Blog: security, scams, and phone spam
Content from the NoCall team to understand real threats, spot patterns, and make informed decisions.
Anonymous harassment calls: how to deal with them and report them
You keep getting hidden-number calls meant to disturb or frighten you. Here's how to document them, what your carrier can do, and when and how to go to the police.
How to hide your number when calling from a mobile or landline
You want to withhold your number for one call or for all of them. Here's how to do it — *67, 141, the #31# code and the caller ID setting on iPhone and Android — plus the real limits of calling anonymously.
Secret phone codes that actually work (and what they really do)
Lists of "spy codes" for your phone are full of myths. These are the GSM codes that genuinely work, what each one does, and how to use them to catch call diversions you never set up.
Fake job offers on WhatsApp: the task scam explained
A stranger messages you on WhatsApp offering an easy, well-paid job you never applied for. Here's how the task scam works and how to shut it down in time.
Fake traffic fine and toll texts: how to spot the scam
You get a text about an "unpaid fine" or "outstanding toll" with a link to pay before a surcharge kicks in. It's a recurring smishing campaign. Here's how to recognise it and how to check whether you really owe anything.
Silent calls: why someone calls and says nothing
You answer and there's only silence on the other end, or they hang up the moment you speak. Here are the three real causes of silent calls and how to respond.
"Hi Mum, I lost my phone": the WhatsApp child-in-trouble scam
A WhatsApp from an unknown number claiming to be your son or daughter with a "new number" and an urgent need for money. Here's how the scam works and the one check that never fails.
Calls from a hidden number: who's calling me and what can I do?
You keep getting calls from a "private", "blocked" or "no caller ID" number and want to know who it is. Here's what can genuinely be found out, which apps are lying to you, and how to block these calls.
The "can you hear me?" scam: what's true and what to do
You pick up and the first thing they ask is "can you hear me?" or "is this John Smith?". Here's what the call is really after, what part of the "say yes" scam is myth, and how to answer without risk.
Payment app scams: how they work and how to protect yourself
A stranger sends you a payment request on PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Revolut and you're not sure whether to accept. Here are the most common payment app scams, the money-request trap, and what to do if you've fallen for one.
How to get your money back after a phone scam, step by step
You've been scammed over the phone and want your money back. An honest, practical guide: what to ask your bank depending on how you paid, how to report it, and what to realistically expect.
Is 67676767 a real phone number? The "6-7" meme explained
The number 67676767 is everywhere because of the viral "6-7" (six-seven) meme — but is it a real phone number? Here's where it came from and how to check numbers that actually call you.