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)
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.)
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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 December 19, 2024, 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 December 19, 2024. 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: December 19, 2024. 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 December 19, 2024)
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/
