Phone Call Types in the UK
Explore every type of phone call reported by our community. From common scams to legitimate organisations, understand who is calling and why.
Spam / Nuisance Calls
6,238 reportsMobile Network Scam (EE, O2, Three, Vodafone)
Callers claim to be from networks such as EE, O2, Three or Vodafone. They talk about upgrades or issues with your account and try to gather personal details.
Bank Impersonation Scam
Criminals pretend to be from your bank to get hold of your account details and take your money. They say there is suspicious activity and urge you to move funds to a safe account that they control.
Persistent / Harassing Caller
Numbers that ring again and again, sometimes several times a day. This can be linked to pushy debt collectors, sales teams or harassment.
Energy / Utility Scam
Fraudsters claim to be from energy firms such as British Gas or EDF. They talk about new tariffs or unpaid bills and push you to hand over bank details.
Telemarketing / Sales Call
Unwanted sales calls from firms trying to sell goods or services. They may be legal, but repeated calls, especially to numbers on the TPS list, are a nuisance.
Robocall / Automated Message
Recorded messages sent out by automatic dialling systems. They often promote scams, fake debt help or unwanted services and may tell you to press a number.
Home Improvement Scam (Loft, Damp, etc)
Cold callers offer free checks for loft insulation, damp issues or wall insulation. The sales visit often ends with costly or unnecessary work.
Insurance Sales Scam
Unwanted callers offer insurance at very low prices or say your policy needs urgent renewal. They take payment for cover that is worthless or not real.
Identity Theft ("New Number" / WhatsApp Scam)
Scammers message or call pretending to be a friend or relative with a new number, often on WhatsApp. They claim there is an emergency and ask for money.
HMRC / Tax Scam
Fraudsters claim to be from HMRC, saying you owe tax or are due a refund. They may threaten arrest, play recorded messages, or demand payment straight away, often asking for gift vouchers.
Sky / TV Subscription Scam
Scammers pretend to be from Sky, offering special deals, saying your contract is ending or threatening to cut off your service unless you pay.
Car Finance / Mis-sold Finance Scam
Callers say your car finance was mis sold and that you are due compensation. They ask for personal and financial details and may charge a fee for claims that never happen.
Amazon Scam
Callers claim to be from Amazon about a problem with your account or a purchase you did not make. They ask you to press a number or share account information.
Debt Help / Gift Card Scam
Callers offer to clear or manage your debts for a fee paid upfront. Some pretend to be charities. The help never arrives and your money is gone.
Lottery / Prize Scam
Scammers tell you that you have won a lottery or prize draw you never entered. They ask for a fee or bank details to release winnings that do not exist.
Delivery Scam (Royal Mail, DPD, etc)
Scammers pose as Royal Mail, DPD, Hermes or Amazon. They say a parcel could not be delivered and ask for a small fee or your details to arrange delivery.
Tech Support Scam (Microsoft, etc)
Criminals say they are from Microsoft, BT or your internet provider and warn that your computer is at risk. They ask for remote access and charge for repairs that are not needed.
PPI / Claims Scam
Callers say you are owed PPI money and offer to handle the claim for a charge. Many are not authorised and some use the call to gather your personal data.
Investment / Trading Scam
Fraudsters offer investment deals in shares, bonds or property that sound far too good. They copy real firm details and rush you into sending money.
Crypto Scam (Binance, Bitcoin, etc)
Scammers promote fake cryptocurrency schemes and promise high returns. They use slick sales talk and push you to send money quickly.
Appliance Warranty Scam
Callers say your appliance cover is about to run out and offer extended protection at inflated prices. The cover often has heavy restrictions or does not exist.
Survey
Calls for market research, political polling or customer feedback. Many are genuine, though some are used to gather personal data or lead into a sales pitch.
Other Scam
Phone scams that do not fit into the usual groups. These calls are unexpected, apply pressure and ask for personal information.
Prank Call
Calls made as a joke, including abuse or repeated silent calls. What starts as mischief can become harassment if it carries on.
Legitimate Calls
235 reportsBusiness
Everyday business calls such as booking confirmations, service updates or replies to an enquiry you have made.
Finance Company (Genuine)
Legitimate contact from mortgage lenders, loan firms or financial advisers about existing accounts, payment reminders or agreed call backs.
NHS
Calls from NHS services about appointments, vaccinations, test results or other health matters. The NHS does not ask for payment over the phone.
Bank (Genuine)
Genuine calls from your bank about account activity, security alerts or service updates. A real bank will not ask for your full PIN or password, or tell you to move money.
Utility Company (Genuine)
Genuine calls from energy, water or broadband providers about meter readings, account queries, visits or service updates.
Charity
Calls from registered charities seeking donations, sharing campaign news or thanking supporters. Real charities will not force you to pay at once.
Mobile Network (Genuine)
Genuine calls from your mobile network about billing, service changes or account matters. They will not ask for your full password.
Delivery (Genuine)
Calls from delivery drivers or courier firms about a parcel, access to your address or rearranging delivery. Drivers often ring from a mobile.
Insurance (Genuine)
Legitimate calls from your insurer about renewals, claims or account queries linked to a policy you hold.
Hospital
Calls from hospitals about appointments, treatment updates or test results. They usually come from a recognised landline linked to the hospital.
Government / Council
Genuine contact from government departments, councils or agencies such as the DVLA about council tax, benefits or official notices.
Personal / Friend / Family
Calls from friends, family or other personal contacts. A new or unfamiliar number may simply mean they are using a different phone.
GP / Pharmacy
Calls from your GP surgery or local pharmacy about appointments, prescriptions, test results or follow up care. These are routine health matters.
School
Calls from schools, colleges or nurseries about attendance, events, meetings or pupil welfare. These are normal parts of school life.
Gym / Leisure
Calls from gyms or leisure centres about membership, class bookings or updates to facilities.
Unknown Calls
1,304 reportsSilent Call / Hung Up
Calls where no one speaks and the line remains quiet before ending. This can happen with automatic dialling systems or deliberate nuisance calls.
Called But Left No Message
The caller connected but left no message. This is common with automated systems, sales calls or people who hang up at voicemail.
Missed Call
Calls not answered in time, with no voicemail left and no familiar number shown. It is wise to check the number before ringing back.
Callback Request
A call that appears to ask for a return call, but the caller or reason is unclear. Take care before ringing unknown numbers.
Unknown / Not Enough Info
Calls with too little detail to work out who rang or why. The call may have been brief or unclear and cannot be placed in another group.
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