Who is calling me from this number?
Check the caller while your phone is still ringing. You don't have to answer to find out.
A number you don't know is calling
No need to rush to answer. Type the number from your screen into the box above and in a few seconds you'll know what kind of line it is, where it's registered, what calling back would cost and what happened when it rang other people. It works for every UK number, and for overseas numbers too.
This page is for calls that are coming in now. If you've already missed the call, see who rang me. For what the first digits say about the owner, read whose telephone number is this.
While the phone is ringing
- Read the whole number, including any international code.
- Look it up here, on a second device if that's easier.
- Let voicemail take it. Real callers say who they are and why they called.
- If you pick up, give nothing away. Don't confirm your name, address or any account details.
- Ignore recorded prompts. Don't press a key for a message you weren't expecting.
- Hang up if you feel pressured. Any genuine organisation will let you call it back.
Warning signs during the call
| If the caller | Why it's a problem | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Rushes you or makes threats | Fear and urgency stop you thinking straight | End the call. A genuine organisation will happily wait for you to ring back. |
| Asks for a PIN, password or one-time code | Legitimate companies never ask for these on the phone | Say no and hang up. |
| Says your account has been compromised | Fake "fraud department" calls are the most common bank scam | Hang up and dial 159 or the number on your card. |
| Wants you to move money to a "safe account" | No bank ever asks customers to do this | Stop and contact your bank yourself. |
| Asks to access your computer or phone | Remote access lets them get into your banking | Never install software a caller tells you to. |
| Recorded voice telling you to press 1 | Pressing a key confirms your number is live | Hang up without pressing anything. |
| Says you've won a prize or are owed a refund | A lure to get your card details or a "fee" | Ignore it. You can't win a competition you never entered. |
One of these on its own might have an innocent explanation. Two or more together means it's time to hang up.
Already answered and handed something over?
- Gave a PIN, password or code: call your bank now on the number on your card or dial 159, and change the password.
- Sent money: tell your bank at once. The sooner you call, the more likely they can stop it.
- Let someone into your computer: turn it off, unplug it from the internet and get it checked.
- Use a different phone to call the bank if possible. Some landlines stay connected for a short time after the scammer hangs up.
- Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and forward scam texts to 7726.
Numbers that look suspicious
- Private or withheld: there's nothing to look up. Ask your network about rejecting withheld calls.
- Nearly identical to your own number: a spoofing trick to look local. Check it like any other unknown number.
- A foreign country code: search the full number with its code to see the country. Our international numbers page lists the ones UK visitors have reported.
- Shows as your bank or HMRC: caller ID can be faked, so call back on an official number.
See the scam calls doing the rounds, check a list with the bulk number checker, read our who called me UK guide, or reduce sales calls with the Telephone Preference Service.
Questions about incoming calls
Who is calling me from this number?
Type the number on your screen into the box at the top of the page. You'll see the line type, where it's registered, the cost of calling back and what other people said about it. Calls marked withheld or No Caller ID have no number to search.
Who is ringing me right now?
Read the number off your screen and look it up here. You don't need to answer. If it says private or withheld, let it ring out or go to voicemail.
How can I tell if a caller is in the UK?
UK numbers start with 0 or +44. Landlines begin 01 or 02, mobiles 07, and 03, 08 and 09 numbers aren't linked to a place. Because of spoofing, a UK-looking number doesn't guarantee the caller is in the UK.
Can I check who's calling without paying?
Yes. Every lookup is free and there's nothing to sign up for. You get the line type, area, call cost and ratings from other people. We don't sell data, and we only show a name if a caller gave one and someone reported it.
How do I know if the caller is a scammer?
Look the number up, then pay attention to what the caller asks. Pressure to act now, requests for codes or passwords, claims your account is under attack, or instructions to move money are classic scam signs. No real bank will ever ask you to transfer money to a "safe account".
Do I have to answer calls from unknown numbers?
Not at all. Anyone with a real reason to reach you will leave a voicemail or send a message. If you do answer, don't give personal details and don't press buttons for automated messages.
I've already given a caller my details. What should I do?
Call your bank straight away on the number on your card, or dial 159. Change any password you shared and report the call to Action Fraud. The faster you act, the better the chance of stopping a payment.
Can I see who is calling before I pick up?
Your phone shows the number, and some networks label suspected spam. If it isn't a contact, look it up here while it rings or just afterwards. A missed call can always be checked later.