01496 Area Code — Port Ellen, UK

01496 is the UK dialling code for Port Ellen in Argyll and Bute, allocated by Ofcom under the National Telephone Numbering Plan. Our database has tracked 1 distinct 01496 numbers across 2 public lookups.

Quick facts

About the 01496 dialling code

01496 is the UK geographic dialling code for Port Ellen, allocated by Ofcom under the National Telephone Numbering Plan. It is used by landlines — and increasingly VoIP lines — registered to the Port Ellen area.

A full Port Ellen number is normally written as 01496 XXXXXX. You can dial the local part on its own from within the same area, or the full number from anywhere in the UK.

Because of UK number portability and internet calling, a 01496 number no longer guarantees the caller is physically in Port Ellen. Fraudsters also "spoof" local codes like 01496 so an unknown call looks like a nearby business or neighbour — so treat an unexpected call on what is actually said, not on the area code alone.

Map of the 01496 dialling area

The marker shows Port Ellen; the shaded circle is an approximate indication of the area the 01496 code serves — exact Ofcom charging-area boundaries are irregular and don't follow a neat radius.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. View larger map

Calling 01496 from abroad

From outside the UK, dial your international access prefix, then the UK country code 44, then 1496 (the area code without its leading zero) and the local number.

History of the 01496 code

The code was 0496 until PhONEday, 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted after the leading zero to create 01496.

Top searched 01496 numbers

These are the 01496 numbers most-looked-up by visitors to our number checker. Click any number to see its full lookup page with risk-level, range holder, and community reports.

Is a call from 01496 safe?

Most 01496 calls are ordinary local calls from Port Ellen homes and businesses. The main risk to be aware of is "neighbour spoofing", where a scammer fakes a local 01496 prefix so you are more likely to answer. Never share bank details, passwords or one-time security codes with an unexpected caller, even when the number looks local — hang up and call the organisation back on a number you have verified yourself.

To call a 01496 (Port Ellen) number from outside the UK, drop the leading zero and dial +44 1496 followed by the local number.

Operators serving Port Ellen

These UK communications providers have been allocated 01496 number blocks by Ofcom. The number of blocks per operator gives a rough sense of how widely each provider serves this area.

Ofcom number ranges on 01496

Ofcom's National Numbering Plan lists 451 number blocks under 01496, of which 92 are allocated to 81 communications providers. The first allocated blocks are shown below — look up any full number with the number checker to see its exact range holder.

Showing 12 of 92 allocated blocks. Source: Ofcom telephone numbering data, updated weekly.

How to block and report 01496 spam calls

Block or report 01496

• You can block 01496 directly from your recent-calls list on iPhone or Android, and forward scam texts free to 7726.
• Scam or fraud calls should be reported to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) or Police Scotland (101); persistent marketing calls to the ICO / TPS.

Full step-by-step instructions for every phone, network-level blocking and all UK reporting routes are in our guide: How to block and report unwanted calls in the UK.

Frequently asked questions about the 01496 code

Neighbouring dialling codes

Codes covering areas around Port Ellen — useful when a caller is nearby but outside the 01496 boundary.

Living in or moving to Port Ellen?

Our free postcode reports cover house prices, crime, broadband and schools for the districts around Port Ellen.

Check another UK number

Have the full 10- or 11-digit number? The UK Phone Number Checker shows the Ofcom range holder, risk level, and any community reports for that specific number.