01632 area code

Fictional locations

Several sets of non-working, dummy phone numbers for fictional use exist in the United Kingdom. They are designed for use where a realistic but undialable number is required in a drama, novel or similar work.

The 01632 area code

The area code 01632 is not allocated to any area and is reserved especially for fictional use in films, TV programmes and books.

It is recommended that numbers beginning 01632 are used wherever a realistic landline number is needed, unless a more specific block of fake numbers exists (see below).

The 01632 area code is usually followed by a random six-digit number, mimicking the style of phone numbers found in much of Britain.

Although only numbers from (01632) 960000 to 960999 are officially reserved for this purpose, other six- and five-digit numbers are sometimes seen being used after the code as it contains no working phone numbers and is unlikely to do so in the future.

Other fake landline numbers

There are also other non-working numbers set aside for major UK cities whose codes are more likely to be recognised by viewers. For example, London's 020 area code is widely-known, so a small batch of dummy 020 numbers is available for dramas and works of fiction set in the capital.

Birmingham (0121) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Bristol (0117) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Cardiff (029) 2018 0000 to 2018 0999 Edinburgh (0131) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Glasgow (0141) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Leeds (0113) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Leicester (0116) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Liverpool (0151) 496 0000 to 496 0999 London (020) 7946 0000 to 7946 0999 Manchester (0161) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham (0191) 498 0000 to 498 0999 Northern Ireland* (028) 9649 6000 to 9649 6999 Nottingham (0115) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Reading (0118) 496 0000 to 496 0999 Sheffield (0114) 496 0000 to 496 0999

* For many years, Ofcom publicised numbers starting (028) 9018 as available for fictitious use [see archived web page] but this appears to have been an error as such numbers were in fact allocated to a real phone company in 2007.

Fake mobile and business numbers

Specific batches of dummy numbers are also available for mobiles and business services.

Mobile phones 07700 900000 to 900999 Freephone 0808 157 0000 to 157 0999 Premium rate 0909 879 0000 to 879 0999 UK-wide 0306 999 0000 to 999 0999

Origins and purpose

When real, working telephone numbers have been included deliberately or accidentally in TV programmes, films or song lyrics, they have often ended up receiving high numbers of calls from curious viewers and listeners. Even where an apparently unused phone number is chosen, there is a strong risk of somebody being issued that number in the future and then receiving many unwanted calls. To avoid this, specific sets of fake but authentic-looking phone numbers are made available specifically for fictitious use.

American '555' numbers are perhaps the best-known examples, from the Simpsons' 555-3226 to the Ghostbusters' number of 555-2368. Many other countries now have similar sets of fake numbers.

Missed calls from 01632 numbers

As no 01632 numbers are in use, it is not possible to receive a genuine call from an 01632 number.

If you do receive a call that appears to have come from an 01632 number, the number being presented is either deliberately faked or displayed in error.

Be aware that caller ID is not a secure system. Callers can easily choose to change the number that is presented on caller display screens or the 1471 service. There are many legitimate reasons organisations choose to do this, but the facility can be abused by those who wish to hide their real identity.

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