Phonely

01/09/2026

A really important watch on BBC One today.

Louise Minchin, Julia Somerville and Gloria Hunniford highlighted the devastating case of a vulnerable woman who was groomed by scammers and lost more than £2 million.

For families supporting someone who may be particularly vulnerable to scams, including those living with dementia, having conversations and safeguards in place before a suspicious call happens can make a real difference.

If you support a loved one, it's worth taking a few minutes to talk about what they should do if a caller asks for money, bank details or pressures them to act quickly.

Rip Off Britain continues with a scam special. In HQ tomorrow the team are investigating the massive £2 million fraud that left a vulnerable woman and her children reeling. Can the team claw back any of the money the criminals stole?

Plus, the couple whose mobile phone company won't stop billing them for a fraudster's spending spree📱

And, consumer expert Harry Kind is back with one of his 'How to Guides' - this time with invaluable advice on what to do if you get scammed.

Watch tomorrow at 10:45am on BBC One or on BBC iPlayer 📺

28/08/2026

It’s bank holiday weekend ☀️

While many of us are switching off for a few days, scam callers certainly won’t be.

A quick conversation with someone you care about can make a real difference. Do they know what they’d do if they received a call that didn’t feel quite right?

It could be as simple as agreeing to:

📞 Hang up if something feels suspicious
💳 Never give bank or card details to an unexpected caller
⏰ Take your time - a genuine organisation won’t pressure you into acting immediately
👥 Check with someone you trust before making a payment or sharing personal information

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend, and stay safe 💙

27/08/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT: “We tried to deliver your parcel”

A caller says they’re from Royal Mail, DPD or Evri. There’s a parcel waiting, but you need to pay a small redelivery fee.

It sounds believable. That’s exactly why it can work.

Fraudsters may ask for card or bank details, and the number on your screen can even appear genuine.

A few warning signs to remember:
📦 You weren’t expecting a call about a delivery
💳 You’re asked for card details over the phone
⏰ You’re pressured to pay immediately
📱 The caller tells you to trust the number showing on your screen

If you receive a call like this, hang up and verify the delivery independently. Don’t give card or banking details to an unexpected caller.

Please share this with friends or family, knowing the warning signs could help someone avoid a scam. 💙

26/08/2026

☎️ “Can I keep my home phone number?”

It’s one of the most common questions we hear from people thinking about switching to Phonely, and in most cases, yes, you can.

Here’s how transferring your number works:

1️⃣ Sign up with Phonely and give us the home phone number you’d like to keep.

2️⃣ We arrange the transfer with your existing provider, so you don’t have to organise the port yourself.

3️⃣ We keep you updated while your number is being transferred. The time it takes can vary depending on your current provider.

4️⃣ Set up your Phonely service using the adapter we send you, which lets you continue using a compatible existing home phone.

5️⃣ Your familiar number comes with you, so there’s no need to give friends and family a new one.

We know changing something as familiar as your home phone can feel like a big step, which is why our UK-based team is here to help throughout the process.

25/08/2026

⭐️ Another lovely review from a happy Phonely customer!

“This company gets more impressive the more you discover just what it can do.”

They particularly liked the ability to record phone calls, having the Phonely app on their mobile when away from home, and, of course, our customer service:

“The customer service actually knows how to treat customers. All in all I am very happy.”

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. 💙

24/08/2026

⚠️ SCAM WARNING: Convincing DVLA email

We wanted to share a scam email received by a member of the Phonely team this morning because, at first glance, it looks remarkably convincing.

It claims a vehicle tax payment has failed and that the Direct Debit must be renewed the same day to avoid penalties.

The branding looks professional. The language sounds official. The sender even appeared as “GOV.UK Vehicle Tax - DVLA”.

But when the full sender details were checked, the email address used an unrelated Australian .com.au domain.

There was another important clue. Vehicle tax Direct Debits normally renew automatically, and if a payment fails because there isn't enough money in the account, DVLA says it will normally try to take the payment again within four working days.

Scam messages are becoming increasingly convincing, so don't rely on appearance alone.

🔎 Check the actual sender address
⏰ Be wary of pressure to act immediately
🔗 Don't click unexpected payment links
✅ Go directly to GOV.UK to check your vehicle tax

Please share this with friends and family, it might help someone recognise a similar email before clicking.

21/08/2026

⚠️ SCAM WARNING: Home repair scams are targeting UK households

Reports submitted to NuisanceCalls.org.uk this week show home repair and property-related scams are a prominent theme.

People have reported callers:

🏠 Claiming to be from or connected to a housing association
🔧 Saying repairs have previously been reported
📅 Referring to appointments that were never booked
🌡️ Offering insulation, thermal imaging or heat-loss surveys
📞 Calling unexpectedly about problems with the recipient’s property

If someone contacts you unexpectedly about repairs to your home, don’t feel pressured into agreeing to work, appointments or handing over personal information.

If the caller claims to represent your housing association, council or another organisation, hang up and contact that organisation independently using a number you trust.

20/08/2026

Sometimes you just don't want the phone ringing. ☎️🌙

With Phonely's Quiet Hours, you can choose times when you don't want to receive incoming calls, while still allowing selected friends and family to get through.

So whether it's after 8pm, during your favourite TV programme, or simply when you want some peace and quiet, your landline works around you.

Enjoy a little more peace and quiet, without missing the people who matter.

What time would your Quiet Hours start? 👇

19/08/2026

Do you remember your first home phone number? ☎️

There are some numbers you never forget… even decades later.

Can you still remember the phone number from the house you grew up in?

Or maybe you still have the same number today? 👀

Let us know below — how long have you had your home phone number? 👇

14/08/2026

If you’re helping an older parent or relative with their home phone, what matters most to you?

Is it knowing they can keep the number they’ve had for years?
📞 Reliable, clear calls
🛡️ Protection from nuisance and scam calls
💷 Keeping monthly costs down
☎️ Being able to continue using a familiar phone

Or is there something else entirely?

Let us know in the comments. We read every response, and it genuinely helps us understand what matters to families.