Try this in the On Got Focus event for your phone number.

Phone.InputMask = "(555)" & "000-0000"
Phone.SelStart = 5

Replace 555 with your default area code.
Note: SelStart is needed if you tab to the field (you don't see the input mask unless you press a key on the keyboard. Give this a try.)

You're welcome.

Hey Kevin..  thank you for your reply .. it works when the field gets focus .. however it does not save the area code to the table only the seven digits.. so even if it shows the full phone number .. when I close and reopen the record it only displays the 7 digits.. if I click into the field again it shows the area code

this works..
In the input mask property of the field use : \(999") "000\-0000;;_

In the GotFocus use this code:

If IsNull(Me.yourPhoneField) Then
        yourPhoneField.Value = "(555)"
        yourPhoneField.SelStart = 5
End If
    yourPhoneField.InputMask = "(000)000-0000"