Frequently Asked Questions
O2 & Vodafone - Nuisance Calls and SMS
Getting lots of unwanted calls and texts is annoying and can be worrying if you don't know where the calls are coming from.
Stopping calls and texts like these isn't easy but there are things you can do to reduce the number you may receive. When filling in forms, or buying products online or in person, be sure to opt out of receiving communications from the provider or any 3rd parties they may use. This usually means ticking a box somewhere on the form to opt out of these types of calls and messages.
You can also register your number on the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). This is a free service and should reduce calls from companies, unless you have requested them to call or text you. This is the only service of this type. [Please see our help guide on this]
If the calls are coming from a particular number, you can sometimes block further calls in your phone settings. We're unable to block calls for you.
However if we see lots of spam calls from certain number ranges, we can block them.
You can help us do this by reporting spam callers by texting CALL to 7726 and we'll respond by asking for the number calling you. If we've got enough information we'll report them to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
If you get a missed call from a number you don’t know (especially an 0845/0843/09 or international* number), you should think twice before calling them back. You’ll be charged for the call, and if they really need to contact you, they’ll leave a message or try again.
*Calls from unknown international numbers are often part of a scam, sometimes known as Wangiri (one ring) and is where the fraudster leaves a missed call on your phone, intentionally not giving you a chance to answer it. If you call it back, you could incur high costs. You should report Wangiri calls to helpdesk@strobe-it.co.uk including details of your mobile number, the number calling you, and the time and date of the call(s).
If you're receiving spam texts, you can forward these to our free spam reporting service (7726). If we've got enough information we'll report them to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) who will take action against those sending the texts.
If the calls and texts have resulted in any fraudulent activity it may be appropriate to report the experience to Action Fraud.
For further industry advice, you can visit these sites:
http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/complain/phone-and-broadband-complaints/privacy/
http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns/nuisance-calls-and-texts/
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
We and our backbone providers are working with Ofcom and other communications providers to tackle the issue of nuisance calls, and have signed Ofcom's memorandum of understanding.
Stopping calls and texts like these isn't easy but there are things you can do to reduce the number you may receive. When filling in forms, or buying products online or in person, be sure to opt out of receiving communications from the provider or any 3rd parties they may use. This usually means ticking a box somewhere on the form to opt out of these types of calls and messages.
You can also register your number on the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). This is a free service and should reduce calls from companies, unless you have requested them to call or text you. This is the only service of this type. [Please see our help guide on this]
If the calls are coming from a particular number, you can sometimes block further calls in your phone settings. We're unable to block calls for you.
However if we see lots of spam calls from certain number ranges, we can block them.
You can help us do this by reporting spam callers by texting CALL to 7726 and we'll respond by asking for the number calling you. If we've got enough information we'll report them to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
If you get a missed call from a number you don’t know (especially an 0845/0843/09 or international* number), you should think twice before calling them back. You’ll be charged for the call, and if they really need to contact you, they’ll leave a message or try again.
*Calls from unknown international numbers are often part of a scam, sometimes known as Wangiri (one ring) and is where the fraudster leaves a missed call on your phone, intentionally not giving you a chance to answer it. If you call it back, you could incur high costs. You should report Wangiri calls to helpdesk@strobe-it.co.uk including details of your mobile number, the number calling you, and the time and date of the call(s).
If you're receiving spam texts, you can forward these to our free spam reporting service (7726). If we've got enough information we'll report them to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) who will take action against those sending the texts.
If the calls and texts have resulted in any fraudulent activity it may be appropriate to report the experience to Action Fraud.
For further industry advice, you can visit these sites:
http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/complain/phone-and-broadband-complaints/privacy/
http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns/nuisance-calls-and-texts/
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
We and our backbone providers are working with Ofcom and other communications providers to tackle the issue of nuisance calls, and have signed Ofcom's memorandum of understanding.
Last updated 07-06-2021 8:14 am
Please Wait!
Please wait... it will take a second!