Is this call a scam? How to spot a scam phone call

If you have already paid or shared bank details, skip to what to do if you've already paid.

How can I tell if a call is a scam?

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) lists five tricks that scammers rely on. They work the same way on the phone as they do in a text or email:

1. Authority — the caller claims to be your bank, the police, a solicitor, a government department or another official body.
2. Urgency — you must act "now" or "immediately".
3. Emotion — the call makes you panic, afraid, hopeful or curious.
4. Scarcity — something in short supply: money, a refund, a deal.
5. Current events — something you might half-expect, such as a tax deadline.

Ofcom adds a few more signs that a caller isn't genuine:

• You're rushed. Ofcom says a genuine caller will always give you time.
• You're told to keep it secret. Genuine callers won't ask you to keep a call secret.
• You're asked for personal or financial information on a call you didn't expect.

Why can't I trust the number on my screen?

Scammers can change the caller ID that shows on your phone. Ofcom calls this number spoofing, and says it can make a call look as if it's from your bank, HMRC, a delivery company or a government body when it's really from a criminal.

So a call that shows your bank's real number, or a number you have saved, is not proof that your bank is calling. Looking the number up online can tell you whether other people have reported it, but a clean result doesn't make a call safe either, because the number can be borrowed.

Ofcom expects phone companies to block calls from abroad that fake a UK number, and it keeps a list of numbers that organisations such as banks use only to receive calls. It also says it won't be possible to stop every scam call getting through.

What do scam calls in the UK usually sound like?

"This is your bank's fraud team"

The caller says there's a problem with your account and you need to act. Take Five, the fraud awareness campaign run by the banking industry, warns against anyone asking you to:

• move money to a new or "safe" account
• share a one-time passcode, password or PIN.

Police Scotland says your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone.

"This is the police — we need your help"

This is often courier fraud. Take Five explains that criminals pretend to be from your bank, card provider, the police or a fraud team, claim there's an urgent problem, then arrange for a courier to collect your card, cash, jewellery, gold or other valuables from your home. Your bank or the police will never send a courier to collect your card, PIN, cash or valuables.

"HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you — press 1"

HMRC says it knows of an automated call scam that says HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you and tells you to press 1 to speak to a caseworker and make a payment. HMRC says this is a scam and you should end the call immediately. Other HMRC scam calls mention National Insurance number fraud or offer a tax refund and ask for your bank or card details.

"This is Ofcom" or another regulator

Ofcom says it doesn't make unsolicited calls, never asks for payment by phone and never asks for your bank details.

What should I do if I think a call is a scam?

1. Hang up. Ofcom's advice is to hang up if you have any doubt about who is calling — you can always call back.
2. Don't use the number the caller gave you. Call the organisation back on a number from its official website or on its published number.
3. For your bank, dial 159. 159 is a short number from Stop Scams UK that connects you to your own bank. Their advice: stop, hang up, call 159. You can also use the number on the back of your card or your banking app.
4. Wait a few minutes, or use another phone. Police Scotland warns that in courier fraud the criminal may keep the line open, so when you think you're ringing your bank you're passed to someone else in the gang. Police Scotland's advice is to hang up, wait a few minutes and call your bank on a number you know to be genuine. Calling from a different phone avoids the problem altogether.

Not sure about a message rather than a call? Paste it into our Scam Check.

How do I report a scam call?

• England, Wales and Northern Ireland: report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk (opens in a new tab) or on 0300 123 2040, the route the NCSC and Ofcom both give for scam calls.
• Scotland: call Police Scotland on 101.
• A call claiming to be from HMRC: use HMRC's Report a suspicious HMRC phone call (opens in a new tab) service. HMRC asks for the date of the call, the number used and what was said.
• A scam text (rather than a call): forward it free to 7726. See how to tell if a text message is a scam.

How do I stop scam and nuisance calls?

• Block the number on your phone. Ofcom notes that most smartphones let you block specific numbers, and many have built-in spam filters for calls and texts.
• Ask your phone or broadband provider about caller display, call blocking and anonymous call rejection. The NCSC suggests this; Ofcom notes some providers charge for extra blocking.
• Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). It's free online or on 0345 070 0707. Ofcom says legitimate marketers must check the register, and calls can take up to 28 days to reduce. It is aimed at legitimate sales calls, so don't rely on it to stop criminals.
• Report unwanted marketing calls to the Information Commissioner's Office on 0303 123 1113, and persistent silent calls to Ofcom on 0300 123 3333.

What if I've already paid or given details?

1. Call your bank now on 159 or the number on your card, from a different phone if you can. Tell them what you shared or paid.
2. Report it to Report Fraud (or Police Scotland on 101).
3. If you sent money by bank transfer, you may be able to get it back. The Payment Systems Regulator says that since 7 October 2024, banks must reimburse people tricked into sending money by UK bank transfer (Faster Payments or CHAPS), up to £85,000, with limited exceptions. Report it to your bank as soon as possible, and within 13 months of the payment. Banks can apply an optional £100 excess, but not to vulnerable customers, and refunds can be refused if you were complicit in the fraud or grossly negligent.
4. If you gave a password or code, change it on the real website or app and follow what to do if you clicked a scam link.

Common questions

Can scammers call from a real bank's phone number?

Yes. Ofcom says scammers can change the caller ID that appears on your phone, which is called number spoofing, so a call can look as if it comes from your bank, HMRC or a government body when it is really from a criminal. Hang up and call the organisation back on a number you find yourself, or dial 159 for your bank.

Will my bank ever ask me to move money to a safe account?

No. Take Five, the banking industry's fraud awareness campaign, warns that being asked to move money to a new or "safe" account is a sign of fraud, as is being asked for a one-time passcode, password or PIN. If a caller asks for this, hang up and call your bank on 159 or the number on your card.

Is a call from HMRC asking me to press 1 a scam?

Yes. HMRC says it knows of an automated call that claims HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you and tells you to press 1 to speak to a caseworker and make a payment. HMRC says this is a scam and you should end the call immediately, then report it with its suspicious phone call service.

Does the Telephone Preference Service stop scam calls?

No. The Telephone Preference Service is a free register that tells legitimate marketers you don't want sales calls, and Ofcom says calls can take up to 28 days to reduce after you sign up. It is aimed at legitimate marketers rather than criminals, so blocking numbers on your phone and asking your provider about call blocking are the better defence against scam calls.

Where do I report a scam phone call in the UK?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report scam calls to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. If the call claimed to be from HMRC, you can also use HMRC's online service for reporting a suspicious phone call.

Sources

• How to spot a scam email, text message or call — National Cyber Security Centre (opens in a new tab)
• Report a scam phone call — National Cyber Security Centre (opens in a new tab)
• How to protect yourself from scam calls, texts and messages — Ofcom (opens in a new tab)
• Number spoofing scams — Ofcom (opens in a new tab)
• Tackling scam calls and texts — Ofcom (opens in a new tab)
• Unwanted calls, texts and emails — Ofcom (opens in a new tab)
• General advice — Take Five to Stop Fraud (opens in a new tab)
• Courier fraud — Take Five to Stop Fraud (opens in a new tab)
• Courier fraud — Police Scotland (opens in a new tab)
• Stop, hang up, call 159 — Stop Scams UK (opens in a new tab)
• Examples of phishing emails, suspicious phone calls and texts — HM Revenue & Customs, GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
• Report suspicious HMRC emails, texts, social media accounts and phone calls — GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
• APP fraud reimbursement protections — Payment Systems Regulator (opens in a new tab)

Last checked: 25 September 2026