Guides › Broadband, Phone and Mobile Contracts › Nuisance Calls and Scam Texts: How to Stop and Report Them
Nuisance Calls and Scam Texts: How to Stop and Report Them
Register free with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce marketing calls (it can take up to 28 days). Block numbers on your phone. Report nuisance marketing calls to the ICO, silent calls to Ofcom, and forward unwanted texts free to 7726.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Stopping Them
Telephone Preference Service
Register for free online or call 0345 070 0707. It can take up to 28 days for calls to reduce. Most phones let you block specific numbers, and your provider may offer extra blocking, sometimes for a fee. source
Reporting Them
Where to Report
Report nuisance marketing calls to the ICO (online or 0303 123 1113). Report silent or abandoned calls to Ofcom (online or 0300 123 3333). Forward unwanted texts to 7726 at no cost. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 28 daysTPS registration takes effectCalls should reduce within this time
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Register your landline and mobile with the Telephone Preference Service.
Step 2 of 5
Block persistent numbers on your phone.
Step 3 of 5
Forward scam texts to 7726, then delete them. Do not click links.
Step 4 of 5
Report marketing calls to the ICO and silent calls to Ofcom.
Step 5 of 5
If you gave money or bank details to a scammer, call your bank straight away.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Telephone Preference Service
Free. Online or 0345 070 0707.
Information Commissioner's Office
Report nuisance marketing calls and texts.
Ofcom
Report silent or abandoned calls.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Real banks and HMRC will not ask you to move money or give a full PIN by phone or text.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/scam-calls-and-messages/unwanted-calls-texts-and-emails Checked 13 October 2026
- ico.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026
- ofcom.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026