TL;DR: 7726 (it spells SPAM on a keypad) is a free UK service for reporting scam texts and calls. Forward the text to 7726, or text the scam caller’s number to 7726, and your network can investigate and block it. On iPhone: press and hold the message, tap More, tap the forward arrow, send to 7726. On Android: press and hold, Forward, send to 7726. WhatsApp scams go through WhatsApp’s own report button; emails go to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Why bother?
Because it works. Networks use 7726 reports to find and block the numbers scammers use. O2 says it has blocked more than a billion scam messages, and its fraud director put it simply: “Every report to 7726 helps us act faster to shut down scams at source” (O2’s warning). Thirty seconds of your time can spare a neighbour.
Report a text
From Ofcom’s 7726 guide:
iPhone
- Press and hold the message.
- Tap More.
- Tap the forward arrow.
- Send it to 7726.
Android
- Press and hold the message.
- Choose Forward.
- Send it to 7726.
You may get a reply asking for the sender’s number; just send it.
Report a call
Open your recent calls, copy the number and text it to 7726. On iPhone you can text “call” followed by the number; on Android, text “call” and follow the prompts (Which?’s version of the steps).
It’s free
Ofcom says the service is free for both texts and calls.
Other message types
- iMessage and RCS chats: use your phone’s built-in “Report Junk” or report option; you can also forward to 7726 to cover both bases.
- WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal: use the app’s own block and report features. These usually can’t be forwarded to 7726.
- Emails: forward to report@phishing.gov.uk (the NCSC’s Suspicious Email Reporting Service).
- Scam websites: report to the NCSC.
And if you lost money
Reporting to 7726 helps others, but it doesn’t get your money back. Call your bank on the number on your card or dial 159, then report to Report Fraud. See how to report fraud in the UK.
Why you get so many
Scam texts go out to lists built from breached data. A free email exposure check shows if your details are already circulating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7726 free?
Yes. Ofcom says reporting texts and calls to 7726 is free.
How do I forward a text to 7726 on iPhone?
Press and hold the message, tap More, tap the forward arrow and send it to 7726.
Can I report WhatsApp messages to 7726?
Usually not. Use WhatsApp’s own report and block feature.
Where do I report scam emails in the UK?
Forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk.