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0800 033 8055: Is This Number a Scam or Legitimate?

If you’ve received a call from 0800 033 8055, you’re probably wondering who it is, why they’re calling, and whether it’s safe to pick up—or safer to hide your phone under the sofa. In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this number, including who owns it, what people are reporting, and how to stay safe if you do get a call.
Let’s take a look at the facts, sprinkle in some clarity, and hopefully help you avoid being tricked by anything shady.
Who Owns 0800 033 8055?
First, let’s start with the technical stuff. 0800 033 8055 is a freephone number in the United Kingdom. This means it is free to call from both landlines and mobile phones. That’s the good news.
The number is operated by Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, the company behind the popular mobile network Three UK. So, if you’re a Three customer or have dealt with them in the past, this might explain the call—or at least the connection.
However, there’s a twist. Despite the number being linked to a legitimate telecom company, many people have flagged it for suspicious behaviour, particularly billing-related scams.
Is it a Scam?
Now, here’s where things get interesting—and slightly annoying. Many people have reported that calls from 0800 033 8055 are linked to a billing scam. Several users across online forums and complaint sites say the caller:
- Claims to be from Three UK
- Says you owe money on your account or bill
- Requests personal or banking details
- May pressure you to act quickly
If you’re thinking “this sounds a bit off,” you’re not alone. These are classic tactics used in phone scams—using urgency, impersonating trusted companies, and trying to get sensitive information from you.
To be clear, the number itself may be used by scammers pretending to be Three UK, or it may be a spoofed or misused number. This means that even though the number is registered under Hutchison 3G, scammers could be using it to target people.
So is it a scam? Based on user reports and behaviour patterns—yes, it often is.
What Are People Saying?
Let’s look at what real people are saying about this number:
One user said, “They told me my phone bill had failed and asked for my card number. I don’t even have a Three account.”
Another wrote, “Polite but kept insisting I give them my full address. When I asked why, they hung up.”
Several people noted they received multiple calls in one day from this number, and when they tried to call back, they got vague or unhelpful responses.
These are big red flags. If a company truly needed something important from you, they wouldn’t be so pushy or unclear.
How to Tell if the Call is Real
Sometimes, real companies do call about billing issues or account updates. So how can you tell if a call from 0800 033 8055 is genuine?
Here are some helpful tips:
- Don’t share personal information
Never give your full name, date of birth, address, bank details, or passwords over the phone unless you’re absolutely sure who you’re speaking with. - Hang up and call back using official contact info
If someone claims to be from Three, don’t stay on the line. Politely hang up, go to the official Three UK website, and call their customer service number directly. - Check your account separately
Log in to your Three account to see if there are any actual billing issues. If everything looks fine, it’s probably a scam call. - Ask for verification
You can ask the caller for your account number or other details only you would know. If they get defensive or dodge the question, it’s a sign they’re not legit. - Report the call
You can report suspicious phone numbers to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) or use services like WhoCalledMe or Truecaller to help others stay safe.
What to Do if You Answered and Shared Info
First of all, don’t panic. Mistakes happen, and scammers are very good at what they do. Here’s what you should do if you answered the call and gave any personal details:
- Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and let them know what happened
- Monitor your accounts for unusual activity
- Change your account passwords or PINs, especially if they were shared
- Inform Three UK that someone may be impersonating them
- Report the scam to Action Fraud UK (the national fraud reporting centre)
Can You Block the Number?
Yes, you can block 0800 033 8055 from your mobile phone. Most smartphones have a simple “Block Number” option when you view recent calls.
You can also use a call-blocking app like:
- Hiya
- Truecaller
- Mr. Number
These apps help identify spam callers and can automatically block numbers reported by other users.
However, keep in mind that scammers often switch numbers or spoof different ones, so blocking one number doesn’t guarantee you won’t be called again from another.
Final Thoughts
So, is 0800 033 8055 a scam or legitimate?
Technically, it’s a number registered to a real UK mobile operator—Hutchison 3G (Three UK). But based on many reports and user experiences, this number is often used in billing-related scam calls. Whether it’s the original source of the scam or simply being spoofed by scammers, the end result is the same: be careful.
If you receive a call from this number, don’t rush to answer. And if you do pick up, don’t give away any personal details. When in doubt, hang up, call the company directly, and double-check everything.
Because, as much as we all enjoy surprise phone calls from strangers, we prefer not to share our credit card numbers with them.
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