Frequently asked questions
Common questions about WhoCalledLookup, Ofcom range data, AI lookup accuracy, UK number validation and call safety.
Who called me - how do I find out from a UK number?
Paste the number into the form at the top of this site. We return the Ofcom Range Holder, the line type and a live AI internet check that summarises any public reports about the exact number. Free, no signup, in seconds.
Whose number is this - can I look it up in the UK for free?
Yes for the type of line, the originally allocated provider (Range Holder) and any public reports. UK GDPR + DPA 2018 prohibit publishing the holder's name and address - so no public site can legally give you that, and any 'background check' service that promises to is either fabricating or scraping illegal data.
Is there a free UK reverse phone lookup with no signup?
Yes - WhoCalledLookup is free, no account, no card, no premium tier. Several other UK sites charge per result for substantially the same data; you should not need to pay.
How does WhoCalledLookup know who called me?
Two sources combined on a single page. (1) The official Ofcom Numbering Data, which lists the Range Holder for every allocated UK number block - refreshed weekly. (2) A live AI internet check that searches forums, scam-reporting databases and business directories for public reports about the exact number.
How fresh is the Ofcom range data?
We re-ingest from Ofcom every Wednesday, the day after Ofcom publishes the weekly numbering-data feed. The current snapshot date appears on every result page.
Why does the Range Holder differ from the network on caller ID?
The Range Holder is the original Ofcom allocation. Once a number is in service, the customer can port it to a different network - Ofcom does not publish current carrier data, and caller ID may show the porting carrier or be spoofed entirely.
Is 0345 free to call?
Effectively yes - 0345 calls cost the same as a 01/02 landline call and are included in inclusive minute bundles on every major UK mobile network in 2026. See our dedicated 0345 explainer.
What does 0808 cost?
Nothing - 0808 numbers are free to call from every UK landline and mobile, since the 2015 'UK Calling' rules. The receiving organisation pays the wholesale routing fee.
Is 0333 a premium rate number?
No. 0333 is a UK-rate non-geographic prefix regulated by Ofcom as standard rate. Calls cost the same as a 01/02 landline call and are included in mobile inclusive minutes. Premium rate in the UK starts with 09.
Are 070 numbers safe?
Treat them with caution. 070 is personal-numbering, not mobile - calls can cost up to 50p per minute, and 070 is heavily abused for one-ring 'wangiri' callback scams. Always identify before dialling back.
How do I check if a UK phone number is valid?
Three checks: format (10-11 digits with a known UK prefix); type (the prefix tells you landline / mobile / freephone / etc.); currency (paste it into our checker to confirm it is in the latest Ofcom Numbering Data). For developers, libphonenumber-js handles all three.
What is the E.164 format for a UK phone number?
+44 followed by the national number with the leading 0 stripped. So 020 7946 0000 becomes +442079460000. UK E.164 is typically 13 characters. See our UK phone number format guide for the full spec.
Is there a free UK phone number checker app?
WhoCalledLookup is a Progressive Web App - install it from Chrome or Safari with Add to Home Screen for an app-like experience without going through an app store. Free, no signup, no permissions to your contacts.
Is this number a scam - how do I tell?
Look it up here. If the Ofcom status is anything other than Allocated (Recovered, Free, Reserved, Protected) the call should not be ringing. If the line type does not match the caller's claim (e.g. 'bank' from a 070), it is a scam by definition. Universal red flags: urgency, one-time codes, requests for remote access, requests to move money to a 'safe account'.
Where do I report a UK scam call?
Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040) for fraud reports. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (free). Complain to Ofcom (ofcom.org.uk/complaints) for silent calls or repeated cold calls. If you gave any account details, dial 159 to reach your bank's fraud team safely.
How do I block UK spam calls?
Three layers: register on the TPS, turn on your network's free anti-fraud filter (every major UK network has one), and enable Silence Unknown Callers on iOS / Call Screen on Android. See our dedicated guide for the network-by-network instructions.
Do you store my phone number or my IP address?
We log lookups for analytics and rate limiting, but we store only a salted SHA-256 hash of the IP - never the raw IP. We do not sell data.
Can the AI scam score be wrong?
Yes. AI summaries reflect what is publicly findable on the web at the time of the lookup. New scam campaigns may not yet have public reports; legitimate businesses may have a few outdated negative reports. Always verify before acting.
Why is the AI score 0/10 even though I am sure this is a scam?
The AI may not have found public reports yet. Use the Refresh button on the result page to re-run the check. If you have evidence of fraud, please report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).
Can I look up non-UK numbers?
WhoCalledLookup currently only covers UK numbers (+44). Multi-country support is on the roadmap.