The number of complaints rose from 1,374 in July to 2,178 in August before increasing by another 69 per cent in September. However, these figures represent complaints submitted to the regulator, rather than the total number of automated calls made or the number of individuals affected.
Understanding the Rise in Complaints
The latest statistics highlight a substantial increase in reports over three consecutive months. Nevertheless, complaint figures provide only a partial view of the situation. Not everyone who receives an unwanted call will report it, and the available data does not establish whether each complaint relates to a separate caller or a confirmed breach of the law.
The figures also offer no definitive explanation of where the calls originated, who was responsible for making them or whether they were connected to fraudulent activity.
The regulator has acknowledged the growing number of reports and confirmed that it is examining the trend. Members of the public are being encouraged to report suspicious automated calls to help investigators identify recurring patterns and gather further evidence. At this stage, however, no particular organisation has been publicly identified as responsible for the increase, and no final conclusions have been announced.
Automated marketing calls generally deliver pre-recorded messages when someone answers the phone. They differ from live marketing calls, in which a person speaks directly to the recipient, although either type can be unwanted.
The regulator’s concerns also extend to automated calls that use artificial intelligence. Such calls may be used to encourage recipients to join messaging groups, disclose personal details or become involved in fraudulent activities. These are potential risks associated with the technology, rather than evidence that every complaint involves a scam.
How Consumers Can Report Unwanted Calls
The UK’s data protection regulator oversees rules relating to direct marketing calls and can investigate organisations suspected of breaking those rules. Information submitted by the public can help it identify emerging problems, assess potential breaches and determine whether enforcement action is necessary.
Submitting a complaint does not automatically mean that an organisation has committed an offence. Equally, the recent rise in reports should not be interpreted as a verified count of scam calls across the country.
Anyone who receives a suspicious automated call can report it through the regulator’s online reporting service. People are also advised that they are not obliged to answer calls from unfamiliar or withheld numbers.
Consumers can additionally register their landline or mobile number with the Telephone Preference Service at no cost. This service records their preference not to receive unsolicited marketing calls. However, registration does not remove the need to report unwanted calls that continue.
Responsibility for handling different complaints is shared across several organisations. The data protection regulator deals with nuisance marketing calls, while the communications regulator handles issues such as silent and abandoned calls. Suspected fraud must be reported through the appropriate fraud-reporting channels, while concerns about unfair business practices can be raised with trading standards through consumer advice services.
Understanding these distinctions is important because an unwanted marketing call, a possible breach of data protection or marketing rules, and a confirmed criminal scam are different matters that require different forms of investigation.
The Cause of the Increase Remains Unclear
September’s total represents a significant rise in complaints, but several questions remain unanswered. The regulator has not yet established whether the increase reflects a greater volume of automated calling, a higher willingness among consumers to report unwanted calls, or a combination of both.
There is also no confirmed evidence in the announcement identifying a particular business or individual behind the trend. Further investigation will be needed before the regulator can determine the scale and nature of the problem.
The regulator says reports from the public play an important role in identifying suspicious activity and supporting enforcement decisions. Since April 2025, it has issued 15 monetary penalty notices relating to nuisance calls and spam text messages, with penalties totalling £2.37 million.
These penalties concern previous enforcement cases and should not be confused with any action arising from the current increase in complaints.
For the time being, the regulator is urging consumers to report suspicious automated calls. The information gathered from these reports may help investigators establish clearer patterns, identify those responsible where evidence allows, and determine whether further enforcement measures are warranted.
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