You check your phone and see a missed call from a number starting with +63—you don’t recognize it, but curiosity kicks in. Should you call back? That’s exactly what scammers are counting on. The +63 country code, which belongs to the Philippines, is now commonly used in missed call scams targeting people worldwide.
Known as “one-ring scams,” these calls trick you into returning them, only to hit you with high fees or worse, steal your personal information. In this article, we’ll explain how these scams work and how to protect yourself from becoming the next victim.
What Does a Missed Call from +63 Country Code Mean?
If you’ve received a missed call from +63 country code, it means the call likely originated from the Philippines. While some calls may be genuine, many are part of global scams targeting mobile users. To understand the missed call from +63 country code meaning, it’s important to know that scammers often use this method to lure people into returning the call.
When you call back, you may face high charges or fraud attempts. Always identify scam calls from Philippines +63 code before responding, especially if you don’t recognize the number or were not expecting international contact.
Is a +63 Missed Call Always a Scam or Could It Be Legit?
Not every +63 missed call is a scam. The +63 country code belongs to the Philippines, so if you have friends, relatives, or business contacts there, the call may be legitimate. However, scammers often use this code in fraudulent “one-ring” calls to trick people into calling back. If you’re not expecting a call, it’s best to stay cautious. Always verify the number before responding to avoid falling into a scam trap.
Why Am I Getting Scam Calls from +63 Numbers?
Scammers use +63 numbers to appear as international or legitimate callers, making it harder for users to block or report them immediately. These calls often come from automated systems or spoofed numbers designed to trigger curiosity or urgency.
You might receive them because your number was leaked through data breaches, exposed via online forms, or simply targeted at random. The goal is to trick you into calling back, where hidden charges or phishing attempts can occur. It’s part of a growing trend in international phone fraud affecting users globally.
How to Detect +63 Country Code Missed Call Scam
Scam calls from the +63 country code have surged globally, especially in countries like India, the U.S., and the UK, where telecom authorities report thousands of such complaints each month. In 2024 alone, over 2 million international scam call attempts were flagged globally, with a significant portion linked to missed calls from unknown foreign codes like +63.
To detect a +63 country code missed call scam, look out for:
- A call that rings once and disconnects
- Unfamiliar numbers starting with +63 or ending in suspicious sequences
- Calls during odd hours or multiple missed calls from the same number
- No voicemail or vague messages urging a callback
According to cybersecurity firm Cloudmark, 90% of “one-ring” scams go unanswered, but the 10% who call back are often charged exorbitantly or routed to spam agents who attempt phishing. Use caller ID apps, report suspicious numbers, and never return unknown international calls unless verified.
How to Detect +63 Country Code Missed Call Scam?
Scammers have become more sophisticated, and one of the more common tricks in recent years is the missed call scam using the +63 country code—which is linked to the Philippines. While not all calls from this region are suspicious, scammers are increasingly using this code to impersonate international contacts and lure people into calling back.
Phone scams have become a multi-billion-dollar problem. In 2024, over 56 million people in the U.S. alone reported receiving scam calls, with total losses exceeding $25.4 billion. The Federal Trade Commission highlighted that text and call-related scams now account for one of the fastest-growing fraud categories, costing consumers around $470 million in 2024. Similar trends were seen globally—Singapore, for example, recorded an 18% spike in scam-related cases in just the first half of 2024.
Many of these scams use simple tactics: a call that rings once and hangs up, often during odd hours. When the victim calls back, they are connected to high-cost premium numbers or even targeted for identity theft.
What to Do If You Get a Missed Call from a +63 Number?
If you spot a missed call from a +63 number and don’t recognize it, the first thing to do is pause and think before calling back. Scammers rely on impulse—counting on your curiosity or worry to trigger a return call. But reacting too quickly can lead to expensive charges or worse, exposing your personal details to fraudsters.
Here’s what you should do.
- Avoid calling back unknown +63 numbers unless you’re sure of the caller’s identity.
- Look up the number online to see if it’s been flagged by others as a scam.
- Check for a voicemail or follow-up message—legit callers usually leave one.
- Block the number if it looks suspicious or you weren’t expecting a call.
- Use call-blocking apps like Truecaller or Hiya to filter unwanted international calls.
- Report scam numbers to your mobile provider or local cybercrime authority.
- Let your family and friends know so they don’t fall for the same trick.
- Review your phone bill if you accidentally called back to catch hidden charges.
- Turn on “Silence Unknown Callers” in your phone settings for added safety.
- Stay informed about new scam tactics to keep yourself one step ahead.
Understanding the One Ring Scam: +63 Phone Number Warning
The “one-ring scam”, also known as the Wangiri scam, is one of the most common tactics used by scammers behind +63 phone number frauds. The name comes from a Japanese term meaning “ring and cut,” which is exactly how the scam works—your phone rings once, and the call disconnects immediately. No voicemail. No message. Just a missed call designed to provoke your curiosity.
When you call back, you’re often connected to a premium-rate number that silently charges you per minute—or you might be connected to a scammer pretending to be from a bank, courier service, or tech support.
Best Ways to Avoid +63 International Missed Call Fraud
1. Don’t Call Back Unknown +63 Numbers
Scammers rely heavily on your impulse to return missed calls, especially from unfamiliar international codes like +63 (Philippines). If you weren’t expecting any call from that region, never call back blindly. Returning the call could lead to hidden charges through premium-rate lines or connect you to fraudsters posing as legitimate services.
2. Block Suspicious or Repeated +63 Numbers
Most smartphones allow manual number blocking. If you receive a missed call from a +63 number that rings once or appears more than once without voicemail, block it immediately. Repeated missed calls from similar numbers is a strong indication of an auto-dialer scam trying different sequences to bypass spam filters.
3. Use Caller ID & Spam Protection Apps
Install apps like Truecaller, Hiya, or Whoscall—they maintain global databases of scam numbers reported by users. These tools automatically flag or block known scam calls, often before they even ring. For example, Truecaller has blocked over 35 billion spam calls globally as of 2025.
4. Turn on “Silence Unknown Callers”
On iPhones (iOS 13+), this feature sends calls from unknown numbers straight to voicemail. Many Android phones also have a similar “block unknown” or “Do Not Disturb” setting. This is highly effective because most one-ring scams come from numbers not in your contact list.
5. Search the Number Online Before Responding
Before responding to any international missed call, do a quick Google search. There are many free lookup tools and forums (like Reddit or ScamPulse) where users post scam reports. If the number has scammed others, chances are it will appear in the search results.
6. Never Return a One-Ring Call
The classic “Wangiri” or “one-ring scam” relies on your instinct to call back quickly. But these numbers are often connected to expensive services that charge per second. A study by the FCC shows one-ring call scams can cost victims between $3–$30 per minute, depending on the service type.
7. Be Skeptical of Urgent or Vague Voicemails
Scammers may leave urgent-sounding messages, like “We’ve been trying to reach you,” or “This is about your package/account.” These are designed to create panic or urgency. Never respond without verifying the number independently. Legit companies mention names and leave callback details.
8. Report Suspicious Calls to Authorities
In India, you can report scam numbers to the Cyber Crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in). In the U.S., use reportfraud.ftc.gov. This not only helps you, but also helps authorities flag patterns, block scam networks, and alert others to new fraud tactics.
Conclusion
Missed call scams using the +63 country code have become a serious threat to mobile users worldwide. What seems like an ordinary one-ring call can actually be part of a calculated fraud scheme—one that may cost you money or expose your personal data. From the rise of Wangiri scams to the use of auto-dialers and spoofed numbers, the tactics keep evolving, but so can your awareness.
