Most of us get them: calls from unfamiliar numbers, sometimes several a day. Some are obvious spam, others seem oddly specific. This guide explains why it happens and what you can do about it without spending a penny.
Where These Callers Get Your Number
Your number ends up on calling lists in several ways:
- Data breaches. When a company you signed up with is hacked, your details — including your phone number — can end up sold in bulk to marketing companies or scammers.
- Online forms and competitions. Entering your number on a website, especially for a “free prize” or a quote request, often means it is sold to third parties.
- Directory listings. Some older directory services published numbers publicly, and that data has been scraped and resold many times over.
- Number-dialling software. Scammers often use software that simply dials every possible number combination in a region. They do not need your number specifically — they just try them all.
What These Callers Actually Want
Most unwanted calls fall into one of these categories:
- Sales calls — someone trying to sell you insurance, solar panels, or a broadband deal.
- Scam calls — someone pretending to be your bank, HMRC, a police officer, or a tech company, trying to get your personal details or money.
- Robocalls — automated recordings asking you to press a number to “claim” something or “avoid legal action.”
What to Do About It
You have a few practical options:
- Do not answer numbers you do not know. If it is important, they will leave a voicemail.
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service (UK). Go to tpsonline.org.uk and add your number. This legally stops companies from cold-calling you — though it does not stop scammers who ignore the rules.
- Use your phone’s built-in call blocking. Both iPhones and Android phones let you block individual numbers. If a number calls repeatedly, block it in your recent calls list.
- Enable “silence unknown callers.” On iPhones, this is under Settings › Phone. It sends calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail. Android has a similar spam-filtering option.
- Never press any key on a robocall. It confirms your number is active and leads to more calls.
A Word on Scam Calls Specifically
No real bank, government department, or technology company will ever call you out of the blue and ask for your password, PIN, or bank details. If you receive a call like this, hang up. If you are worried, call the organisation back using a number from their official website — not a number the caller gave you.
Unwanted calls are genuinely annoying, but once you know the tricks above, you can reduce them significantly and stay safe.