Receiving a call from an unfamiliar number often causes alarm, especially if the combination of numbers looks unusual or has an exotic code. In Russia, telephone numbering is strictly regulated, and the prefix 107 is one of those that require detailed analysis, as it can hide both regular subscribers and potential scammers. Understanding the telephone numbering plan structure allows you to instantly identify the geolocation of a call, even if the specific number is not stored in your address book.
Many users confuse the code 107 with codes of large cities with a population of over a million, such as Moscow or St. Petersburg, but the real situation is somewhat more complicated and depends on the dialing format. If you see this code in an international format, it may indicate a call from another country, which automatically makes the call chargeable and potentially dangerous in terms of financial security. In national format, this code is most often associated with certain mobile operators or specific regional numbering areas that were allocated during communications reform.
In this article we will analyze in detail who owns the prefix 107, how to correctly determine the location of the caller and what precautions should be taken. Modern technologies make it possible to hide real geolocation, but basic knowledge of telephone codes remains the first and most reliable filter for protection against spam and phishing. We will look at the technical aspects of call routing, the history of code distribution and current methods of subscriber identification.
Geography and origin of code 107
When analyzing the question “What is 107 number?”, the first thing you need to do is determine the context in which you saw this digital combination. In international practice, the code +107 is not assigned to any specific country, since the zone +1 is reserved for North America (USA, Canada and a number of Caribbean island states), and the subsequent digits usually indicate the area code within this vast territory. However, if we are talking about the internal Russian format, where the number may begin with 8 (107) or simply displayed as 107-xx-xx, then we are talking about a completely different classification system.
Within the Russian numbering system, three-digit codes starting with one have historically often referred to certain groups of operators or specialized services. Code 107 may appear in various databases as part of the numbers allocated for corporate clients or virtual PBXs. This means that a call from such a number can come from any region of the country, regardless of where the subscriber is physically located, thanks to mobile number portability technology.
It is important to note that in some old directories or with specific telephony settings, the code 107 could be associated with certain directions or even used as a service prefix within closed enterprise networks. Today, in the era of VoIP telephony, the strict connection to hardware or location has disappeared, and a number with the prefix 107 can be registered to a subscriber located thousands of kilometers from the place where the SIM card is registered.
⚠️ Attention: If you receive a call from a number starting with +107 (international format), do not call back. This could be a toll number created by scammers to siphon money from your account.
Telecom operators using the 107 prefix
Determining a telecom operator by prefix is not always a trivial task, especially given the Mobile Portability Act, which allows subscribers to keep their number when changing service providers. However, historically the prefix 107 in various variations (for example, as part of longer DEF codes) was often assigned to large federal market players or their subsidiary brands. In particular, such ranges could be allocated for the mass segment of users or, conversely, for premium tariff plans.
Virtual operators (MVNOs) are also actively using bands that can contain the combination 107. These operators do not have their own tower infrastructure, leasing capacity from the Big Four, but offering unique tariffs. Therefore, a call from a number where 107 appears can technically go through the network of one operator, and billing can be done by another. This creates additional confusion when trying to identify the caller only by the first digits.
Below is a table illustrating the possible distribution of codes containing 107 among the main operator types:
| Operator type | Likelihood of use | Examples of brands | Call features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal operator | High | MTS, Beeline, Tele2 | Standard tariffication, calls from any region are possible |
| Virtual operator (MVNO) | Average | Yota, Tinkoff Mobile | Often used for second SIM cards or Internet tariffs |
| Corporate Communications | Low | Company intranets | Calls from couriers, delivery services, banks |
| Satellite communications | Extremely low | Globalestar, Inmarsat | Very high cost per minute, specific equipment |
It is worth emphasizing that the exact affiliation of a number to a specific operator can currently only be found out through special number status request services (HLR request) or specialized identifier applications, since the databases are updated daily. Static directories often provide information that was current at the time the number was issued, but which may have changed over the years of operation.
How to determine the owner of a number and region
It is impossible to find out the exact first and last name of the owner of the number using the 107 prefix through open official channels due to laws protecting personal data (due to laws on the protection of personal data). Telecom operators do not have the right to disclose this information to third parties without a request from law enforcement agencies. However, there are legal ways to obtain approximate information about the region of registration of a SIM card and the current status of the number.
One of the most effective methods is the use of instant messengers. Save the number in your phone contacts and check apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber. If the owner of the number has registered an account and has not hidden their profile photo or name, you will be able to see an avatar or the specified name, which often helps identify the caller (for example, a photo of a courier or a company logo). Also, data from social networks can be automatically pulled up in your smartphone contacts if the number has previously been tagged by other users.
Specialized definition applications such as Yandex.Identifier, Kaspersky Who Calls or GetContact, use crowdsourcing for identification. Millions of users mark numbers with tags like “Spam”, “Food delivery” or “Collectors”. If a number with code 107 has many negative marks, the application will warn you about this even before answering the call.
☑️ Checking unknown number
In addition, simply entering the number into the search engine Google or Yandex in different formats (with +7, with 8, without code) can lead to forums where other people have already discussed calls from this phone. Fraudulent schemes often operate en masse, and information about them appears online almost instantly.
Risks of fraud and telephone spam
Numbers with the 107 prefix, especially if they arrive at unusual times or with repeated frequency, can be a tool in the hands of telephone scammers. There are several common schemes using such numbers. One of them is “wangiri” (a call with one tone), when the subscriber is asked to call back, allegedly missing an important call. When dialing back, significant funds are debited from the account.
Another scheme is social engineering. The caller introduces himself as an employee of a bank, police or security service and, using an auto-informer or a live operator, tries to find out confidential data: codes from SMS, card data, passport data. The use of seemingly ordinary numbers (like 107) is intended to lull the victim's vigilance, creating the appearance of legitimacy of the call.
⚠️ Attention: No bank or government employee will ever ask you to give a code from an SMS message or transfer money to a “safe account”. Any such request is 100% a sign of fraud.
You should also be wary of numbers that disguise themselves as official delivery services or marketplaces. Fraudsters can use number substitution techniques (spoofing), making your phone screen display a familiar code or even the number of an organization that does not actually belong to the call. In such cases, the only correct solution is to end the conversation and independently call the official organization back through the number listed on their website.
Technical aspects and VoIP telephony
With the development of IP telephony (VoIP) technologies, the concept of “geographical reference” of a number is completely blurred. Code 107 may be a virtual number rented by a company or individual through an Internet service. Such numbers allow you to receive calls from anywhere in the world where there is Internet access, while the subscriber on the other end of the line will seem to be calling from a regular mobile or landline phone.
This creates certain difficulties for security systems and caller ID. Virtual numbers are easily disposed of: after receiving a wave of complaints, scammers simply abandon the number and rent a new one with a different prefix. However, prefixes often remain in databases as "dirty" for a long time.
What is number spoofing?
Spoofing (from English spoofing) is a technology for replacing caller ID. The caller can configure his equipment so that any set of numbers is displayed on the screen of the receiving phone, for example, the bank number or even the number of the recipient himself. This is used by scammers to increase the credibility of the call.
For businesses, using such numbers is a way to create a single point of contact for customers across the country. Therefore, you should not immediately block a number with code 107 if you are expecting a call from a courier or manager. However, if the call was not initiated by you, proceed with caution.
Use the Silence Unknown Numbers feature on iPhone or similar settings on Android to automatically send all calls from numbers not in your address book to voicemail. This will get rid of most spam calls.
Protection against unwanted calls
If a number with the prefix 107 begins to bother you regularly, you need to take active steps to protect your personal space. The first step is blocking at the device level. In modern smartphones, just open your call history, click on the information icon (i) or menu next to the number and select “Block”. This will prevent calls and SMS from this number from going through.
The second, more effective step is to activate antispam services from your telecom operator. The Big Four operators offer services (often paid but with a trial period) that analyze incoming traffic in the cloud and flag suspicious calls. They use huge databases that are updated in real time, which allows them to cut off even new scam numbers.
It is also recommended to register your number in the register of advertising calls (if such functionality is available in your region through the communications regulator), which formally prohibits operators from passing advertising calls to your number, although this does not work well against scammers.
Comprehensive protection includes: blocking at the smartphone level, installing an identification application and connecting cloud antispam from the operator.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out exactly which city the code 107 was called from?
It is impossible to accurately determine the city only by code 107, since it can be part of a mobile number that is not strictly tied to geography, or a virtual number. The prefix may indicate the operator, but not the subscriber's current location.
Is it safe to call back to number 107?
Calling back to unknown numbers, especially short numbers or with unusual codes, is unsafe. There is a risk of getting on a toll line or confirming to scammers that your number is active, which will lead to an increase in the volume of spam.
Why can number 107 be identified as "Risk" or "Spam"?
This happens if other users have massively flagged this number in detection apps as a source of advertising, scams, or hard selling. The databases of such applications are updated dynamically.
Who can call from a number starting with 107?
This can be any subscriber: from an individual who has changed the operator, to automated notification systems (pharmacies, clinics, banks) or telemarketers. The context of the call and the behavior of the caller will help determine the true caller.