Mobile Phone Scams

How mobile phone scams work

Mobile phones are part of daily life for most people. We carry them everywhere and trust them almost as much as a landline at home. Scammers know this, and they have found ways to exploit that trust through texts, missed calls and other methods.

These scams typically aim to get you to call or text a premium rate number, sign you up to paid services you never agreed to, or trick you into handing over personal details. The tactics have evolved over the years, but the basic approach remains the same: catch you off guard and get you to act quickly.

Scam Detector

Got a text, call, email or offer that feels off? Paste it in below and we will tell you how scammy it looks, the warning signs to spot, and exactly what to do next.

Try our Scam Detector free, here on this site →

Common types of mobile scam

Text message scams remain widespread. You might receive a message claiming you have won a prize, that a parcel delivery has failed, or that there is a problem with your bank account. The message will usually include a link to click or a number to call. These numbers are often premium rate lines, meaning you could be charged several pounds per minute without realising.

Missed call scams work slightly differently. Your phone rings once or twice and then stops, leaving a missed call from an unfamiliar number. If you call back out of curiosity, you may be connected to a premium rate service. Some of these calls can cost £10 or more, and the promised prize or reason for calling never exists.

Subscription scams are another risk. You might unknowingly sign up to a paid text service by replying to a message or entering your number on a website. Charges then appear on your phone bill for texts or content you did not want.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How to protect yourself

Be cautious with any unexpected text or missed call from a number you do not recognise. If a message claims you have won something, ask yourself whether you entered a competition in the first place.

• Do not call back numbers you do not recognise, especially if they begin with 09 or 070.
• Avoid clicking links in texts from unknown senders.
• Never reply to a text asking you to confirm personal or banking details.
• Contact your network provider if you notice unexpected charges on your bill.
• You can report scam texts by forwarding them to 7726, a free service run by UK mobile networks.

Most networks also let you bar premium rate calls and texts through your account settings or by calling customer services.

What to do if you have been scammed

If you think you have been charged unfairly, contact your mobile provider straight away. They may be able to refund the charges or block further payments. You can also report the scam to Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.

The Phone-paid Services Authority regulates premium rate services in the UK. If a company has charged you for a service you did not agree to, you can make a complaint through their website. For current information on known scams and how to stay safe, check the advice pages on GOV.UK.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Scam Detector lets you got a text, call, email or offer that feels off? Paste it in below and we will tell you how scammy it looks, the warning signs to spot, and exactly what to do next. Try it now →