How to stop spam calls

Unwanted phone calls are the nightmare of our times. Many of us get several calls a day from unknown numbers. We took a look at this and checked what you can do to keep them to a minimum.

Who can call you?

First of all, you need to learn how to recognise spam callers from ordinary phone calls from your bank or insurance company.

The most common types of phone scams are:

Compensation calls - scammers may call to ask if you have been in a car accident and convince you that you are entitled for compensation. If indeed something like this has happened to you, contact your insurance company and arrange all the paperwork between them.

HMRC scam call - you may receive a phone call from someone impersonating an HMRC employee saying that you are eligible for a tax return or there is a problem with your account. They will try to trick you into providing personal information or bank details.

Bank and debt scam calls - someone may call you with the information that there is a problem with your bank account or card or that you need to pay off your debt.

NHS spam calls - Increasingly, fraudsters are pretending to be employees of clinics and hospitals, persuading people for example to pay for vaccinations.

These are the most common reasons, however scammers operate in virtually every industry and field. They may call you impersonating IT company (informing you that there is a virus in your computer), Amazon (informing that there is a problem with your Prime account), pension and investment companies, selling various products or claiming to be various institutions known to you.

Why are you getting spam calls?

There are a few different reasons why you might be getting spam calls. One possibility is that your phone number has been leaked or sold. This can happen if you sign up for a service that sold your information, or if there's a data breach at a company that has your information. Another possibility is that someone is using a robocaller to automatically dial numbers, including yours. Robocallers are often used to sell products or services, but they can also be used to scam people out of money.

What to do to reduce the number of unwanted calls?

If you're sick of unwanted spam calls, there are a few things you can do to stop them. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to stop spam calls in the UK.

Register your number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)

The TPS is a free service that helps to screen out unwanted sales and marketing calls. To register your number, simply visit the TPS website and fill in your details. Once your number is registered, telemarketers and other organizations will be required by law to stop calling you.

Download call blocker software or apps

There are a number of call blocker software and apps available that can help screen calls and protect your privacy. Some of these are free to download, while others may require a small fee. The app includes a database of known spammers, though you can add specific numbers that you want blocked.

Report overseas nuisance calls to the International Nuisance Call Bureau (INCB)

If you're receiving nuisance calls from overseas, you can report them to the INCB. The INCB is a government-funded organization that works with international regulators to investigate and take action against nuisance callers.

Block unwanted calls with your phone company

Most phone companies offer a call blocking service that can help to stop unwanted calls. To find out if your phone company offers this service, simply contact them and ask.

Change your number

If you're getting persistent nuisance calls, you may want to consider changing your phone number. This is usually a last resort, as it can be inconvenient and may not stop the calls completely.

In the first instance, however, read all forms and marketing consents in the check boxes. Very often by ticking these you are giving your permission to share your contact details with third parties. Don't tick any boxes if you don't want to be contacted.

By following these steps, you can help to stop unwanted spam calls and protect your privacy.

Spam call blocking on a Landline

Without mobile apps, it can be more tricky for people to prevent robo calls or spam from calling landline numbers. There are some alternatives.
The first step is to sign up for the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). This is a free service that allows you to opt out of receiving marketing calls. You can register your number with the TPS by calling 0345 070 0707 or visiting their website.

Once you're registered with the TPS, most legitimate companies will no longer call you. However, some scammers may still try to contact you. If you get an unwanted call, hang up immediately. Do not give them any personal information or money.

You can also install a call blocker on your landline phone. This will allow you to screen calls and block numbers that you don't want to receive. There are a few different call blockers available, so research and choose one that's right for you.

What to do if I keep getting unwanted calls?

First of all, you need to be aware that such calls are unfortunately, an everyday occurrence. Above all, you must be cautious and treat every unknown phone call as a potential scam. As the well-known saying goes - it's better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, the elderly are the most vulnerable to scammers, who may not be as aware or knowledgeable. If you hear someone calling from their bank, GP surgery or TV license, have no doubt that something may be wrong.

Younger people should therefore make their parents, grandparents and neighbours aware of such procedures. Only by raising public awareness we can deal with scammers.

If you receive such a phone call and have doubts about whether you are being scammed, there are several ways to find out. First of all, stay calm and start asking questions. You have a right to know who is calling, where they are calling from, where they got your number and details from.

If you have any doubts about the caller, never share or send your ID, driver's licence, pay slip, bank details, passwords, PIN, etc., to anyone else.

If during the call, you are asked to log in to bank account mobile application, or got sent a message with a link and asked to click on it just ignore it. Most importantly, if you got asked to send a copy of your ID or make a payment, think carefully before proceeding! Any of this type of request is suspicious.

If your caller is aggressive and tries to intimidate you - hang up.

Any conversation you are unsure of you can and should check with the institution your caller claims to be. Every phone call should be recorded in their system. If in doubt hang up and call the service's official number found online.

Remember that you don't have to take anyone's word for it - ask, check and stay be suspicious. If your vigilance is dulled, you could be scammed.

How the spam block calls app works

Spam blocking apps work by identifying suspicious or unwanted callers and then blocking their calls from coming through to your phone. They do this by using a variety of methods, including analyzing the caller's number, looking for patterns in call behavior, and comparing the caller's number to a database of known spam numbers.

There are a few different spam blocking apps available, so it's important to choose one that fits your needs. Some apps only block calls from known spam numbers, while others use more advanced methods to block a wider range of suspicious callers. Once you've installed a spam blocking app, it's important to keep it up to date so that it can continue to effectively block spam calls. Most apps will automatically update their databases of known spam numbers, but you may need to manually update the app if there are new numbers that need to be added.

If you're getting a lot of unwanted calls, a spam blocking app can be a helpful way to reduce the number of nuisance calls you receive. Just remember to choose an app that fits your needs and keep it up to date so that it can continue to protect you from unwanted callers.

How to block a number in mobile phone

If you find yourself getting calls from a number that you'd rather not deal with, you can block it on your phone. Most mobile phones offer spam protection service. Blocking a number will prevent the caller from being able to reach you and will also stop any unwanted calls or texts. Here's how to block a number on phone app:

1. Open the Phone app.

2. Tap the more options icon (the three dots in the top-right corner).

3. Open Settings.

4. Tap Blocked numbers.

5. Tap Add number, then enter the number you want to block and tap Block contact.

If you change your mind, you can unblock a number. If you are unsure who is calling, you can check the number on the Internet - many scam numbers are being registered on the Do Not Call List.

Where to report a nuisance call or text message

If you receive a nuisance call or text, you can report it to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The easiest way is to use their online reporting tool https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/nuisance-calls-and-messages/

You can also report unwanted calls and texts to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). The TPS is a free service that allows you to opt out of marketing calls.

Once you have reported the call or text, you should receive a confirmation from the ICO or TPS. If you do not receive a confirmation, you can contact them to follow up on your report. They fine legitimate companies that break the law.

If you continue to receive nuisance calls or texts after you have reported them, you can make a complaint to Ofcom (which covers silent and abandoned calls). Ofcom is the UK's communications regulator, and they can investigate your complaint if they think the call or text breaks the law. You can make a complaint to Ofcom by visiting their website or by calling their customer service team.

If you need more help or advice you can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

What to do if I’ve been a victim of a phone scam?

If you’ve been the victim of a phone scam, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your finances. First, it’s important to report the incident to the authorities. This will help them track down the scammers and prevent others from becoming victims. You should also contact your bank or credit card company to cancel any accounts that may have been compromised. Finally, be sure to change any passwords or PIN numbers that the scammer may have obtained. By taking these steps, you can help protect yourself from further financial harm.

If you have been scammed on the phone or in any other way, if you have given out personal information that can be used by fraudsters or paid money into their account, contact Action Fraud https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or by calling them on 0300 123 2040.This is the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.

If you are being harassed by nuisance calls or text messages, you contact the Police. Harassment is a criminal offence and the police can investigate your complaint if they think the call or text breaks the law.

If you think you may have been scammed by a particular company, you can also report them to the Citizens Advice consumer service. And if you’ve been scammed out of money, you should also contact your bank or credit card provider as soon as possible to try and get your money back.