In the age of robocalls and spam calls, mysterious phone numbers lighting up your caller ID can be annoying at best and unsettling at worst. If you’ve ever received a call from an unfamiliar 63 number, you’re not alone. While some of these calls may be legitimate, many are likely unwanted robocalls or scams. So who is calling from 63 area codes, and should you answer? Let’s explore some key questions about these mystery callers.
What area code is 63?
63 is not actually an area code in the United States. Instead, it is the country code for the Philippines when dialing internationally from North America. The Philippines uses several different area codes domestically, including 02, 032, 042, 052, and 062. However, all Philippine phone numbers will begin with 63 when dialed from abroad.
So if you see a number beginning with 63 on your caller ID, it indicates an incoming call from the Philippines. The next three digits will specify the particular area code and phone number. While scammers can spoof any number, legitimate businesses and individuals from the Philippines may have valid reasons for contacting you.
Why am I getting calls from 63 numbers?
There are a few reasons why you may be receiving calls from numbers starting with 63:
- Businesses outsourcing to the Philippines: Many companies outsource customer service, technical support, and other operations to call centers in the Philippines to reduce costs. Inbound calls from Philippines numbers could be legitimate calls from those outsourced workers.
- Scam robocalls: Unfortunately, 63 is also commonly spoofed by robocall scammers trying to trick you into answering. The Philippines has become a hotbed for scam call centers.
- Immigrants contacting home: Filipino immigrants in the US trying to call family and friends back home on a US phone may show up from 63 numbers.
- Wrong number: With over 100 million mobile users in the Philippines, it’s likely some 63 calls are just accidental wrong numbers.
While scams are a big concern, it’s important not to automatically assume every 63 call is malicious. Legitimate reasons for calls from the Philippines do exist.
What type of scams use 63 numbers?
Some common scams that spoof 63 numbers include:
- Social Security scam: A robocall claims there is suspicious activity on your Social Security number, asking you to call back an urgent 63 number to address the problem.
- Apple and Amazon support scam: A recorded voice claims to be from Apple or Amazon support, stating your account has been compromised. You’re instructed to call back a 63 number to fix the issue.
- Travel prizes: A call tells you’ve won a free cruise or trip, but you need to confirm your details and eligibility by calling back a provided 63 number.
- Extended car warranties: Robocalls offer discounted or extended car repair warranties, giving a 63 callback number to “speak with a representative.”
These are just a few examples of common scam call tactics using spoofed 63 numbers. The real organizations will never contact you this way. If you receive a suspicious call supposedly from a known company, look up their real customer service line rather than calling back a provided 63 number.
Are all calls from 63 numbers scams?
No, not every call from a 63 number is a scam. As mentioned earlier, many legitimate reasons exist for receiving calls with the Philippines country code. Here are a few tips to determine if a 63 call is trustworthy:
- Do you have any existing business or personal relations with the Philippines? If a 63 number calls claiming to be your Filipino supplier, client, or friend, it may very well be authentic.
- Does the caller address you directly by name and have accurate details about you? Scammers typically use vague introductions like “this is an important call about your account.”
- Is the call unsolicited? If you didn’t request information or expect a call, apply extra skepticism.
- Are they asking for sensitive personal or financial details upfront? Money scams will often try to quickly gain banking or Social Security data.
- Do they ask you to call back a provided 63 number? Only phone back at published customer service lines found through an official website or documentation.
Take time to evaluate the context of the call and whether the caller seems trustworthy rather than automatically assuming malicious intent. If still uncertain, politely end the call and independently look up the business to call them back directly.
Should I answer calls from 63 numbers?
If you do not have any expected or legitimate reason to receive a call from the Philippines, use caution with unknown 63 numbers:
- Let unknown 63 calls go to voicemail. Scammers often hang up when unanswered.
- Do not call back random 63 numbers that leave voicemails, as they may be scams traps trying to confirm an active number.
- If you do answer, do not provide any sensitive personal information.
- Hang up immediately if the call seems suspicious. Do not engage with scammers.
- Consider call blocking apps that prevent numbers not in your contacts from ringing through.
- Report unwanted 63 calls to the FTC Do Not Call registry.
While outright ignoring unknown 63 calls reduces risk of scams, you may miss legitimate calls as well. Use your best judgment based on the context of who might be contacting you from the Philippines when deciding to answer or let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
How can I stop calls from 63 numbers?
Here are a few ways to reduce unwanted calls from 63 numbers:
- List your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov if in the US. Telemarketers are required to refrain from calling registered numbers.
- Ask specific companies to place you on their individual do not call lists if you receive unwanted calls after asking to be removed.
- Use robocall blocking apps or services from your phone carrier to automatically filter likely scams. Apps like Nomorobo offer increased protection.
- Screen unknown 63 callers by letting them go to voicemail first so you can verify legitimacy before answering.
- Block specific 63 numbers that have proven to be repeat offenders.
Stopping scams requires diligence, but taking steps to report unwanted 63 callers and proactively block robocalls can reduce frequency over time. However, some scam calls may still slip through even with precautions in place.
Conclusion
Seeing an unfamiliar 63 number call your phone can rightfully raise suspicions about spam calls or scams. However, not every 63 caller has malicious intent, as legitimate reasons exist for receiving calls from the Philippines. Take steps to block likely scammers, but evaluate each caller carefully before assuming the worst. A wise balance of caution and consideration when answering unknown 63 numbers can help avoid risks while also not overlooking important legitimate calls.