+27 87 numbers: South Africa's 087 VoIP range

A +27 87 (087) number is a South African VoIP number: ICASA's numbering plan reserves the 087 code for "voice over the internet services". Businesses, call centres and home or office internet-phone users get 087 numbers, so an 087 call is usually a company or a call centre rather than a cellphone.

South Africa · IP phone numbers · Facts checked November 9, 2026

What these numbers look like

From abroad
+27 87 XXX XXXX
Inside South Africa
087 XXX XXXX

9 digits after +27, 10 digits with the leading 0. 087 numbers have no area meaning.

Who uses +27 87 numbers?

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) sets the numbering plan. In the Numbering Plan Regulations, 2016 (Government Gazette 39861, 24 March 2016), Table 4 lists 087 as "Voice over the internet services (VoIP)" and defines a VoIP number as a non-geographic number used to provide a VoIP service. Non-geographic numbers must be 10 digits. Under the Number Portability Regulations (Gazette 41949, 1 October 2018), licensees holding 087 numbers must offer number portability, so the issuing provider can change.

Who is calling you from a +27 87 number?

Most 087 calls come from businesses that run on internet telephony: call centres, debt collectors, insurers, medical practices, estate agents and small offices. Any licensed VoIP provider can assign them, so the code tells you the service type, not the company. Because the number is not tied to a place, it says nothing about where the caller is.

Scams seen with +27 87 numbers

  • Bank-impersonation (vishing) calls: SABRIC, the banking industry's crime-risk centre, describes fraudsters phoning customers pretending to be from the bank's call centre, saying accounts are compromised or about to be blocked, and getting victims to read out OTPs or approve transactions. SABRIC says vishing-led authorised payment fraud remained a dominant pattern in 2025.

What to do about a call from +27 87

  1. Never read an OTP or approve a banking app prompt for a caller. Hang up and phone your bank on the number on your card.
  2. Marketing by phone needs your consent under section 69 of POPIA (Information Regulator guidance note on direct marketing, December 2024). Ask the caller to remove you and complain to the Information Regulator if they persist.
  3. For service complaints, go to the provider first, give them 14 working days, then escalate in writing to ICASA (consumer@icasa.org.za).
  4. Report fraud to your bank and at your nearest SAPS police station.

Check the exact number

A series tells you what kind of line called. To check the full number you got, use these free tools:

Frequently asked questions

Is an 087 number a cellphone?

No. ICASA reserves 087 for VoIP services, separate from the mobile number ranges.

Is an 087 number a scam?

No, 087 is a normal business range. Judge the call by what is asked: banks do not ask you to confirm PINs or OTPs on the phone.

Where is an 087 number located?

It has no location. VoIP numbers are non-geographic and work anywhere with an internet connection.

Can a business keep its 087 number if it changes provider?

Yes. ICASA's Number Portability Regulations require licensees with 087 numbers to offer portability.

Sources

Numbering facts on this page come from the regulator or operator sources below, checked November 9, 2026. We never publish individual personal phone numbers.

  • ICASA - Numbering Plan Regulations, 2016 (Gazette 39861) (icasa.org.za)
  • ICASA - Publishes final amendments to the Numbering Plan Regulations (2 July 2026) (icasa.org.za)
  • ICASA - Number Portability Regulations amendment (Gazette 41949, 1 Oct 2018) (gov.za)
  • SABRIC - How to Stay Safe (sabric.co.za)
  • SABRIC - Annual Crime Statistics 2025 (sabric.co.za)
  • Information Regulator - Guidance Note on Direct Marketing (POPIA) (inforegulator.org.za)
  • ICASA - Frequently asked questions (complaints process) (icasa.org.za)

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