Who rang me? Look up a missed call
Find out what the number is before you decide whether to call it back.
Start with your call history
There's a missed call on your phone and you've no idea whose number it is. Before ringing it, copy it into the search box above. You'll quickly see what sort of number it is, where it's registered, what a call back might cost and what other people said after it rang them.
Most missed calls turn out to be harmless: a parcel driver, the dentist, a company replying to an enquiry. A few are scams that only pay off if you call back without thinking. So do it in that order: look it up, then decide.
What the missed call might mean
| What happened | It's often | Best response |
|---|---|---|
| Rang once, then hung up | A wrong number, a dropped call or a one-ring callback scam | Look it up first, and take extra care with 09 and overseas numbers. |
| Silence when you picked up | A call centre auto-dialler that had no agent free | Hang up. If it keeps happening, block it and report silent calls to Ofcom. |
| Left a voicemail | Usually someone who genuinely needs to reach you | Listen to it, then check they are who they say before you return the call. |
| Keeps ringing from the same number | Sales teams, debt collection or harassment | Search it and block it. Bring in your provider or the police if it becomes threatening. |
| Looks very like your own number | Spoofing designed to look local | Treat it as unknown and check it before answering. |
| Shows as private or withheld | The caller has chosen to hide their number | Nothing to look up. Your network can usually block withheld calls. |
These are patterns, not certainties. The reports on each number's own page are the best guide to what it actually does.
Tracking down who rang
- Write down the details: the full number, the time, and whether they left a message.
- Look the number up above, starting with 0 or +44.
- Read the reports. People often describe exactly what the caller wanted.
- Check your voicemail and texts. Real callers usually explain themselves.
- Dial 1471 from a landline to hear the last caller, if your provider offers it.
- Hold off ringing back premium, overseas or unidentified numbers.
Should you call back?
- You were expecting it and know the caller: calling back is normally fine.
- They said they were your bank, HMRC or the police: don't use the number that rang. Use the one on your card, a letter or the official website.
- It starts with 09 or a foreign code: it could be expensive. Look it up first, including the country code for overseas numbers, or see reported international numbers.
- Others have reported it as a scam: don't call. Block it and add your rating.
Reporting and blocking calls
- Scam texts: forward them to 7726, free on every major network.
- Fraud: report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
- Sales calls: sign up free to the Telephone Preference Service.
- Unwanted marketing: complain to the ICO. Silent and abandoned calls go to Ofcom.
- Threats or harassment: contact your phone provider and the police.
More help: our who called me UK guide, what a prefix reveals on whose telephone number is this, the area code finder, UK mobile networks, common scam calls and how to report a scam number.
Questions about missed calls
How do I find out who rang me?
Take the number from your missed calls and search it on this page. You'll see the type of line, the area it belongs to, what calling back costs and any ratings from other people. If your phone shows "No Caller ID" or "Withheld", there's nothing to search.
Who rang me a few minutes ago?
Open your recent calls, note the number and time, and look it up here. If no number is shown, the caller hid it and it can't be traced online.
Who rang me from an unknown UK number?
Search the number from your call history. 01 and 02 are landlines tied to a place, 07 is usually a mobile, and 03, 08 and 09 numbers have no location. Ratings show whether others got the same call.
Why did a number ring once and then stop?
It might be a dropped call or a wrong number. But a single ring is also how the "one-ring" scam works: it hopes you'll call back an expensive premium or overseas number. Look it up before you do.
Is it safe to ring back a missed call?
Check the number first. Calling back can cost money and confirms your number is in use. If the caller said they were from an organisation, call that organisation on a number you've found yourself.
Can I find out who rang if there's no voicemail?
You can still search the number, though you may not get a name. You'll see the line type, location and other people's reports. Most genuine callers leave a message or try again.
What does 1471 do?
On many UK landlines, dialling 1471 tells you the last number that called and when, and may offer to connect you back. It won't reveal withheld numbers, and the details vary between providers.
Who do I tell about nuisance or silent calls?
Forward scam texts to 7726, report fraud to Action Fraud, sign up to the TPS to cut sales calls, complain to the ICO about unwanted marketing and report silent or abandoned calls to Ofcom.