The 268 area code is the official telephone area code for the Caribbean twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. It is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), meaning phone numbers in this region use the same +1 country code prefix as the United States and Canada.
Crucial Warning: Due to this shared numbering system, the 268 area code is a common source for international phone fraud, specifically the “one-ring scam,” designed to trick consumers into calling back and incurring significant charges.
This guide provides essential information on the location, dialing format, and necessary steps to protect yourself from unsolicited calls originating from the 268 area code.
268 Area Code: Location and Key Details
Area code 268 was created in 1996 when the vast 809 numbering plan area was split. On a telephone keypad, the digits 268 spell “ANT,” referencing Antigua.
Primary Location and Time Zone
| Detail | Information |
| Country | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Region | Eastern Caribbean (Leeward Islands) |
| Major City | St. John’s (Capital and largest city) |
| Time Zone | Atlantic Standard Time (AST) |
| UTC Offset | UTC-4 |
| Daylight Saving Time | Antigua and Barbuda does not observe Daylight Saving Time. |
Time Difference: The 268 area is always on AST (UTC-4). This means that during the months when the U.S. East Coast observes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT/UTC-4), the time difference is zero. However, during winter (EST/UTC-5), Antigua and Barbuda is one hour ahead of the US East Coast.
Geographic Coverage
The 268 area code covers the entirety of the twin-island nation, including the main island of Antigua, the smaller island of Barbuda, and several uninhabited smaller islands like Redonda. Unlike many larger countries, Antigua and Barbuda does not use city-specific area codes; the 268 area code covers all locations.
High Scam Risk: The “One-Ring” Callback Scam
International law enforcement and consumer protection agencies frequently flag the 268 area code, along with other Caribbean codes like 473 (Grenada) and 876 (Jamaica), as a source of callback fraud.
How the Scam Works
The risk lies in the fact that calls from 268 look like domestic US or Canadian long-distance calls because they use the same “1” country code, but they are billed at high international rates.
- The Call: Scammers use automated dialers to call a large volume of mobile numbers and hang up after only one or two rings.
- The Hook: Victims see a missed call from an unfamiliar local-looking number (since the +1-268 format is common).
- The Costly Trap: When the victim calls back, they are connected to a premium international service that imposes an excessive connection fee (sometimes up to $29) and high per-minute charges (often $5–$9 per minute), generating illicit profit for the scammer.
Actionable Steps for Safety
- Do Not Answer or Return the Call: The safest action is to ignore any missed call from the 268 area code unless you are explicitly expecting a call from someone you know in Antigua or Barbuda.
- Check Voicemail: A legitimate caller will leave a message detailing their identity and purpose. A scammer usually will not, or they will leave a vague, urgent message designed to incite panic.
- Block International Calls: If you never make international calls, contact your phone carrier and ask them to block all outgoing international dialing from your line to prevent accidental callback charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 268 area code part of the United States?
No. Although 268 is part of the North American Numbering Plan, it is the code for the independent nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Calls to 268 are billed as international calls, which is why they carry a high risk of unexpected charges if you call them back without an international plan.
Are there any cities within the 268 area code that use a different dialing code?
No. The 268 area code covers the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda. All phone numbers use the 268 NPA followed by a 7-digit local number (1-268-XXX-XXXX).
What time is it currently in the 268 area code?
The 268 area code is on Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which is UTC-4 year-round. You can quickly calculate the time by comparing it to the US Eastern Time Zone (it is 1 hour ahead of EST, and the same time as EDT).
Conclusion
The 268 area code is the official code for Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean. While the code is entirely legitimate for residents of the islands, its inclusion in the NANP makes it a primary tool for the costly “one-ring” callback scam. Always be vigilant, never return a missed call from the 268 area code, and confirm the identity of the caller through other means if you suspect the call is important.
