Who is calling me?

An unknown number can be a delivery driver, a doctor's surgery or a scammer. Here is how to work out which, without putting yourself at risk.

Before you answer

• Check whether the number is saved in your contacts. If not, let it go to voicemail. A genuine caller will usually leave a message.
• Look at how the number starts. Numbers beginning 07 are mobiles, 01 and 02 are landlines, 03 are non-geographic numbers and 09 are premium rate numbers that can be expensive to call back.
• Search the number online. If it is a scam, other people have often reported it.

Why the number can be misleading

Scammers can fake the number on your screen, which is called spoofing. A call that appears to come from your bank or a local number may not be from them at all. Do not trust the number shown on screen as proof of who is calling.

How to check safely

1. If the caller says they are from your bank, HMRC or another organisation, hang up.
2. Wait a minute or use a different phone, then call the organisation using the number on its official website or the back of your card. For banks you can dial 159.
3. Never give out a PIN, password or one-time code on a call you did not expect.

When it is safe to call back

Only call a number back if you have checked it first, and avoid numbers starting 09 or any number that looks very long or unusual. If you do not recognise a missed call from overseas, do not call back, as some are designed to make you phone a premium rate line.

Check a number in seconds

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