Area code 581 serves Quebec City and surrounding communities in Quebec. Whether you received an unexpected call from this number or you’re trying to figure out where a 581 number is based, this guide covers the exact location, time zone, spam reputation, blocking instructions, and which cities fall under this code.
📍 Where Is the 581 Area Code Located?
The 581 area code is located in Quebec, primarily serving Quebec City and the surrounding region. It’s a standard geographic area code under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Keep in mind that mobile number portability means someone could carry a 581 number with them after moving — so the code tells you where the number was issued, not necessarily where the person is right now.
| 581 Area Code — Location Details | |
|---|---|
| State/Province | Quebec (QC) |
| Major City | Quebec City |
| Country | Canada (+1) |
| Time Zone | Eastern (UTC-5/UTC-4) |
| Type | Geographic — Standard |
| NANPA Status | Active |
🕐 581 Area Code Time Zone
The 581 area code operates in the Eastern Time Zone (UTC-5/UTC-4). Here’s how it compares to other US time zones:
| Time Zone | Difference from 581 |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time | Same time |
| Central Time | -1 hour |
| Mountain Time | -2 hours |
| Pacific Time | -3 hours |
🛡️ Is 581 Area Code Spam or Scam?
Is a 581 call spam? Not necessarily — 581 is a legitimate area code serving Quebec City and surrounding areas. That said, scammers routinely spoof 581 numbers to make their calls look local. The general rule: if you don’t recognize the number and they don’t leave a voicemail, it’s probably junk.
How to verify: Don’t call back the number — look up the official number for whatever organization the caller claimed to represent and call that instead. Google the full 10-digit number in quotes to check if others have reported it as spam.
📵 How to Block 581 Spam Calls & Texts
Block on iPhone
- Open Phone → tap Recents
- Tap ⓘ next to the 581 spam number
- Scroll down → “Block this Caller”
- Silence all unknowns: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers → ON
Block on Android
- Open Phone → find the 581 number
- Tap ⋮ menu → “Block number”
- For broader blocking: Settings → Blocked numbers → Unknown toggle ON
Report Spam
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM)
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Register at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222
🔍 Who Called from 581? Reverse Lookup
- Google the full 10-digit number in quotes — catches ~70% of unknown callers
- Check Whitepages.com or Truecaller.com
- Search 800notes.com for community reports
- No voicemail left? Almost certainly spam — legitimate callers leave messages
🔗 Nearby Area Codes
| Code | Location | Time Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 514 | Montreal, Quebec | Eastern |
| 418 | Quebec City, Quebec | Eastern |
| 819 | Sherbrooke, Quebec | Eastern |
| 438 | Montreal, Quebec | Eastern |
| 450 | Longueuil, Quebec | Eastern |
❓ 581 Area Code — FAQ
🔗 Related Area Code Guides
- 514 Area Code — Montreal, Quebec
- 418 Area Code — Quebec City, Quebec
- 819 Area Code — Sherbrooke, Quebec
- 438 Area Code — Montreal, Quebec
- 450 Area Code — Longueuil, Quebec
Updated April 2026 · Data from NANPA & FCC · areacodess.org/