Decoding the +96 Country Code: A Comprehensive Guide to the Middle East Block and How to Handle Its Calls

Introduction: The Mystery of the “0096” Call and What It Really Means

 

An unexpected missed call from an unfamiliar international number can be perplexing and, for many, concerning. A common source of this confusion for individuals in the United States involves calls that appear to originate from a number starting with “0096” or, more accurately, +96. This report serves as a definitive guide for the U.S. audience to understand these calls, demystifying their origin, explaining how to communicate with these regions legitimately, and providing a critical security briefing on the prevalent phone scams associated with this specific block of numbers.

The first and most crucial point of clarification involves the number format itself. In the globally standardized system for telephone numbers, known as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) E.164 standard, there is no country assigned the code “0096”. The confusion arises from a misunderstanding of international dialing protocols. The  

+ symbol is the universal character representing the international access code, or “exit code,” required to dial out of a country. When dialing from a mobile phone, this  

+ symbol automatically translates to the correct exit code for whatever country the caller is in.

For those in the United States, Canada, and other territories within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), the specific exit code is 011. Therefore, a call from a country with a code like  

+966 would be initiated from a U.S. landline by dialing 011-966 followed by the local number. The “00” prefix is a common exit code in many European and Asian countries but is not used when dialing from the U.S..  

The prefix +96 is not a country code in itself but rather the beginning of a series of three-digit codes assigned to a group of nine countries located primarily in West and South Asia. This report will first identify each of these nations, providing a clear roster for quick identification. It will then offer a practical guide for U.S. callers, detailing dialing procedures and the complex time zone differences. Finally, and most critically, it will provide an in-depth analysis of the significant security threats and sophisticated phone scams that frequently originate from this region, equipping consumers with the knowledge to protect themselves.  

 

Part I: The +96x International Country Code Roster: Who’s Calling?

 

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organizes the world’s telephone network into nine “World Numbering Zones.” The +96x country codes fall within Zone 9, which encompasses a vast area including West, Central, and South Asia, as well as parts of Southern Europe. It is important to distinguish this block from nearby codes that are often confused with it, such as  

+92 for Pakistan, +93 for Afghanistan, or the adjacent +97x block, which includes countries like the United Arab Emirates (+971), Israel (+972), and Qatar (+974). These numbering systems are exclusively for telecommunications and should not be confused with other systems like barcode country codes, which serve an entirely different purpose for product identification.  

For immediate identification, the following table provides a quick-reference guide to the nine countries that use a country code beginning with +96.

 

Detailed Roster of +96x Countries

 

The +96x block is composed of the following nations, each with a unique three-digit identifier :  

• +960: Maldives
• +961: Lebanon
• +962: Jordan
• +963: Syria
• +964: Iraq
• +965: Kuwait
• +966: Saudi Arabia
• +967: Yemen
• +968: Oman

 

Historical and Unused Codes

 

A comprehensive understanding of the numbering plan also involves recognizing codes that are no longer in service. These historical footnotes illustrate the dynamic nature of the global telecommunication network, which often adapts to geopolitical changes.

• +969: This code was once assigned to the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, commonly known as South Yemen. Following the unification of North Yemen (which used +967) and South Yemen in 1990, the +969 code was decommissioned. All telecommunications for the unified Republic of Yemen are now routed through the +967 country code.  
• +978: While not part of the +96x block, this code’s history is relevant to the region. It was originally assigned to the Emirate of Dubai. However, it is now unused, as all calls to Dubai and the other six emirates are consolidated under the United Arab Emirates’ single country code, +971.  

 

Part II: A Practical Guide for the U.S. Caller: Connecting to the +96x Region

 

For Americans needing to make legitimate personal or business calls to countries in the +96x block, understanding the correct dialing procedures and navigating the significant time differences is essential. This section provides a practical, U.S.-centric guide to successful communication.

 

How to Dial from the U.S.

 

Making an international call from the United States requires a different format than domestic calls. The U.S. is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), a closed system where all numbers share the country code +1 and follow a predictable 10-digit structure of a three-digit area code and a seven-digit local number. International numbers, however, follow the open E.164 standard, with variable lengths and distinct country codes.  

This structural difference is a common point of confusion. While a U.S. user is accustomed to +1 being the country code, a code like +966 serves the exact same function for Saudi Arabia. Failing to recognize this and not using the U.S. exit code will result in a failed call.

To successfully connect to a number in the +96x region from the United States, follow this two-step formula:

1. Dial the U.S. International Access Code (Exit Code): From any landline or mobile phone in the U.S., you must first dial 011. This signals to the network that you are making an international call.  
2. Dial the Country Code and Local Number: Immediately after the exit code, dial the full country code (e.g., 966 for Saudi Arabia) followed by the complete local phone number.  

Example: To call a number in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (+966), from the U.S., you would dial: 011-966-XXX-XXXXXXX.

For modern smartphone users, there is a more convenient method:

• Using the + Symbol: Press and hold the 0 key on your phone’s keypad until the + symbol appears. This symbol acts as a universal substitute for the exit code. Then, simply dial the country code and the local number.  

Example: On a mobile phone, the same call to Riyadh could be dialed as: +966-XXX-XXXXXXX.

 

Navigating Time Zones: When to Call

 

One of the greatest practical challenges in communicating with this region is the substantial time difference. All countries in the +96x block are between 7 and 10 hours ahead of the U.S. Eastern Time Zone, depending on the specific country and whether the U.S. is observing Daylight Saving Time (DST). Miscalculating the time can lead to calls made in the middle of the night.

The following table provides a quick conversion guide from U.S. Eastern Time (ET) to the local times in the +96x countries. Note that this table accounts for the fact that most of these countries do not observe DST, while the U.S. does.

 

Country-Specific Time Zone Analysis

 

Beyond the general conversion, several countries have unique timekeeping policies that reflect their political, cultural, and economic priorities. Understanding these nuances is key for precise scheduling.

• The Arabian Standard Time (AST) Bloc (UTC+3): A significant number of countries in this block have aligned on a single time zone: Arabia Standard Time, which is three hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+3). This group includes Saudi Arabia (+966), Iraq (+964), Kuwait (+965), Yemen (+967), Jordan (+962), and Syria (+963). A critical feature of AST is that these countries  

  do not observe Daylight Saving Time. This simplifies calculations during half of the year but means the time difference with the U.S. changes when the U.S. springs forward or falls back. The time difference from the U.S. East Coast is 7 hours during Daylight Time (EDT) and 8 hours during Standard Time (EST). This standardization on UTC+3 without DST facilitates seamless business and political coordination among these neighboring Gulf and Levantine nations.  
• Lebanon (+961): The DST Outlier: Lebanon stands apart from its immediate neighbors by adhering to a European time standard. It observes Eastern European Time (EET) at UTC+2 during winter and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) at UTC+3 during summer. Lebanon’s observance of DST, which reflects its historical and cultural ties to Europe, means its time difference with the U.S. can fluctuate. Typically, Beirut is 7 hours ahead of New York during EDT and 8 hours ahead during EST, though this can vary during the brief periods when one country has changed its clocks and the other has not.  
• Oman (+968): Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4): The Sultanate of Oman operates on Gulf Standard Time, which is UTC+4, placing it one hour ahead of the AST bloc. Like its neighbors in the AST zone, Oman does not observe DST. This results in a constant time difference of 8 hours from the U.S. East Coast during EDT and 9 hours during EST.  
• The Maldives (+960): Official vs. “Island Time” (MVT, UTC+5): The Maldives presents a unique and fascinating case driven entirely by its tourism-based economy. Officially, the entire nation runs on Maldives Time (MVT) at UTC+5. However, a widespread and unofficial practice known as “Island Time” or “Resort Time” exists. Many luxury tourist resorts unilaterally set their own clocks one to two hours ahead of the capital, Malé. This is a purely commercial decision designed to maximize the amount of evening sunlight available to guests, allowing for later dinners and sunset activities in a country near the equator where daylight hours are relatively constant year-round. For any traveler, it is crucial to confirm the specific time zone of their resort, as it may differ from the official national time. The official time difference from the U.S. East Coast is 9 hours during EDT and 10 hours during EST.  

 

At-a-Glance Country Profiles

 

For further context, here is a brief summary of other practical details for each country:

• Maldives (+960): Official Language: Dhivehi. Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).  
• Lebanon (+961): Official Languages: Arabic, French, English. Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP).  
• Jordan (+962): Capital: Amman. Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD).  
• Syria (+963): Capital: Damascus. Currency: Syrian Pound (SYP).  
• Iraq (+964): Official Languages: Arabic, Kurdish. Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD).  
• Kuwait (+965): Official Language: Arabic. Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD).  
• Saudi Arabia (+966): Capital: Riyadh. Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR).  
• Yemen (+967): Official Language: Arabic. Currency: Yemeni Rial (YER).  
• Oman (+968): Capital: Muscat. Currency: Omani Rial (OMR).  
• Palestine (+970): While not a +96x code, it is geographically and politically linked. It uses the Israeli New Shekel (ILS), Jordanian Dinar (JOD), and Egyptian Pound (EGP). Official language is Arabic. Its proclaimed capital is Jerusalem, with Ramallah as the administrative center.  

 

Part III: The Threat Landscape: Scams from the +96x Block and Consumer Protection

 

While legitimate communication with the +96x region is common, these country codes are also frequently exploited by criminals for a wide range of telephone-based scams. This section transitions from an informational guide to a critical consumer protection advisory, dissecting the most common threats and outlining a robust defense strategy based on guidance from U.S. federal agencies.

 

The Scale of the Problem

 

The threat of phone scams is not a niche issue; it is a pervasive problem affecting nearly every American. A recent survey revealed that a staggering 96% of U.S. adults receive at least one scam attempt every week via phone call, email, or text message. The financial consequences are immense, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reporting that Americans lost nearly $1 billion to phone scams in 2024 alone. International numbers, including those from the  

+96x block, are a significant part of this criminal ecosystem.

 

Anatomy of a Scam: Common Tactics

 

Scammers use a variety of psychological tactics and technical tricks designed to inspire fear, curiosity, or trust to manipulate their victims into sending money or divulging personal information.  

 

The “Wangiri” (One-Ring) Scam

 

 

This is one of the most common scams associated with international numbers. The name “Wangiri” is Japanese for “one-ring-and-cut,” which perfectly describes the mechanism.  

• The Mechanism: Scammers use automated dialing software to place thousands of calls to a list of numbers. The phone rings just once—long enough to register as a missed call on the recipient’s device—and then disconnects.  
• The Goal: The entire scam hinges on human curiosity. The scammer hopes the victim will see the missed call from an unknown international number and call back to find out who it was. The number they are calling back is not a standard line but a premium-rate number, similar to a 900-number in the U.S..  
• The Trap: When the victim calls back, they are charged exorbitant per-minute rates for an international call. The scammers receive a share of these fees from the telecom provider that owns the premium number. To maximize their profit, they employ audio lures to keep the victim on the line for as long as possible. These can include recorded messages like, “Hello? I can’t hear you, please call back,” or enticing prompts such as, “You’ve received a song from a secret admirer. Listen to the end to find out who sent it”.  

 

Impersonation Scams

 

A more direct form of fraud involves the scammer actively engaging with the victim while pretending to be someone from a trusted organization.  

• Government and Law Enforcement Impersonation: Scammers frequently pose as officials from agencies like the IRS, the FBI, local police departments, or even international cyber-crime units. They will invent a fake violation—such as unpaid taxes, a traffic fine, or illegal online activity—and threaten the victim with arrest, deportation, or massive fines if an immediate payment is not made. Real law enforcement and federal agencies will not initiate contact by phone to demand money or threaten arrest.  
• Bank and Corporate Impersonation: In this variant, the scammer claims to be from the victim’s bank, a credit card company, or a major tech corporation like Apple or Microsoft. They will often create a sense of urgency by reporting a fake fraud alert or a virus on the victim’s computer. Their goal is to trick the person into revealing sensitive information like online banking passwords, Social Security numbers, or the one-time security passcodes sent to their phone.  
• Family Emergency (Grandparent) Scams: This cruel tactic involves a scammer calling and pretending to be a grandchild or other relative who is traveling abroad and is in desperate trouble. They will claim to have been arrested, hospitalized, or robbed and plead for money to be sent immediately via wire transfer, often begging the victim to keep it a secret.  

 

The +96x Connection: Documented Threats

 

There is specific, documented evidence linking numbers from the +96x block to these fraudulent activities. Scammers often choose these codes strategically. For instance, a scam call from Saudi Arabia (+966) may not raise significant alarm for a person in a country with a large population of migrant workers in the Gulf, as they may believe the call is from a family member. This targeted social engineering exploits socio-economic ties to make the scam more believable and effective for certain communities.  

• +96 Prefix Generally: Calls originating from numbers with a generic +96 prefix have been used in sophisticated campaigns impersonating Indian government bodies, such as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Delhi Cyber Crime Police, to extort money for fabricated criminal offenses.  
• +963 (Syria): This country code has been explicitly identified as a source for “Wangiri” one-ring scams targeting international users.  
• +965 (Kuwait): Users have reported receiving suspicious calls displaying the +965 prefix even while they are physically located in Kuwait. This indicates that scammers are using Voice over IP (VoIP) software to “spoof” or fake their caller ID, making it appear as if the call is a legitimate international one from Kuwait when it could be originating from anywhere in the world.  
• +966 (Saudi Arabia): This code is a well-documented source of “Wangiri” scams, particularly targeting regions in Asia, like India’s Barak Valley, where many families have relatives working in Saudi Arabia. The familiarity of the code makes recipients more likely to call back.  
• +967 (Yemen): There are numerous consumer reports of one-ring scams from numbers with the +967 prefix. Victims in Canada and elsewhere have reported receiving these calls, which are designed to trick them into calling back a high-cost premium number.  
• +968 (Oman): This code has been associated with potential phishing attempts and other scam calls, often targeting individuals through messaging apps like WhatsApp.  
• +970 (Palestine): While not a +96x code, it presents a unique risk to the U.S. audience due to a coincidence in numbering. The code 970 is used for the West Bank, but it is also a domestic U.S. area code for a large portion of Colorado. Scammers exploit this by spoofing local Colorado numbers, making it difficult for residents to distinguish a legitimate local call from a fraudulent one.  

 

Your Defense Strategy: How to Protect Yourself

 

The most effective defense against phone scams is a combination of skepticism, technological tools, and knowledge of the scammers’ playbook. The following strategies are based on official recommendations from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

 

Scam Identification Checklist

 

In the moment, a high-pressure call can be disorienting. Use this simple checklist to quickly assess the situation and identify the red flags of a scam.

If the answer to one or more of these questions is “yes,” it is almost certainly a scam.

 

Step-by-Step Protection Guide

 

1. Don’t Answer, Don’t Call Back: This is the most effective defense. If a call comes from a number you do not recognize, especially an international one, let it go to voicemail. If it is a legitimate caller, they will leave a message. Under no circumstances should you call back a number from a one-ring missed call.  
2. Hang Up Immediately: If you do answer and it is a robocall or a suspicious live person, hang up without engaging. Do not press any buttons to be “removed from the list” and avoid answering questions, especially with the word “Yes,” as your voice could potentially be recorded and used to authorize fraudulent charges.  
3. Verify Independently: If a caller claims to represent your bank, a utility company, or a government agency, end the call. Then, find the organization’s official phone number from their website, your account statement, or a phone book and call them directly to verify the claim.  
4. Use Technology to Your Advantage:
   • Call Blocking: Speak with your mobile carrier (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) about the call-blocking and filtering services they offer. Many are free and can be activated easily.  
   • Spam Identification Apps: Consider using a third-party application like Truecaller, which maintains a global database of known spam and scam numbers and can provide a warning or automatically block the call.  
5. Report Fraudulent Calls: Reporting scams helps federal agencies and law enforcement track criminal patterns and protect other consumers.
   • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at its official reporting website: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.  
   • File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) through its Consumer Complaint Center, especially for issues related to robocalls and caller ID spoofing.  
   • Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. While this will not stop illegal scam calls, it will stop calls from legitimate telemarketers, making any unsolicited sales call you receive highly likely to be a scam.  

 

Conclusion: Navigating Global Communications Safely and Smartly

 

In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the architecture of global communications is no longer just a technical curiosity—it is a fundamental aspect of personal and financial security. The “0096 country code” query opens the door to a complex but navigable landscape of international telecommunications.

The key takeaways from this analysis are threefold. First, the +96 prefix is not a singular country code but a regional identifier for a block of nine distinct nations in the Middle East and South Asia. Correctly identifying the specific country—from the Maldives (+960) to Oman (+968)—is the first step to demystifying any call from this region.

Second, for those in the United States, legitimate communication with these countries requires a clear understanding of dialing protocols—namely, the use of the 011 exit code—and a careful navigation of complex time zones. The differing approaches to Daylight Saving Time and unique local customs like the Maldives’ “Island Time” highlight how politics, culture, and economics shape the simple act of scheduling a call.

Finally, and most critically, vigilance is paramount. The +96x country codes are a known source of sophisticated and predatory scams, from the passive “Wangiri” scheme to aggressive impersonation tactics. These are not random attacks; they are often calculated operations that exploit curiosity, fear, and even socio-economic ties to defraud victims. By recognizing the red flags, refusing to engage with unknown callers, and utilizing the reporting and blocking tools available, consumers can build a formidable defense. Ultimately, digital literacy—knowing how the system works and being aware of its vulnerabilities—is the most powerful tool for using global communication networks both confidently and safely.