If you think you’ve received a scam call, text or message, the most important thing is not to engage with it. Don’t reply, click any links, press any buttons or share personal or financial details.
What you do next depends on your situation.
I have received a suspicious call, text or message
If it was a call
- Hang up if you have any suspicion it might be a scam.
- Don’t call back if you don’t recognise the number: especially numbers beginning 070, 076, 084, 087, 090, 091 or 118, which can be premium rate and which could result in high call costs.
- If you believe the call was a scam, forward the phone number to 7726 (free of charge). This alerts your mobile provider to investigate and potentially block the number.
Some phones, apps and providers might warn you if a call looks like spam or a possible scam. These warnings can help, but they are not always right. If you’re unsure, hang up if you’re answered the call, or ideally don’t answer it at all. You might also be able to block or report the number using your phone’s settings or call-screening service. Call screening features might be included with your mobile phone, such as Apple’s Screen Unknown Callers, or Samsung’s Smart Call, or available from apps such as Hiya or Truecaller.
If the caller claims to be from a particular organisation, you should call them back using a number from that organisation’s official website or your account statement, not the number the caller gave you. Pause before calling back. Consider whether you might be being pressured by someone who is not who they claim to be.
Remember: Ofcom will never call you out of the blue and will never ask for your bank or personal details. A call claiming to be from Ofcom is a scam.
How to report a mobile call to 7726
- iPhone: Open recent calls, select the number, then copy or share it in a text to 7726. You can watch our video that explains how to do this.
- Android: Open recent calls, select the number, then copy or share it in a text to 7726. You can watch our video that explains how to do this.
If it was a text or message
- Do not click any links in the message.
- Do not reply, even to opt out — if the sender is unknown, replying confirms your number is active.
- Report: you can forward SMS texts to 7726 (free of charge). This alerts your mobile provider to investigate and block the number, and you can also use built-in features on your phone to report it. If you received the message in a different format such as an iMessage or through a service such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal, use the features in the relevant app to block and report the sender.
- Delete the message from your phone.
Types of messages
There are different types of messages you might receive on your mobile. Below we explain what you can do about each:
- SMS texts are standard mobile text messages sent through the mobile network. You normally access these using iMessage app (iPhone) or Google Messages (Android).
- Rich Communications Services (RCS) messages are also sent through your phone’s messaging app. They can look like normal texts, but might include features such as read receipts, typing indicators and higher-quality photos.
- iMessage is Apple’s messaging service, used in iMessage between Apple devices.
- Message through services such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal.
How to report messages
You can report text messages (including SMS, RCS and iMessages) using built-in features on your phone. You can also forward suspicious text messages (SMS) to 7726. Where possible, it is helpful to do both to ensure both the app provider and your phone company can take action.
Forward a text to 7726
7726 spells SPAM on a phone keypad — an easy way to remember it.
- iPhone: Tap and hold on the message, tap More, then the forward arrow, and send to 7726.
You can watch our video that explains how to do this. - Android: Tap and hold on the message, tap Forward, and send to 7726.
You can watch our video that explains how to do this.
Report spam text messages on your mobile
- iPhone: on iMessage, swipe left on the message, tap delete, then tap Delete and Report Spam. If you have already opened it, tap Report Spam at the bottom of the message, then Delete and Report Spam. You can also block the sender to stop further messages.
- Android: on Google Messages, touch and hold the conversation, then tap Block. Select Report spam, then tap OK.
I have already shared information or sent money
If you think you’ve been scammed, act quickly.
- Contact your bank or card provider immediately. Call the number on the back of your card, use your bank’s website or app, or if your bank supports it, call 159 to be connected safely to your bank. They might be able to stop a payment or recover funds.
- Report the scam. Report to Report Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101.
- If you clicked a link or installed something on your phone, contact your mobile provider. Avoid using banking apps on the device until you’re sure it is safe.
I feel threatened or unsafe
If you’re in immediate danger
Call 999.
If you’re receiving threatening calls
Abusive, threatening or harassing calls are a criminal offence. If you’re not in immediate danger but are receiving threatening calls, call your phone company straight away and ask for their nuisance or malicious calls team. They can take steps to help protect you. Also report the calls to the police by calling 101.
If you’ve been affected by a scam
For free, confidential support if you have been affected by a scam, contact Citizens Advice online or call 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm). In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland online or call 0808 164 6000.
I received a missed call from a number I don't recognise
Think carefully before calling back. Missed call scams leave a missed call from a number designed to make you curious. If you call back, you are connected to a premium-rate service and charged for the call. These scams are sometimes called Wangiri scams, from the Japanese for ‘one (ring) and cut’.
- Numbers beginning 070, 076, 084, 087, 090, 091 or 118, and unfamiliar international numbers, are commonly used.
- If you’re unsure, do not call back. Search the number online first as many scam numbers are flagged by other people.
- If you think you have already fallen victim, contact your phone company and report it to Report Fraud (or Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland).
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