Scam callers in the UK and Canada: spot them and report the number
Quick answer
You can't tell a scam caller by the number: caller ID can be faked. If a call asks for personal or payment details, hang up and call the organisation back on a number you look up yourself. In the UK, report it to your mobile provider by texting 7726.
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How it works
Scam callers pretend to be a bank, a government agency, a delivery firm or tech support. Caller ID spoofing lets them show a local or familiar number, so the call looks real. Canadian guidance has noted impersonation of agencies such as Service Canada and the RCMP with their own numbers displayed.
The call usually creates urgency: a problem with your account, a debt, a warrant, a parcel. Then they ask for personal information, passwords or a payment.
A list of "scam numbers" won't protect you for long. Scammers change numbers constantly, and a genuine number can be spoofed. What helps is how you handle the call.
Red flags
- An unexpected call that asks for personal information, passwords or payment
- Urgency or threats: a frozen account, a warrant, a fine
- Caller ID that shows your bank or an agency (it can be faked)
- A request to pay by gift card, crypto or transfer
- A caller who won't let you hang up and call back
Example message
This is the fraud team at your bank. We've seen suspicious activity on your account. To secure your money, I need you to confirm your details and move your balance to a safe account. Stay on the line.
What to do
- 1
Hang up
Don't press buttons, and don't give personal details. A real bank or agency will let you end the call.
- 2
Call back on a number you look up
Use the number on your bank card or statement, or the organisation's official website, not one the caller gave you.
- 3
Report the number
In the UK, Ofcom says you can text 7726 with the word Call followed by the caller's number. Your mobile provider can investigate and may block it.
- 4
If you paid or shared details
Contact your bank straight away. In the UK, 159 connects you to your bank. Change passwords for any account you mentioned.
- 5
Report the fraud
In the UK, report to Action Fraud. In Canada, the CRTC advises hanging up and contacting local law enforcement or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scam callers often have your name and number before they dial, and some know your address or your bank, because those details are sold by data brokers and leaked in breaches. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list your name, phone number and email where you live and removes you from them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
Can I look up a scam caller's number?
A list can help a little, but scammers switch numbers often and can spoof real ones. Don't rely on the number: hang up and call back on a number you find yourself.
Does caller ID prove who's calling?
No. Caller ID spoofing lets scammers show local or familiar numbers.
How do I report a scam call in the UK?
Ofcom says you can text 7726 with the word Call followed by the number. Report fraud to Action Fraud.
What should I do in Canada?
The CRTC advises hanging up and contacting local law enforcement or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Sources
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