Scam calls are one of the most common concerns my customers raise. They arrive at all hours, they can sound genuinely convincing, and sometimes they’re hard to distinguish from a real call. If you’re getting them regularly—or if you’ve ever been unsure whether a call was legitimate—this guide should help.
How to recognise a scam call
Scammers use many different approaches, but there are warning signs that almost always appear:
They claim to be from a bank, HMRC, or a well-known company Fraudsters frequently impersonate BT, Amazon, HMRC, Microsoft, or your bank. Legitimate organisations—especially HMRC and your bank—will never cold-call you and ask for your PIN, full password, or to transfer money “for safekeeping”.
There’s urgency or a threat Phrases like “you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay immediately”, “your account will be closed today”, or “we’ve detected a virus on your computer” are designed to panic you into acting before you can think clearly. Real organisations do not work this way.
They ask you to confirm personal details A common tactic is asking you to confirm your name, address, date of birth, or bank account details “for security purposes”. This is them fishing for information they can use or sell.
They ask you to download software If someone on the phone asks you to download an app so they can “help” with your computer or phone remotely, hang up. This is almost always a remote access scam.
The number looks familiar but something feels wrong Scammers can fake (or “spoof”) phone numbers to make them look like they’re from a UK number, a local area code, or even a number you’ve called before. Don’t assume a call is legitimate just because the number looks right.
What to do when you get a scam call
Hang up. You don’t owe a scammer an explanation or a polite goodbye. Just hang up.
If you’re genuinely unsure whether a call is real—for example, someone claiming to be from your bank—hang up, wait a few minutes (or use a different phone entirely), and call the organisation back using a number you find yourself. Look it up on their official website or the back of your bank card. Never call back the number that phoned you.
How to reduce scam calls
You won’t be able to stop them entirely, but you can significantly reduce them:
Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) Go to tpsonline.org.uk and register your number for free. This is a legally binding opt-out list for UK companies making marketing calls. It won’t stop overseas fraudsters, but it cuts down unwanted legitimate marketing, which frees up your suspicion for calls that really matter.
Don’t engage with automated messages If you pick up and immediately hear a recorded message or a long pause before anyone speaks, hang up. Staying on the line—or pressing any buttons—can confirm to the scammer that your number is active and lead to more calls.
Use your phone’s call-blocking features iPhones have a setting to silence calls from unknown numbers: go to Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. On Android, look in the Phone app settings for “Block calls from unknown numbers”. The calls will still go to voicemail, but your phone won’t ring.
Several phone providers also offer free call-blocking services—BT has BT Call Protect, for example. It’s worth checking whether your provider offers something similar.
Be careful with your phone number online If your number is listed publicly on social media, a website, or an online directory, it’s more likely to be picked up by scammers. Check who can see your contact details on platforms like Facebook.
If you’ve already been caught out
It happens to people of all ages and backgrounds—these scams are deliberately sophisticated. If you’ve shared personal information, bank details, or allowed remote access to your device, take action as quickly as possible. Read the full guide on what to do if you’ve been scammed online for step-by-step advice.
If you’d like help securing your phone and accounts, or want to understand how to spot scams more confidently, online safety support is something I offer at home in plain English. I also help with phone setup and settings if you’d like to get call-blocking set up properly.
Falkirk Tech Help—friendly in-home tech support across Falkirk and Central Scotland.