Receiving spoof calls

[KatieBo_1727469]

I've recently been getting many calls from landline numbers across the UK that I have no association with. When googling, these are legitimate small businesses like butchers, bakeries, and restaurants, and their number is the same online as the one that has called me. I believe this is spoofing, with scammers appearing as regular businesses in order to try and gain personal information over the phone. Is there any way I can stop this? It's been a different company each time, and it's happening almost daily. Should I report the numbers as spam?

[Strandloper]

@KatieBo_1727469,

Personally I would report the calls as spam.  In my experience legitimate businesses don't call one (or more) numbers repeatedly, they only contact genuine customers who have asked for the calls.

[MSF]

@KatieBo_1727469  This is something that seems to be going on all the time unfortunately.

Although you can block a number, I think that they change the apparent number that the call comes from regularly. We managed to stop that on our landline by having a "call minder" service, but I am not aware of similar from mobile companies.

One alternative is to let such calls go to voicemail. If it is important, you can return the call. I do agree that it is very annoying and seems to affect some people more than others. As an example, my wife has had numerous calls apparently from O2 with great offers - she is with Smarty and does not engage with them. On the other hand, I have rarely had such calls - am I tempting fate???