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Report a scam call or textI keep getting unwanted calls and text messages, what can I do?
If you’re being continuously bothered by nuisance calls and texts, there are things you can do to put a stop to it. Find out where and how to complain here.
There are two types of nuisance calls, those are silent calls and unwanted marketing calls.
It’s important to make the distinction because regulator Ofcom deals with silent calls while the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) deals with marketing calls.
If you're concerned about unwanted marketing calls you can register your phone number with the TPS.
This is free and easy to do, but unfortunately, it doesn’t guarantee to stop all nuisance calls.
The TPS doesn't cover international calls, market research calls or calls from companies to which you've given your consent.
Stopping nuisance calls and texts
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If you’ve registered with the TPS and still receive nuisance calls, you can make a complaint and the TPS will investigate.
But the TPS doesn’t have enforcement powers so it can’t penalise the company responsible for bombarding you with nuisance calls.
Although the TPS is unable to prosecute, it does send complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) which has the power to take action.
It's against the law for companies to call consumers who are registered with the TPS without their clear consent.
If you are being bombarded by nuisance calls, you should report the caller to the ICO.
Is it a scam?
Several companies offer nuisance call prevention services. But can these call-blocking companies be trusted?
In addition, some consumers have reported getting calls from fraudsters pretending to be from the TPS and asking them to pay to register.
Report scam calls to Action Fraud, or Police Scotland if you live in Scotland.
To keep up to date on the latest scams in circulation and advice on how to spot and avoid these scams, sign up for free Which? Scam Alerts.
Dealing with spam texts
Spam text messaging is also on the increase especially messages about debt management, accident claims and mis-sold finance.
Sending nuisance text messages is illegal so if you're receiving spam texts you should also report this to the ICO.
There are steps you can take to stop receiving spam text messages.
Landline call blocking services
Phone companies offer a number of services that can help protect against nuisance calls.
Some of these services are free, and for some of them, monthly charges can apply and may vary depending on what package you have signed up to.
Services include caller display, which shows you the number of the person calling; incoming call blocking, which prevents selected numbers from getting through; and last caller identification - or 1471.
Ofcom provides guides to help ensure consumer information about nuisance calls and messages is accessible to a wide audience.
Our Calling Time campaign win
We campaigned to call time on nuisance calls & texts.
We called for a tough new approach from the government, with regulators given new powers to police and punish companies that break the rules.
Thanks to your support, we convinced the government to lower the threshold for the ICO to take action against cold calling firms and new regulations to let Ofcom and the ICO share information on rogue companies.