The 310 area code is one of the most recognizable telephone codes in the world, instantly associated with glamour, innovation, and the Pacific coast. Yet, every day in Pakistan, thousands of people receive calls or messages from numbers beginning with +1 310 and immediately wonder: “Where is this really from? Is it a scam? Who is actually calling me?” This comprehensive guide explores everything Pakistani users need to know about the 310 area code: its true geographic origin, historical background, cultural significance, why it appears so frequently in Pakistan, and how to verify calls safely.
Geographic Origin of the 310 Area Code
The 310 area code belongs exclusively to the United States and serves a specific part of Southern California. It covers western Los Angeles County and the South Bay region, including iconic places such as Santa Monica, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Culver City, and parts of Long Beach. It also includes Santa Catalina Island. In short, when someone dials from a genuine 310 area code number, they are physically (or virtually) located in one of the most affluent and influential regions on the planet.
The 310 area code was never assigned to Pakistan or any other country. Any claim suggesting that “310 is a Pakistani code” is completely false. Pakistan’s official international dialing code is +92, and its domestic area codes range from 21 (Karachi) to 91 (Balochistan mobile gateways). Therefore, every legitimate 310 area code call originates from California, USA.
Historical Background of the 310 Area Code
The 310 area code was created on November 2, 1991, when it split from the original 213 area code that had served the entire Los Angeles region since 1947. Explosive population growth, the rise of fax machines, mobile phones, and pagers in the late 1980s exhausted available numbers under 213, forcing the creation of 310.
Six years later, on January 25, 1997, another split occurred: the eastern and southeastern portions became the new 562 area code. Finally, on July 26, 2006, area code 424 was introduced as an overlay to 310, meaning both 310 and 424 now serve exactly the same geographic territory. This overlay made ten-digit dialing mandatory throughout the region.
Because of this long and stable history, the 310 area code has acquired immense prestige. Hollywood celebrities, tech startups, luxury brands, and major corporations proudly display 310 numbers, which explains why the code carries such strong recognition worldwide — including in Pakistan.
Why Do So Many Pakistanis Receive Calls from the 310 Area Code?
Despite being geographically restricted to California, the 310 area code appears disproportionately often on Pakistani phone screens for several reasons:
- Virtual Phone Services & VoIP Providers Companies like Google Voice, RingCentral, Dialpad, OpenPhone, and TextNow allow anyone in the world (including scammers in Pakistan, India, Nigeria, or elsewhere) to rent a real 310 area code number for as little as $1–$20 per month. These virtual numbers display +1 310 even when the actual caller is sitting in Lahore, Rawalpindi, or Karachi.
- Call Center & Outsourcing Industry Many U.S. companies outsource customer support and sales to Pakistan. Agents in Pakistani call centers legally use 310 area code numbers to appear local to American customers. When they accidentally (or deliberately) call Pakistani numbers for testing or personal use, the 310 code shows up.
- Overseas Pakistanis Living in Los Angeles Thousands of Pakistani-Americans live in the 310 coverage zone (especially Torrance, Hawthorne, and Artesia). When they call home to Karachi, Faisalabad, or Islamabad, their legitimate 310 numbers appear on the recipient’s screen.
- Scammers Spoofing the 310 Area Code The biggest reason for suspicion: fraudsters love to “spoof” prestigious codes like 310 because people are more likely to answer a call that looks American and trustworthy. Using cheap software, a scammer in any country can make the caller ID show any 310 number they want, even if that number belongs to someone else.
How to Tell if a 310 Area Code Call Is Genuine
Pakistani recipients can use these practical checks:
- If the caller knows personal details only a legitimate U.S. contact would know (e.g., a relative in LA or a real business partner), it’s probably genuine.
- If the caller claims to be from the IRS, Microsoft, Amazon, or a bank and demands immediate payment or remote access, it is 100% a scam — U.S. government agencies and major companies never call unsolicited from 310 numbers asking for money.
- Use Truecaller, Hiya, or ShouldIAnswer apps — they often flag known scam 310 numbers.
- Call back the number using a different phone or WhatsApp call. Scammers usually cannot receive incoming calls on spoofed numbers.
- Check the exact prefix: many scam centers repeatedly use the same blocks such as 310-299, 310-906, 310-906, etc.
Cultural and Business Significance of the 310 Area Code
In global pop culture, the 310 area code is synonymous with fame and fortune. It has appeared in countless movies, TV shows (most famously Beverly Hills 90210), and songs. For legitimate businesses, displaying a 310 number instantly conveys credibility in the American market. That prestige is exactly why scammers exploit it and why many Pakistani freelancers and exporters choose 310 virtual numbers when dealing with U.S. clients.
Current Status and Future of the 310 Area Code
As of November 2025, the combined 310/424 region is approaching number exhaustion again. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) projects that new overlay code(s) may be introduced by 2028–2030. However, existing 310 numbers will never be reassigned outside California.
Conclusion
The 310 area code belongs exclusively to a glamorous part of Los Angeles, California. It has zero official connection to Pakistan beyond the Pakistani diaspora living there and the widespread use of virtual 310 numbers by Pakistani businesses and (unfortunately) scammers. Understanding this distinction is crucial for every Pakistani phone user in today’s interconnected world.
Whenever your phone rings with a 310 area code, remember: it is almost certainly originating from (or pretending to originate from) sunny Southern California. Treat it with the same caution you would any international call, verify before trusting, and enjoy the legitimate connections it can bring from one of the most exciting regions on earth.
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FAQ – 310 Area Code Pakistan Lookup
Q1: Is the 310 area code from Pakistan?
No. The 310 area code is 100% American and serves only Los Angeles, California, USA.
Q2: Why am I getting so many calls from 310 numbers in Pakistan?
Most are either (a) scammers spoofing the number, (b) Pakistani call centers using U.S. virtual numbers, or (c) relatives/friends living in the 310 region.
Q3: Can someone in Pakistan legally own a real 310 area code number?
Yes, through VoIP providers like Dialpad, Google Voice, RingCentral, etc. The number is real and registered in the U.S., but the user can be anywhere.
Q4: How do I block all 310 calls?
In Pakistan, most phones don’t allow blocking an entire area code easily, but apps like Truecaller, Call Blacklist, or Mr. Number can help filter known spam 310 numbers.
Q5: Is every call from a 310 number a scam?
No. Many are legitimate calls from overseas Pakistanis, U.S. businesses, or friends living in California.
Q6: Which Pakistani cities get the most 310 spam calls?
Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad report the highest volume, usually because scammers buy Pakistani contact databases.
Q7: Will Pakistan ever get the 310 area code?
Impossible. Area codes under +1 are administered solely by NANPA for the U.S. and its territories.
Q8: How can I get my own 310 number in Pakistan?
Sign up with any reputable VoIP provider (Dialpad, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, etc.) and choose an available 310 number during registration.
