How to stop spam calls in the UK, and how they got your number
You can't make nuisance calls disappear overnight, but you can cut them sharply. Do it in three layers: block what reaches you, remove your number from the lists, and report the rest.
- Register free with the Telephone Preference Service (mobile and landline). It takes up to 28 days to take full effect.
- Turn on your network's and phone's spam-call filtering, and silence unknown callers if you can.
- Forward scam texts to 7726.
- Get your number off data broker and people-search lists.
How did they get my number?
| Source | How it happens | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Data brokers and list sellers | Companies you dealt with share or sell your details; brokers combine and resell them | Send erasure and objection requests (UK GDPR) |
| People-search sites | Your number is published next to your name and address | Ask them to remove it |
| Data breaches | Leaked customer databases are traded by criminals | Block, report, and be wary of any call that knows your details |
| Random dialling | Auto-diallers try every number; answering confirms it is live | Don't engage; let unknown numbers go to voicemail |
| Competitions and "free" offers | The small print allows sharing with "partners" | Withdraw consent and object to marketing |
Layer 1: block what reaches you
- On your phone: both iPhone and Android can silence unknown callers or flag likely spam. Turn it on.
- With your network: most UK networks offer free scam-call filtering; check your account settings or ask them.
- On a landline: ask your provider about its call-protection or caller-ID service, or use a call-blocking handset.
Layer 2: get your number off the lists
Blocking deals with symptoms. The lasting fix is to reduce how many companies hold your number. The TPS stops legitimate UK marketers. For everyone else, UK GDPR gives you the right to object to marketing (absolute, they must stop) and to have your data erased. That means writing to each data broker: our step-by-step guide shows how, or Ceaselist does it for you across 668 brokers.
Layer 3: report
- Scam texts: forward to 7726.
- Unwanted marketing calls despite TPS: report to the ICO, which fines companies that break the rules.
- Fraud attempts: report to Action Fraud (Police Scotland in Scotland), and to your bank straight away if you shared any details.
Questions people ask
Why am I suddenly getting so many spam calls?
Usually because your number has landed on a new list: from a data breach, a company that sold or shared it, a people-search site, or because it was dialled at random and you answered, which marks it as live. One answered call can lead to many more.
How did scammers get my number?
The common routes are data breaches, marketing lists bought from data brokers, scraping of websites and social media, and random dialling. Legitimate-looking companies you once gave your number to may also have shared it with partners.
Does the Telephone Preference Service work?
It makes it unlawful for UK companies to make unsolicited marketing calls to you, and it is free. It does not stop scammers or overseas callers, who ignore the law, so combine it with call blocking and reducing where your number is held.
What is the number to report spam texts in the UK?
Forward scam texts to 7726, free on all major UK networks. Report scam calls to Action Fraud, or Police Scotland in Scotland.
Do data removal services stop spam calls?
They reduce the number of companies holding and trading your number, which cuts marketing calls over time. They cannot recall your number from criminals who already have it.
Want this done for you? Ceaselist sends erasure requests to 668 data brokers as your authorised agent, chases the legal deadlines and prepares an ICO complaint when a broker ignores the law. £29 a year or £3.99 a month, full refund within 30 days.
Start with Ceaselist Free do-it-yourself packThis guide is general information, not legal advice. Prices and processes for other services were taken from their public websites and reviews in October 2026 and can change; check before you buy. Ceaselist is our own service, so we have an interest: we have tried to be fair, including about where we fall short.