Who called me from 07818 827 767?

078 188 XXXXX is a UK mobile number block. UK mobiles use prefixes 071–075 and 077–079, with 076 reserved for radiopagers and 070 for personal-numbering services. A number such as 0781881234 could be active on any of the four UK mobile networks — EE, O2, Vodafone or Three — or any of the dozens of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that lease capacity from them, including Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, giffgaff, Smarty, Lebara and Voxi.

This block — 078 188 XXXXX — was allocated by Ofcom to Vodafone in 1999. Vodafone either operates the numbers directly or sub-allocates them to resellers and downstream carriers, which is why a single 078 188 XXXXX prefix can be used by many different organisations. You can verify any allocation against Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan, which is updated weekly.

Whatever the caller ID says, remember UK numbers can be spoofed: scammers can present any number, including real ones belonging to banks and government bodies. The reliable test is never the number itself — it's what the caller asks you to do. Pressure, urgency, requests for security details or unusual payment methods are the red flags that matter.

• Don't act on the call alone. If the caller claimed to be your bank, HMRC, a courier or a utility, hang up and contact the organisation on a number you find yourself — never one the caller gives you. For banks, dial 159.
• Never share security details. Full passwords, PINs and one-time passcodes are never requested by legitimate UK organisations on an outbound call.
• Don't return a missed call you don't recognise. One-ring 'wangiri' scams rely on call-backs, sometimes routed to premium-rate lines.
• Report what happened. Use the report form above to warn other UK users, and report fraud attempts to Action Fraud (or 101 in Scotland).
• If money or details were given, contact your bank immediately on 159 and report to Action Fraud.

Block 07818 827 767 on your phone

On iPhone: open Phone → Recents, tap the ⓘ next to 07818 827 767 and choose Block this Caller. On Android: open Phone → Recents, tap the number and choose Block/report spam. Landline customers of BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media can enable free network-level call screening in their provider's app, which stops the call before the phone ever rings.

Report 07818 827 767 to the authorities

Report scam calls to Action Fraud (England, Wales & NI) or call 101 in Scotland. Persistent nuisance or silent calls go to Ofcom, and unlawful marketing calls to the ICO. Scam texts can be forwarded free to 7726. Registering with the Telephone Preference Service (tpsonline.org.uk) cuts legitimate UK marketing calls.

A common UK scam pattern uses blocks like 078 188 XXXXX for 'tech support' calls: a caller claims to be from Microsoft, BT, or your antivirus provider, and tries to get you to install remote-access software. No legitimate UK tech-support team will phone you out of the blue and ask to take control of your computer.

See the full picture for this range on the 078 188 XXXXX block page or the 078 (UK Mobile) area code page.