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Why Scam Calls Are Still Reaching UK Consumers

BBC Morning Live

Wednesday 15th April 2026

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Many people assume that signing up to the UK's Telephone Preference Service (TPS) will put an end to nuisance calls.

But is this the case?

Why TPS Can't Stop Scam Calls

The Telephone Preference Service is designed to block unwanted legitimate sales and marketing calls. Companies operating legally in the UK must check the TPS list before dialling.

  • But scammers do not follow UK law.

  • Criminals simply ignore TPS rules.

  • TPS only covers live and automated marketing calls, not fraud attempts.

  • Calls from overseas fall outside UK jurisdiction.

  • If you have ever ticked a box allowing a company to contact you, TPS will not override that permission.

Regulator Ofcom says scammers increasingly use number spoofing, which allows them to fake UK mobile or landline numbers and even imitate banks or government departments. Blocking these numbers rarely helps because the number shown on the screen is almost never the real source.

Why Some People Are Seeing a Spike in Scam Calls

Experts say sudden increases often point to data leaks or old information resurfacing.

If a phone number appears on a marketing list, in a data breach or on a public directory, it can circulate for years. Once scammers obtain a number, it rarely disappears from their systems.

Recent enforcement action highlights the scale of the problem. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) recently prosecuted ten people linked to a criminal network that stole data from more than 400 garages. Around a million records were accessed and sold on to fuel nuisance calls and bogus injury claim approaches.

How to Reduce Scam and Nuisance Calls

Here are the steps experts recommend:

  • Protect your personal data

Marketing tick boxes can allow companies to share your details widely.

  • Use your mobile network's scam blocking tools

EE and O2 offer Call Protect, Vodafone has Secure Net and Three provides Call Screening. These systems filter many suspicious calls, although scammers constantly adapt.

  • Report scam calls

Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). Report calls to Ofcom or Action Fraud to help identify patterns.

  • Avoid answering unknown numbers

If it is important, callers usually leave a voicemail.

  • Register with the TPS

It will not stop scammers, but it reduces legitimate nuisance calls.

  • Use phone level blocking

Smartphones can block hidden numbers, unknown callers or repeat offenders.

Phone Settings That Can Help

Android

  • Call screening

  • See caller ID and spam: ON

  • Filter spam calls: ON

  • Block unknown or private numbers: ON

  • Network scam blocking: ON

  • Manual blocking for repeat offenders

Google has also begun rolling out an in call scam protector in the UK, warning users if they open a banking app while screen sharing with an unknown caller.

iPhone

  • Silence Unknown Callers: ON

  • Call Screening: Ask Reason for Calling

  • Spam Filtering: ON

  • Network spam protection: ON

  • Manual blocking for repeat offenders

Experts warn that some settings, such as blocking unknown callers, may prevent legitimate calls from hospitals or delivery drivers, so users should choose carefully.

What About Landlines?

Landline providers offer varying levels of protection:

  • BT Call Protect sends nuisance calls to a junk voicemail and offers a Nuisance Calls Advice Line.

  • Sky Talk Shield screens every incoming call, filtering out automated and blocked numbers.

  • TalkTalk and Virgin Media offer optional privacy features, although some may incur charges.

If something feels wrong, consumer groups say trust your instincts. You are always within your rights to hang up.

Telephone Preference Service