SALES CALLS
Register with the TPS
The Telephone Preference Service is free for home phones and mobiles. Legitimate marketers must check it, though it can take up to 28 days to work.
Check a callWHAT OFCOM SAYS
A quieter phone,
one call at a time.
Not every unwanted call is the same.
HANG UP it is always safe
28% Did not know who to report suspicious content to
- Register with the TPS
- Switch on blocking
- Report to the right place
- Fewer calls, calmer days
A sales call, a recorded message, a silent line and a fake bank call each have their own rules and their own place to report. Knowing which is which is half the cure.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Name the call,
then use its fix.
Ofcom splits unwanted calls into types.
Each one has a different remedy.
BLOCKING
Let the phone screen for you
Most smartphones can block numbers, and many filter suspected spam calls. Check the setting is on, and ask your provider what it offers.
Four steps
LANDLINES
Help someone set it up
Call-blocking handsets can turn away withheld numbers or numbers not in the contacts list, which Ofcom says can help older or more vulnerable people.
See the numbersA QUICK CALL CHECK
What kind of call
was it?
Pick the call you had to see what Ofcom suggests. The bar shows how urgently the guidance says to act.
Based on Ofcom consumer guidance on unwanted calls and scam calls (July 2026). General information, not legal advice.
FOUR STEPS FOR A CALMER PHONE
Set it up once,
enjoy the quiet.
These come from Ofcom's consumer guidance. Most take a few minutes and cost nothing.
Join the TPS
Register free online or on 0345 070 0707. It covers home phones and mobiles and cuts legitimate sales calls, but it will not stop scammers.
Turn on blocking
Block repeat numbers from your call log, switch on your phone's spam filter, and ask your provider about network filtering or anonymous call rejection.
Guard your number
Avoid posting your number publicly, and tick the marketing opt-out when you give it for a delivery or a new account.
Keep a short log
Note the number, time and how often a caller rings. The ICO and Ofcom both ask for these details when you report.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
Reporting works,
if you know where.
One figure on why calls go unreported,
one on how far Ofcom can go about silent calls.
28%
Did not know who to report suspicious content to
In a January 2024 YouGov survey of 2,096 UK adults for Ofcom, 28% said they did not know who to report suspicious content to and 23% did not know how. Blocking and ignoring were the most common responses.
REPORTING · OFCOM 2024
£2m
Most Ofcom can fine a persistent offender
Ofcom monitors complaints about silent and abandoned calls and can investigate. An organisation that repeatedly makes them can be fined up to £2 million.
SILENT CALLS · OFCOM
The same Ofcom survey found 27% of people did not report suspicious content because they did not think any action would be taken. Ofcom says reports with the number, time and how often help it act.
IF A CALL FEELS WRONG
Stop, check,
then hang up.
Ofcom's advice is simple: do not press buttons or share personal details with anyone who calls unexpectedly, even if they already know things about you. Scammers use urgency, and a genuine caller will always give you time.
Call the organisation back on a number from its official website, or on 159 for your bank. Report scam calls to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or Police Scotland on 101. Citizens Advice can help on 0808 223 1133.
Questions
Questions people ask
Does the TPS stop all unwanted calls?
No. Ofcom says the Telephone Preference Service tells legitimate marketers you do not want sales calls, and they must check it. It will not block scam calls, and it can take up to 28 days for calls to drop after you register.
Is the TPS free?
Yes. You can register free online or by calling 0345 070 0707. It covers home phones and mobiles; business numbers use the separate Corporate TPS.
Why do I get calls where nobody speaks?
Ofcom says most silent and abandoned calls are caused by automated diallers in call centres, not by someone targeting you. Companies using diallers must show a number, so try 1471 on a landline and report persistent calls to Ofcom.
Who do I report a nuisance call to?
Sales calls, robocalls and spam texts go to the Information Commissioner's Office on 0303 123 1113. Silent or abandoned calls go to Ofcom on 0300 123 3333. Abusive calls go to your phone company and the police.
What is 159?
159 is a short number that connects customers of more than 99% of UK retail bank current accounts directly with their bank, according to Stop Scams UK. Unlike long numbers, it cannot be spoofed, so it is a safe way back after an unexpected call about money.
Where the facts come from
Updated