Cold-Call Checker
Just had a cold, nuisance or silent call? Answer a few quick questions and we’ll tell you whether it was legal under the UK rules that changed on 5 February 2026, exactly who to report it to, and give you a ready-to-send complaint plus a “stop calling me” letter. Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is uploaded.
Rules current as of: 14 July 2026 · ScamSupport research
Your rights changed on 5 February 2026
On 5 February 2026 the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 brought in the toughest nuisance-call rules the UK has ever had. Three things changed in your favour:
- Fines jumped 35×. The maximum penalty for breaking the marketing-call rules (PECR) rose from £500,000 to £17.5 million or 4% of a company’s global turnover — the same level as a serious data breach.
- An “attempt” now counts. A call is a breach even if it was silent or never actually connected to you. Companies can no longer hide behind “but you didn’t pick up”.
- It’s easier to act. You no longer have to prove the call caused you “substantial damage or distress” before the regulator can step in.
The catch: the rules are split across three different regulators, and almost nobody tells you which one to go to. That’s what the checker above does.
Which call is legal, and who regulates it?
| The call you got | Is it allowed? | Report to |
|---|---|---|
| Live sales call while your number is on the TPS | No — unlawful unless you specifically consented | ICO + TPS |
| Recorded / automated marketing message | No — needs your specific consent, always | ICO |
| Pension cold call | Banned since 2019 (unless FCA-authorised + a relationship) | ICO + FCA |
| Claims (PPI, “an accident”, rebates) | No — needs your consent | ICO |
| Silent / abandoned call | No — “persistent misuse” | Ofcom |
| Scam call (bank / HMRC / courier / asks for money) | Fraud — not a marketing matter | Action Fraud / 159 |
| Live sales call, number not on the TPS | Currently allowed — but you can opt out | Register TPS, then ICO if they persist |
What is the TPS, and does it actually work?
The Telephone Preference Service is the UK’s free official “do not call” register. Once your number has been on it for 28 days, it is against the law for a company to make live marketing calls to you unless you specifically agreed to its calls. Registering is free and takes a couple of minutes. Two honest limits: it does not stop recorded automated calls (those need consent anyway and are reported to the ICO), and it does not stop overseas scammers who ignore the law — for those, use your network’s free call-blocking and the checker’s scam route. If anyone asks you to pay to register with the TPS, that itself is a scam.
Frequently asked questions
A real person called selling me something and I’m not on the TPS — was that illegal?
Not automatically. If your number isn’t registered with the TPS and you haven’t told that company to stop before, a live marketing call is currently allowed under PECR. But you can shut it down: register with the TPS and tell them to put you on their “do not call” list. If they call again after that, it becomes unlawful and you can report them to the ICO.
The call was a recorded voice. Is that different?
Yes — and stricter. Automated/recorded marketing calls are only allowed if you specifically opted in to receive them from that company. Being off the TPS is irrelevant; general marketing consent isn’t enough either. If you didn’t specifically agree, the call was unlawful and the ICO wants to hear about it.
They wouldn’t tell me who they were. Are they allowed to hide?
No. On a live marketing call the company must identify itself, must not withhold its number, and must give you a contact address or freephone number if you ask. A caller that refuses all of this is breaking the rules — and is much more likely to be a scam.
Does reporting actually do anything if I only had one call?
Yes. The ICO and Ofcom don’t usually chase a single call, but they build cases from patterns across many reports — and they now fine the worst offenders millions. Every report with a number, a date and a company name makes the pattern clearer. Report each call you get from the same source.
It was clearly a scam, not real marketing. What do I do?
Don’t treat it as a marketing complaint. Hang up, never share codes or details, and report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040; Police Scotland 101). If you moved money or shared bank details, dial 159 to reach your bank safely. Then use our recover-your-money guides.
Related ScamSupport tools
- Who called me? UK number guide — what each type of number (0800, mobile, withheld, international, premium-rate) really means
- Investment Pitch Analyser — if the call was about an investment or crypto
- Where to report — the full reporting directory
- Recover your money — if you’ve already lost money
- Check a platform — is a company a known scam?
- Protect hub — the full prevention toolkit
Sources
- ICO — nuisance calls guidance
- ICO — rules on live marketing calls (PECR)
- Ofcom — silent and abandoned calls
- Telephone Preference Service
- FCA ScamSmart
This checker is provided for guidance only and is not legal advice. Verdicts are based on the published PECR and Ofcom rules current at the “rules current as of” date and describe the general position; they are not a regulatory ruling on any specific call or company.