A January 2024 survey of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) found that 54 percent ignored suspicious calls via their instant messaging services or deleted them. Furthermore, approximately 60 percent said they blocked the account or the number, and only 20 percent stated having reported such calls on instant messengers.
Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after receiving suspicious calls on instant messengers as of January 2024
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Blocked the number/account
57%
Ignored/deleted it
54%
Reported it
20%
Told friends/family about it
17%
Checked to see if the number/account is real (e.g. Google search/elsewhere)
17%
Can't remeber
6%
Engaged with the scammer (e.g. talked over a call/sent them a message)
5%
Don't know
3%
Sent money/gifts
1%
Arranged to meet the scammer
1%
Invested money as recommended by the scammer
1%
Other
1%
Prefer not to say
1%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%
Add this content to your personal favorites. These can be accessed from the favorites menu in the main navigation.
You have no right to use this feature.
Make sure to contact us if you are interested in scientific citation.
You can upgrade your account to enable this functionality for all statistics.
This feature is not available with your current account.Request access
Original question: "Thinking about when you've received suspicious [type of suspicious content/contact]...Which, if any, of the following actions have you taken as a result? (Please select all that apply) Suspicious calls on your instant messenger (e.g. Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype etc.)
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ofcom, & YouGov. (January 31, 2024). Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after receiving suspicious calls on instant messengers as of January 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 05, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546870/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-calls-on-instant-messengers/
Ofcom, und YouGov. "Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after receiving suspicious calls on instant messengers as of January 2024." Chart. January 31, 2024. Statista. Accessed May 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546870/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-calls-on-instant-messengers/
Ofcom, YouGov. (2024). Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after receiving suspicious calls on instant messengers as of January 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546870/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-calls-on-instant-messengers/
Ofcom, and YouGov. "Actions Taken by Adults in The United Kingdom (Uk) after Receiving Suspicious Calls on Instant Messengers as of January 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546870/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-calls-on-instant-messengers/
Ofcom & YouGov, Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after receiving suspicious calls on instant messengers as of January 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546870/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-calls-on-instant-messengers/ (last visited May 05, 2025)
Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after receiving suspicious calls on instant messengers as of January 2024 [Graph], Ofcom, & YouGov, January 31, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546870/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-calls-on-instant-messengers/
Profit from additional features with an Employee Account
Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites.
Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
