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Recent Community Reports

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The HMRC Scam

In 2023, HMRC reported over 130,000 phone scams, with victims losing an average of £3,000 each. Scammers impersonate tax officials, claiming you owe back taxes and threatening legal action. And if this number seems high enough, we believe that many more successful scams were not reported.

“If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from HMRC, it is best to hang up and contact HMRC directly using the phone number on their official website. Remember, HMRC will never demand immediate payment or threaten legal action.”

— HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Official Guidance [Source]

65%

of reported HMRC scams involve threats of legal action.

£0

Average loss per victim.

Most reported number:

“They said I had unpaid taxes. It was terrifying!”

Advice: HMRC will never use aggressive tactics or demand immediate payment over the phone. If in doubt, hang up and contact HMRC directly using the number on their official website.

The Tech Support Scam

Our data shows a 15% increase in tech support scam reports in the past six months. Callers claim to be from companies like BT or TalkTalk, saying your internet is compromised. Legitimate UK tech companies don’t make unsolicited calls about your devices. We discovered they often pretend to be from a different service provider offering better deals and even have your personal details, making them more believable. However, we found that the scammers obtain your details by buying your personal information from data sellers.

“If you get an unsolicited call claiming to be from a tech support team, do not provide personal details or access to your computer. Legitimate companies do not make such calls.”

— Action Fraud, UK’s National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre [Source]

15%

of tech support scams involve false claims of internet issues.

£0

Average reported losses.

“I was tricked into giving access to my computer. It was a nightmare!”

Advice: Never provide personal information or payment details over the phone unless you initiated the call.

The Bank Fraud Alert Scam

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reported a 40% rise in bank impersonation scams in 2023. Scammers pose as your bank’s fraud department, often spoofing the bank’s actual phone number.

“Never share your personal details or financial information over the phone, especially if you did not initiate the call. Banks will never ask you for sensitive information in this manner.”

— Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Official Advice [Source]

40%

of bank fraud scams involve spoofed caller IDs.

£0

Average loss reported.

“I was told my account was compromised. They seemed so real!”

Advice: Always verify directly with your bank using the contact details on their official website.

The Pension Scam

With the recent changes to UK pension regulations, scammers are capitalizing on confusion. They offer “free pension reviews” or claim to have better investment opportunities.

Recent Event: In March 2024, the UK government launched a new campaign, ScamSmart, to educate the public about pension scams. Visit the FCA’s ScamSmart website for the latest information.

“Be wary of unsolicited calls regarding pensions. Always verify with a legitimate financial advisor or check the FCA’s register to ensure you are dealing with a reputable firm.”

— The Pensions Regulator, UK [Source]

25%

of pension scams are conducted via cold calls.

£0

Average losses reported.

“They promised me high returns. It felt too good to be true!”

Advice: Be cautious of any unsolicited offers regarding your pension. Always consult a financial advisor.

The Lottery or Prize Scam

Our database shows numerous reports of scammers claiming to represent the National Lottery or Premium Bonds.

Under the Gambling Act 2005, it’s illegal to sell lottery tickets by telephone. Legitimate UK lotteries will never ask you to pay to collect winnings or offer you to buy the tickets.

“If you didn’t enter a lottery, you can’t win. Legitimate lotteries never require you to pay fees to collect a prize.”

— National Lottery Official Guidelines [Source]

30%

of lottery scams are reported by victims.

£0

Average loss reported.

“I was told I’d won a prize, but I had to pay first. I should have known better!”

Advice: If you receive a call about a lottery win that you didn’t enter, it’s likely a scam. Hang up immediately.

Common Phone Scams in the UK: Insights from WhosRinging.co.uk

At whosringing.co.uk, we’ve seen firsthand how phone scams continue to plague UK residents. Our database of numbers reveals an alarming trend: scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. We share insights from our user reports and provide up-to-date information on the most common phone scams targeting UK citizens, in effort to help prevent you falling foul.

For more information on scams, visit Action Fraud.

Beware of Common Scam Tactics

DON’T download any computer software Scammers are now using legitimate softwares like AnyDesk and Chrome Remote-Desktop, to get access to your computer. A bank will not ask you do to this. .
Urgency and Threats: Scammers create a sense of urgency, claiming you owe money or there’s an emergency.
Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive information like your bank details over the phone.
Unfamiliar Numbers: If the caller ID shows a number you don’t recognise, especially from a foreign country, be cautious

Find out more

Who called me ?

Use Our Reverse Lookup

We despise scammers. They ruin lives and cause insurmountable amounts of stress. Please use our service freely, to help yourself and others in identifying criminals. One of the most effective ways to spot a scam call is by using the Who’s Ringing? service.

Our service allows you to reverse search any suspicious phone number to check if it has been reported by others that use this free service. Enabling you to find out who called you, as well as share your experience of an scam number that called you.

We’re Helping Thousands of People Avoid Scams

Report a Scam: If you have been a victim of a scam, you can report it to Action Fraud through our dedicated button.

Report to Action Fraud

Check Your Number: Use our button to verify your number with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce unwanted calls.

TPS | Check My Number

Remember: Not all incoming calls are scams; many are from legitimate sources such as businesses, friends, or family. However, it’s always wise to stay cautious, especially with unfamiliar numbers.

Who Called me?

Our free reverse number lookup provides quick a quick answer to “Who called me?”. Recognising how to spot common scam tactics and suspicious calls is essential for protecting yourself.

Here’s the most common scam tactics we’ve identified :

Claims to be a family member needing money due to a broken phone, often reaching out via WhatsApp.
Reports that a close relative has been in an accident.
Claims to be an old friend to gather personal information, acting as if they dialled the wrong number.
Uses automated systems that mimic human interaction by listening for specific words.
Offers significant discounts or free iPhones if you enroll in a new phone plan.
Attempts to obtain your mobile network passwords.
Calls with claims of hidden issues with your internet connection, suggesting software installation to reveal fake errors.
Informs you that your computer is spreading viruses and offers help to resolve the issue.

Received an Unknown Call? Discover the Caller for Free

Did you receive a call from an unfamiliar number? Use our free search to identify the caller.

If you’re curious about who called you, our website offers a free reverse number lookup service. Whether you’re wondering ‘who called me?’ or you’ve received a suspicious text message, our free and user-friendly search can help you find the answers quickly and accurately. The “Who’s Ringing” platform was created for everyone, and uses information reports to identify scam callers based on shared experiences of our community. Our easy-to-use search and self reporting tool helps our platform grow daily.

How Can ‘Who’s Ringing?’ Help Me Identify a Phone Number?

Our reverse lookup allows you to identify callers without needing to call back. Some reported that calling back scam numbers led to high charges at premium rates, costing up to £100 per call. Checking the number with WhosRinging? and reading feedback from others can help you avoid falling victim.

Most scam calls use recorded messages to scare you into staying on the line with false claims about compromised bank accounts or debts to HMRC. While many recognise these as scams, reading others’ comments can reduce stress and confirm you’re not alone in receiving these illegitimate calls.

What If the Number I Search Has No Records?

If there’s no information on a number that called or texted you, reporting it and sharing your experience with us helps others avoid scams.

Is Calling Back an Unknown Number a Good Idea?

No. Returning calls to unknown numbers is risky, especially if the number is premium-rated. Scammers keep you on the line with recorded messages to rack up charges. Premium numbers often start with 09 or short numbers beginning with 5-8. Be cautious of numbers starting with 070, 0871, 0872, 0873, and 118, as they can be costly. The safest way to identify a caller is by using our platform’s search function.

Legitimate companies usually contact customers via email and postal mail. If you don’t recognise a number, genuine callers will leave a voicemail. Searching the number and checking its reputation on our platform is the best way to identify an unknown caller.

Identify and Check Numbers from Text Messages

Receiving texts from unknown numbers claiming to be from a bank or delivery company can also be unsettling. With WhosRinging?, you can perform a reverse number search to learn more about numbers requesting you to click a link or make a payment. This can help prevent fraud. Never click on suspicious links; instead, search the number and report it if it seems suspicious. Texts can be harder to avoid, as scam texts often mimic genuine messages and contain harmful links. Scams involving competitions or rewards also use texts to trick you into responding, leading to high charges. Avoid responding to unknown numbers and texts with no links.

Share your experience and help others

Scams and frauds will always exist, but by sharing your experiences, you can help protect others. “Who’s Ringing?” offers a solution to identify callers and prevent scams. By contributing to the community, we can all stay safe and avoid falling victim to scams.