Don’t know the caller? Don’t answer the phone! #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

Regular readers will know that our advice is, and always has been, if a caller withholds their number, or calls from an unknown number – let it go to voicemail/answerphone.  Ideally, you will already have call blocking software (activated via your mobile/landline provider) or a call blocking device such as TrueCall: https://www.truecall.co.uk/ (other brands are available).

Why do we advise against engaging with unknown callers? Trading Standards have shared detailed information explaining how your voice can be cloned and used to defraud you: https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/phone-scams-take-sinister-twist-as-victims-voices-cloned/

We appreciate it can be very challenging to ignore calls if you are waiting for an urgent medical appointment/children’s school etc – but if you do answer the phone and it’s not the call you are hoping for/someone you are sure you know – please hang up immediately. 

If this alert isn't relevant to you, please share it with someone who might be interested.

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726.

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

If a crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team