A foreign number is calling me: what to do and how to block it

A foreign number is calling me: what to do and how to block it

Your phone shows a number starting with a dialling code you don't recognise: +225, +234, +216, +252 or any other. You don't have family abroad and you're not waiting for an international call. Sometimes it rings once and stops; sometimes someone speaks in English, sometimes there's a recorded message. Here's what's behind these calls, what you can safely do, and what you should never do.

Why am I getting calls from abroad if I don't know anyone there?

There are several reasons, and almost none are good:

• "One ring" calls (wangiri). The call rings once or twice and hangs up so that you'll call back out of curiosity. The number may be a costly international or premium destination, and the scammer earns a share of what you pay.
• Scam call centres abroad. Many scam operations work from other countries and call UK numbers in bulk: fake banks, fake investments, fake tech support.
• Spoofed numbers. The number displayed may not be the real one. Scammers can show any number, foreign or even a UK one.
• Data breaches. Your number may be on a list bought or leaked, which is why you get calls from several countries.
• Genuine calls. Occasionally it's a legitimate company with call centres abroad, or a call about an order or a trip. If so, they'll be happy to wait while you check.

You can look up what country a dialling code belongs to in NoCall's dialling codes guide.

Does it cost money to answer an international call?

On a UK mobile in the UK, receiving a call from abroad doesn't normally cost you anything. The risk lies in calling back: calling an international number can be expensive, especially for certain destinations or premium numbers. If you're roaming abroad yourself, receiving calls may be charged depending on your tariff. GOV.UK explains call charges and phone numbers; check your own tariff with your network.

What are the warning signs?

• A single ring and then they hang up.
• A dialling code from a country you have no connection with.
• Repeated calls from different foreign numbers in a short time.
• A recorded message asking you to press a key or call another number.
• Someone claiming to be your bank, Amazon, HMRC or the police from a foreign number. UK organisations don't usually call you from abroad.
• Talk of prizes, investments, parcels or an account problem.
• Pressure to act immediately.

What should I do right now?

1. Don't call back a foreign number you don't recognise. If it's genuine, they'll call again or leave a message.
2. If you answer, don't give any details: no name, address, bank details or codes. Don't press keys if a recording asks you to.
3. Hang up if anything seems off. You don't owe them an explanation.
4. Look up the number in NoCall's spam numbers directory to see if others have reported it.
5. Block the number and report it.

How do I block calls from abroad?

• Block individual numbers from your phone's call log: on Android, tap the number and choose "Block"; on iPhone, tap the "i" next to the number and choose "Block this caller".
• Silence unknown callers: both iPhone and Android have settings to send calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail. Be aware that you could miss genuine calls, such as a delivery driver or a hospital.
• Ask your network about call-blocking services. Many UK networks offer scam-call filtering or blocking options.
• Use a call identification app like NoCall, which warns you when a number has been reported by other users.

What if I already called back or gave my details?

• If you called back: check your next bill. If you see an unexpected charge, contact your network, explain what happened and ask about blocking international or premium-rate calls. If you're not happy with the answer, ask about its complaints process and the ombudsman scheme it belongs to.
• If you gave bank or card details: call your bank straight away on 159 or the number on the back of your card and ask them to block the card.
• If you gave other personal details: be wary of follow-up calls or messages that use them to appear more credible.
• If you lost money: report it to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland on 101.

Where do I report it?

• Your phone provider: the NCSC explains how to report scam calls. Scam texts can be forwarded free to 7726.
• The ICO, for unwanted marketing calls: report a nuisance call.
• Ofcom is the UK's telecoms regulator and works with networks to tackle scam calls, including those from abroad that spoof UK numbers; see Ofcom on GOV.UK.
• NoCall: report the number in the spam numbers directory.

Frequently asked questions

Can they steal money just because I answered? No. Answering a call doesn't let them take money from you. The risk comes if you call back, press keys on request or give details.

Why do they always call from the same country? Scam campaigns often use a batch of numbers from the same country for a while, then switch. That's why you may receive a wave of calls with the same code.

What if the number shown is a UK one but the caller talks about another country? The number may be spoofed, or it may be a virtual number. Treat it with the same caution: don't give details, hang up, and check any claim through official channels.

Is blocking a whole country code a good idea? It can help if you have no contact with that country, but your phone may not offer that option directly. Blocking individual numbers, silencing unknown callers and using a call filter are usually enough.

In short

If an unknown foreign number calls you, don't call back, don't give details, and block it. Answering isn't dangerous on its own; calling back and handing over data is. And if a foreign number has called you, report it in the NoCall spam numbers directory: your report helps others recognise it before answering.