If your phone screen is lighting up with a caller ID that says a phone number starts with 63, you aren't alone. It’s the Philippines. Specifically, +63 is the international subscriber dialing (ISD) code assigned to this Southeast Asian archipelago by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Maybe you have family in Manila. Maybe you’re waiting on a call from a specialized customer support tier. Or, quite frankly, maybe a scammer is trying their luck from a VoIP setup halfway across the globe. Whatever the reason, seeing those two digits usually sparks a bit of a "Wait, who is this?" moment.
Understanding the +63 Country Code Structure
The Philippines has a somewhat quirky telecommunications history. Unlike the North American Numbering Plan where everything follows a strict (XXX) XXX-XXXX format, the Filipino system shifted significantly in 2019. If you see a phone number starts with 63 followed by a 2, that’s a landline in the Greater Manila Area.
Back in the day, Manila landlines only had seven digits. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) realized they were running out of space. Now, they use an 8-digit format. For example, if you're calling a business in Makati, you’d dial +63 2 XXXX XXXX. It’s a bit of a mouthful.
Mobile numbers are different. They always have ten digits following the +63 prefix. You’ll usually see them starting with a 9, like +63 917 or +63 918.
Those three digits—the 9XX part—are the mobile prefixes. They tell you exactly which "telco" owns the number. Globe Telecom and Smart Communications are the two giants there, similar to AT&T and Verizon in the States. If you see 917 or 927, it’s Globe. If it’s 918 or 919, it’s Smart. DITO Telecommunity is the newer player, often using prefixes like 991.
Why Is This Number Calling You?
Honestly, it depends on your life.
The Philippines is the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) capital of the world. Huge companies like JP Morgan, Amazon, and Google have massive operations in cities like Taguig and Cebu. Sometimes, a "local" call from a service provider might route through a Filipino gateway, showing a phone number starts with 63 on your display. It’s less common now because most BPOs "mask" their caller ID with a local US or UK number, but technical glitches happen.
Then there’s the personal side. The Filipino diaspora is massive. Over 4 million Filipino-Americans live in the US. If you have friends or colleagues with ties to the islands, they might be calling you via a local SIM card while visiting home.
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The Dark Side: Scams and "Wangiri" Calls
We have to talk about the scammers. It’s unavoidable.
The +63 prefix is frequently used in "Wangiri" scams. "Wangiri" is Japanese for "one ring and cut." The scam works like this: your phone rings once. You see a missed call from a phone number starts with 63. You’re curious, so you call back.
Bad move.
By calling back, you might be connected to a premium-rate service. These lines charge exorbitant fees per minute. The longer they keep you on the line—maybe with a recording of "Please hold for an operator"—the more money they rake in.
There’s also the "Lover Boy" or "Romance Scam" and the "Grandparent Scam." Fraudsters often use WhatsApp or Telegram tied to a +63 number to build fake relationships or pretend to be a relative in distress. They’ll ask for money via GCash (the Philippines' version of Venmo) or wire transfers. If a random +63 number starts texting you "Hey, long time no see!" and you don't know anyone in Quezon City, just block it.
Breaking Down the Costs of Calling +63
Calling the Philippines isn't cheap if you’re using a standard landline or mobile plan. It’s categorized as an international zone that usually sits outside the "free" or "low-cost" tiers of most Western carriers.
- Standard Carriers: You might pay anywhere from $1.00 to $3.00 per minute.
- VoIP (Skype/Vonage): Usually much cheaper, often around 10 to 15 cents per minute to landlines, though mobile rates are higher.
- The "Free" Way: Almost everyone in the Philippines uses Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Viber. Data is king there. If you need to reach someone, using an internet-based app is basically the standard procedure now.
Area Codes You Should Recognize
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, but the phone system is divided into specific area codes. If a phone number starts with 63 and is followed by these digits, here is where the call is likely originating:
- Area Code 2: Metro Manila, Rizal, and parts of Cavite/Laguna. This is the heart of the country's business district.
- Area Code 32: Cebu City. The "Queen City of the South." Huge hub for tourism and shipping.
- Area Code 82: Davao City. The major urban center of Mindanao.
- Area Code 74: Baguio City. The "Summer Capital" in the mountains.
If the number starts with +63 and then a 9, it’s a mobile phone. Mobile phones in the Philippines don't have geographic area codes. A person could be in the middle of a rice field in Isabela or a skyscraper in BGC; their number will still start with +63 9.
How to Format the Number Correctly
If you’re trying to call out to a Filipino number, you have to get the "0" right.
Inside the Philippines, you dial 0 before the number (e.g., 0917-XXX-XXXX).
But when you are calling internationally, you drop the zero.
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So, if you’re in New York and calling a friend in Manila, you dial +63 917... or 011 63 917...
If you keep the zero in there after the country code, the call will fail every single time. It’s one of those tiny technical hurdles that drives people crazy.
Is it Safe to Answer?
Generally, yes, answering a call is free. You don't get charged for receiving an international call in most countries (though check your specific mobile plan if you're roaming). The danger isn't in answering; it's in the interaction.
If the person on the other end asks for personal details, mentions a "frozen bank account," or claims you’ve won a raffle you never entered, hang up. The NTC in the Philippines has recently implemented a mandatory SIM Card Registration Act. This law requires every Filipino citizen to register their SIM card with a government ID to curb SMS-based scams (locally called "smishing").
While this has helped, scammers are creative. They use stolen identities or buy "pre-registered" SIMs on the black market. Just because a phone number starts with 63 doesn't mean it’s inherently dangerous, but a healthy dose of skepticism goes a long way.
How to Block These Calls Effectively
If you’re getting hounded by +63 numbers, don't just "not answer." Take action.
On an iPhone, tap the "i" next to the number and hit "Block this Caller." On Android, long-press the number in your call history and select "Block/Report Spam."
You can also use apps like Truecaller or Hiya. These apps have massive databases of reported scam numbers from the Philippines. Often, the app will label the call as "Potential Fraud" before you even pick up.
Another pro tip: If you aren't expecting international calls at all, many phone carriers allow you to disable international incoming calls entirely through their web portal. It’s a bit of an "atomic option," but it works.
Actionable Steps for Dealing with +63 Numbers
If you see a phone number starts with 63 on your phone right now, here is exactly what you should do:
- Check your contacts: Do you have any colleagues or friends in the Philippines? If not, the odds of this being a legitimate "accidental" call are slim.
- Google the full number: Sometimes, scammers use the same number for hundreds of people. A quick search might lead you to a forum where dozens of others have reported the same +63 caller.
- Do not call back: If it was a "Wangiri" one-ring call, calling back is the only way they win. If it’s important, they will leave a voicemail or send a text.
- Use WhatsApp to verify: Save the number to your contacts temporarily and see if it has a WhatsApp profile. Often, you can see a profile picture or "About" section that clarifies who the person is without you having to actually speak to them.
- Check the 8-digit rule: If it's a landline (starting with +63 2) and it only has seven digits after the 2, it's an old, defunct number or a spoofed one. Modern Manila landlines must have eight digits.
The world is smaller than it used to be. A call from the Philippines could be a business opportunity, a friend on vacation, or a nuisance. By understanding the +63 prefix and how the local numbering system works, you can decide whether to pick up or hit the red button.
Always prioritize your digital safety over curiosity. If you don't recognize the number and no voicemail is left, it's probably best to ignore it and move on with your day.
Next Steps for You
- Check your recent call logs for any +63 prefixes you might have missed.
- If you’re receiving frequent "smishing" texts, report them to your local carrier’s spam department.
- Update your "Silence Unknown Callers" settings in your phone's privacy menu if the international pings become a daily annoyance.