Silent calls: why you get them and what to do

You pick up the phone and no one speaks. Sometimes you hear a click or background noise. Most silent calls come from automated diallers used by call centres. The system rings several people at once and, if no agent is free when you answer, the call is dropped.

What the rules say

Companies must keep abandoned calls to a very small share of the calls they make, and they have to play a short recorded message identifying themselves. A regular silent call is a sign the company is breaking the rules.

What you can do

• Do not respond or press buttons. Hang up.
• Make a note of the date, time and number if shown.
• Use 1471 to find the last number, if it was not withheld.
• Complain to Ofcom on ofcom.org.uk.

If silent calls seem to target you and feel threatening, contact your phone provider and the police.