threats

Financial District Fraud

  • Bank security alerts claiming fraud
  • Investment scams targeting LA professionals
  • Fake loan approval notifications
  • Real estate investment cons

Delivery & Service Scams

  • Amazon/package delivery "problems"
  • Uber/Lyft driver impersonation
  • Food delivery refund scams
  • Fake utility disconnection threats

Healthcare & Immigration Scams

  • Fake medical billing calls
  • Immigration status verification scams
  • Bogus insurance verification calls
  • Pharmacy prescription "issues"
213 Specific Warning Signs
  • Unsolicited calls claiming LA government affiliation
  • Entertainment industry "opportunities" requiring payment
  • Threats involving LA-specific services (LADWP, etc.)
  • High-pressure real estate investment offers
  • Immigration-related threats or demands

Recommended Call Protection Tools

TrueCaller Premium

Identify unknown callers and block spam calls automatically. Over 374 million users worldwide trust TrueCaller's database.

$4.99/month 7-day free trial

RoboKiller

Block 99% of spam calls and waste scammers' time with AI-powered answer bots. Award-winning spam protection.

$4.99/month Most effective

Google Voice (Free)

Get a free second phone number for calls, texts, and voicemail. Perfect for online shopping and privacy protection.

100% Free Google Account Required

Downtown LA Districts & Businesses Using 213

Area code 213 covers the heart of Los Angeles, including the central business district, government offices, and diverse cultural neighborhoods.

Financial & Business District

Major Business Areas:
  • Downtown Financial Core: Banks, law firms, corporate headquarters
  • Bunker Hill: High-rise offices, business services
  • Arts District: Creative agencies, lofts, galleries
  • Historic Core: Government offices, older businesses
Notable Companies & Organizations:
  • Los Angeles City Hall and government offices
  • Wells Fargo Center, US Bank Tower
  • Major law firms and financial services
  • Disney Concert Hall, LA Opera

Cultural & Entertainment Hub

Entertainment Areas:
  • Fashion District: Wholesale, retail, manufacturing
  • Jewelry District: Diamond trade, watch repair
  • Toy District: Wholesale toys, gifts
  • Flower Market: Wholesale flowers, events
Cultural Institutions:
  • LA Central Library
  • Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
  • The Broad Museum
  • Grand Central Market

Residential & Mixed-Use Areas

Key Neighborhoods:
  • Koreatown: Korean businesses, restaurants, services
  • Westlake: Dense residential, Latino community
  • Pico-Union: Immigrant services, community orgs
  • South Park: New residential towers, mixed-use
Services & Attractions:
  • Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena)
  • LA Convention Center
  • Union Station (transportation hub)
  • Little Tokyo cultural district

Healthcare & Education

Major Institutions:
  • USC Medical Center: Major trauma center
  • Good Samaritan Hospital: Healthcare services
  • LA Trade Tech College: Vocational education
  • Fashion Institute: Design education
Government Services:
  • Federal courthouse and offices
  • LA County government buildings
  • Social services offices
  • Immigration services

213 Business & Travel Insights

Business Communication:
  • Government offices primarily use 213
  • Legal and financial firms prefer 213
  • Established businesses maintain 213 numbers
Visitor Information:
  • Downtown LA is walkable with metro access
  • Parking can be expensive in business district
  • Many areas are safe during business hours
  • Diverse dining options in all neighborhoods

Advanced 213 Scam Protection Tools

Advanced Privacy Protection Strategies

Never Give Out Personal Info

Legitimate companies won't ask for SSN, passwords, or financial details over unsolicited 213 calls.

Take Your Time

Scammers create urgency. Real emergencies don't require immediate phone payments.

Consider a Second Number

Use Google Voice (free) or a burner number for online shopping, dating apps, and business listings.

Verify 213 Numbers

Look up 213 numbers on AreaCode.Codes before returning calls.

Report 213 Scams

Report suspicious 213 calls to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov

Two-Number Strategy

Keep your main number private. Give out your secondary number for deliveries, rentals, and online accounts.

Pro Tip: The Two-Number Privacy System

Number A (Private): Family, close friends, work, bank, medical

Number B (Public): Online shopping, dating apps, food delivery, social media, business listings

About 20% of Americans use this strategy. Popular options: Google Voice (free), carrier second lines ($10-20/month), or dual-SIM phones.

Official Resources & Data Sources

All 213 area code information sourced from NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administration) and FCC public records. Scam data compiled from FTC reports and LA government alerts.