Who Called Me UK? How to Check Unknown Numbers & Stop Spam Calls (Complete Guide)
1 November 2025Unknown number ringing your phone? Wondering “who is calling me from this number?” You’re not alone. Millions of people in the UK search these exact questions every month — especially as scam calls and spam texts continue to rise within the AI era.
This guide explains how to find out who just called you, how to check a phone number for free, and how to protect yourself from scam calls. You’ll also find real examples, practical tips, and a set of tools you can rely on.
If you’ve ever searched “who called me UK mobile” or “whose telephone number is this?”, these methods will help you identify the caller quickly and safely.
These services allow you to enter a phone number and receive information about the caller. Websites like Who called me? offer this service specifically for UK phone numbers. This site was founded in 2014 by Marcin Stypulski, a software engineer and telecom specialist. Here’s an example of the information it provides about a phone number:
Free reverse-lookup websites let you enter a number and instantly see:
“Our vigilant and trustworthy community has reported that the telephone number 07946504735 is primarily associated with phone spam activity impersonating The Carphone Warehouse! It is possible that this number is not authentic and does not belong to The Carphone Warehouse, despite what the caller may suggest.”
Using a service like this is often the fastest way to answer “who is calling from this number?”
Apps like Truecaller or Hiya provide caller ID services and spam detection, helping you identify unknown numbers instantly.
Why these help:
Sometimes, a simple Google search of the number can reveal its source. Using quotation marks (“like this”) around the phone number will make sure Google only returns results about that exact number. Social media platforms also use phone numbers for user profiles, which can be a source of information.
This is one of the easiest ways to find out who has phoned you without downloading apps.
Scammers usually rely on tactics that appeal to you inner fears and emergency driven action. Be specially sharp to any of these call types:
Beyond these common patterns the scammer may also rely on a more elaborate story. The most common scam calls in the UK are
The HMRC tax scam call
This scam involves callers impersonating Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials, claiming the victim owes unpaid taxes and faces legal action. They often demand immediate payment or personal information under the threat of severe consequences. If you’re self-employed, you should watch out for HMRC scams during the approach to the self-assessment deadline on 31st January.
Amazon scam calls
Fraudsters pose as Amazon customer service, often claiming issues with the victim’s Prime subscription. They may say you have unauthorized sign-ups or overcharges, and request personal or payment information.
Tech support scams
Scammers claim to be from a well-known tech company, like Microsoft or Apple, informing the victim of a virus or security breach on their computer. They offer to fix the issue for a fee and may request remote access to the victim’s computer.
Lottery or prize draw scams
The caller congratulates the victim for winning a lottery or prize draw they never entered. To claim the prize, victims are asked to pay a fee or provide bank details.
Pension and investment scams
With the increasing focus on financial security, scammers lure victims with promises of high returns on investments or pension liberation schemes, often leading to significant financial losses.
Recharge scams
Some scammers have been fraudulently sending people to Recharge.com and asking them to send a prepaid card code to their email. These scammers operate on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, pretending to be interested in an item you’ve listed.
Some scammers pretend to be a friend or family member. They may claim they’ve changed their phone number, and then ask you to up an unfamiliar number through Recharge.com.
Recharge is not responsible for these calls and guarantees that all legitimate transactions are not visible to fraudsters. However, scammers can deceive you to get what they want. If there’s any doubt about the identity or trustworthiness of the person who’s contacted you, do not agree to their requests.
Reminder: Recharge never sees your prepaid codes and has no involvement in these scam attempts. Scammers rely on manipulation — not on system access.
Be sceptical of unsolicited calls. If you receive a call from an unknown number, especially one demanding personal information or payments, be wary.
Take your time to think and verify. Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly.
If someone claims to be from a company or government agency, hang up and call the official number found on their website or official correspondence.
Legitimate organisations will never ask for sensitive details like passwords or bank PINs over the phone.
Don't trust the caller ID blindly. Scammers can make it look like they are calling from a legitimate number.
Stay updated on the latest scam trends in the UK. Government and consumer protection websites often provide information on current scams.
If you suspect a scam call, report it to Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime. You should also report it to your phone service provider.
Block the number
Use your phone’s blocking feature to prevent further calls from the same number.
Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
The TPS allows UK consumers to opt out of receiving unsolicited marketing calls, reducing the likelihood of scam calls.
Keep your number private
Limit the sharing of your phone number online or in public spaces.
Update your phone’s security settings
Use features like spam filters and caller ID to screen calls effectively.
Identifying “who called me from this phone number” is an essential skill in the digital age, especially given the rise in scam calls, including the notorious Amazon scam calls. By using online tools, staying vigilant, and following best practices for phone security, you can protect yourself.
But hopefully most of the calls you receive will be from friends and family. And when you miss a call from someone you care about, they’ll be happy if you call them back! If you’re on a pay-as-you-go phone, you can top up your credit online at mobiletopup.co.uk.
This guide explains how to find out who just called you, how to check a phone number for free, and how to protect yourself from scam calls. You’ll also find real examples, practical tips, and a set of tools you can rely on.
How to find out who called you in the UK
If you’ve ever searched “who called me UK mobile” or “whose telephone number is this?”, these methods will help you identify the caller quickly and safely.
1. Use a Free Phone Number Checker (Reverse Lookup Tools)
These services allow you to enter a phone number and receive information about the caller. Websites like Who called me? offer this service specifically for UK phone numbers. This site was founded in 2014 by Marcin Stypulski, a software engineer and telecom specialist. Here’s an example of the information it provides about a phone number:
Free reverse-lookup websites let you enter a number and instantly see:
- Caller name or organisation (if available)
- Spam activity reports
- Whether other users have flagged the number
- Typical scam behaviour associated with it
“Our vigilant and trustworthy community has reported that the telephone number 07946504735 is primarily associated with phone spam activity impersonating The Carphone Warehouse! It is possible that this number is not authentic and does not belong to The Carphone Warehouse, despite what the caller may suggest.”
Using a service like this is often the fastest way to answer “who is calling from this number?”
Caller ID and spam detection apps
Apps like Truecaller or Hiya provide caller ID services and spam detection, helping you identify unknown numbers instantly.
Why these help:
- Identifies callers even if they’re not in your contacts
- Flags known scam numbers
- Blocks calls automatically if you choose
- Works for both mobile and VoIP callers
Search engines and social media
Sometimes, a simple Google search of the number can reveal its source. Using quotation marks (“like this”) around the phone number will make sure Google only returns results about that exact number. Social media platforms also use phone numbers for user profiles, which can be a source of information.
This is one of the easiest ways to find out who has phoned you without downloading apps.
How Scammers Trick You (Their Most Common Tactics)
Scammers usually rely on tactics that appeal to you inner fears and emergency driven action. Be specially sharp to any of these call types:
- Urgency & fear: “Act now or face consequences.” Classic example of this is a call or a message saying that you you have a package stuck at the border
- Authority impersonation: Pretending to be HMRC, banks, police, Amazon, or tech companies.
- Phishing questions: Slowly extracting personal details.
- Emotional manipulation: “A friend needs help,” “Your child is in trouble,” or “You’ve won a prize.” If this happen to you, remain calm and contact your family or the rewarding company proactively
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: Unrealistic investments or guaranteed payouts.
- Current-event exploitation: Tax deadlines, new government schemes, holiday sales, etc.
Beyond these common patterns the scammer may also rely on a more elaborate story. The most common scam calls in the UK are
The HMRC tax scam call
This scam involves callers impersonating Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials, claiming the victim owes unpaid taxes and faces legal action. They often demand immediate payment or personal information under the threat of severe consequences. If you’re self-employed, you should watch out for HMRC scams during the approach to the self-assessment deadline on 31st January.
Amazon scam calls
Fraudsters pose as Amazon customer service, often claiming issues with the victim’s Prime subscription. They may say you have unauthorized sign-ups or overcharges, and request personal or payment information.
Tech support scams
Scammers claim to be from a well-known tech company, like Microsoft or Apple, informing the victim of a virus or security breach on their computer. They offer to fix the issue for a fee and may request remote access to the victim’s computer.
Lottery or prize draw scams
The caller congratulates the victim for winning a lottery or prize draw they never entered. To claim the prize, victims are asked to pay a fee or provide bank details.
Pension and investment scams
With the increasing focus on financial security, scammers lure victims with promises of high returns on investments or pension liberation schemes, often leading to significant financial losses.
Recharge scams
Some scammers have been fraudulently sending people to Recharge.com and asking them to send a prepaid card code to their email. These scammers operate on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, pretending to be interested in an item you’ve listed.
Some scammers pretend to be a friend or family member. They may claim they’ve changed their phone number, and then ask you to up an unfamiliar number through Recharge.com.
Recharge is not responsible for these calls and guarantees that all legitimate transactions are not visible to fraudsters. However, scammers can deceive you to get what they want. If there’s any doubt about the identity or trustworthiness of the person who’s contacted you, do not agree to their requests.
Reminder: Recharge never sees your prepaid codes and has no involvement in these scam attempts. Scammers rely on manipulation — not on system access.
How to recognise and respond to scam calls
Be sceptical of unsolicited calls. If you receive a call from an unknown number, especially one demanding personal information or payments, be wary.
Take your time to think and verify. Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly.
If someone claims to be from a company or government agency, hang up and call the official number found on their website or official correspondence.
Legitimate organisations will never ask for sensitive details like passwords or bank PINs over the phone.
Don't trust the caller ID blindly. Scammers can make it look like they are calling from a legitimate number.
Stay updated on the latest scam trends in the UK. Government and consumer protection websites often provide information on current scams.
If you suspect a scam call, report it to Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime. You should also report it to your phone service provider.
Protecting yourself from scam calls
Block the number
Use your phone’s blocking feature to prevent further calls from the same number.
Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
The TPS allows UK consumers to opt out of receiving unsolicited marketing calls, reducing the likelihood of scam calls.
Keep your number private
Limit the sharing of your phone number online or in public spaces.
Update your phone’s security settings
Use features like spam filters and caller ID to screen calls effectively.
Return the calls that matter
Identifying “who called me from this phone number” is an essential skill in the digital age, especially given the rise in scam calls, including the notorious Amazon scam calls. By using online tools, staying vigilant, and following best practices for phone security, you can protect yourself.
But hopefully most of the calls you receive will be from friends and family. And when you miss a call from someone you care about, they’ll be happy if you call them back! If you’re on a pay-as-you-go phone, you can top up your credit online at mobiletopup.co.uk.