Phone harassment: repeated calls or messages and what to do

Phone harassment: repeated calls or messages and what to do

The phone rings again. It's the tenth time today. Sometimes it's a known number, sometimes a withheld one; sometimes nobody speaks, sometimes there are insults, threats or messages that won't stop even after you've asked them to. Repeated, unwanted calls and messages that cause you distress can be harassment, and harassment is a crime in the UK. You don't have to put up with it, and there are concrete steps to protect yourself.

When is it harassment and not just a nuisance?

Not every unwanted call is harassment. A sales call or a one-off wrong number is a nuisance; a sales company that keeps ringing is a matter for the ICO. It's likely to be harassment when:

• It's repeated: the same person contacts you again and again. Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, harassment involves a "course of conduct", which means on at least two occasions.
• It's unwanted: you've asked them to stop, or it's obvious you don't want contact.
• It causes you alarm or distress: fear, anxiety, changes to your routine.
• It comes with threats, insults or sexual content, or from different numbers to get round your blocks.
• It's from an ex-partner, a former friend or someone who seems to be watching you. Repeated, fixated contact can be part of stalking or domestic abuse, which are treated even more seriously.

Sending messages that are threatening, grossly offensive or intended to cause distress can also be an offence on its own, even if it happens only once. The Crown Prosecution Service explains how these offences are prosecuted.

What do I do right now?

1. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999. If you can't speak, the police may still be able to help: listen to the operator's instructions.
2. Don't respond or engage. Every reply can encourage the person. If you've told them clearly once to stop, you don't need to repeat it.
3. Keep a record of everything. Screenshot messages, keep voicemails, note the date, time and number of each call, and write down how it made you feel or what it stopped you doing. A simple diary is very useful evidence.
4. Back up the evidence somewhere safe: email it to yourself, store it in the cloud, or give a copy to someone you trust.
5. Block the numbers, but keep the evidence first. On most phones, blocked calls and messages aren't deleted, and your network may still be able to provide records.
6. Tell someone you trust: a friend, family member, colleague or your employer if the calls reach you at work.
7. Check your privacy: social media settings, location sharing, and whether the person might have access to your accounts or devices.

How do I report it?

• The police: call 101 (non-emergency) or 999 in an emergency. Bring your log and evidence. The police can give warnings, investigate and, where appropriate, charge the person or seek protective orders.
• Your phone provider: most UK networks have a team that deals with nuisance and malicious calls. They can advise on blocking, change your number free in some cases, and work with the police to trace calls, including from withheld numbers.
• Support services: the National Stalking Helpline, run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, on 0808 802 0300; the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, free and open 24 hours, if the person is a current or former partner or family member.
• Unwanted sales or marketing calls can be reported to the ICO.
• NoCall: if the calls come from a number that also targets other people, report it in the spam numbers directory.

What if I already answered or played along?

It doesn't matter. Having answered, argued, or even replied angrily doesn't take away your right to report it or make you responsible for the harassment. From now on:

• Stop responding and keep collecting evidence.
• Don't delete earlier conversations, even if they include your replies: the full context helps.
• If you agreed to meet or shared personal details, tell the police when you report it and think about your safety: who knows where you live or work.

Frequently asked questions

I don't know who's calling: it's always a withheld number. Can I still report it? Yes. The police and your network can work together to trace calls from withheld numbers. Keep the exact dates and times of each call: that's what makes tracing possible.

Should I change my number? It can help, but it's not the first step. Report it first, so the evidence is linked to your current number. If you do change, share the new number only with people you trust, and consider making it ex-directory.

Can I record the calls? Recording calls you're part of for your own records is generally allowed in the UK. Recordings can support your report, but take advice from the police before sharing them publicly.

What about silent calls, with nobody on the other end? Many silent calls come from automated dialling systems used by call centres, which is a matter for Ofcom and the ICO. But if they're frequent, at odd hours, or happen alongside other unwanted contact, keep a log and report them to the police and your network.

In short

Repeated, unwanted contact that causes you distress can be harassment, and it's a crime. Don't engage, keep a detailed record, block after saving the evidence, and report it to the police on 101 (999 in an emergency) and to your network. You don't have to deal with it alone: the National Stalking Helpline and other support services can help. And if a number is harassing several people, report it in the NoCall spam numbers directory.