What Is 08004970623?
08004970623 (or 0800 497 0623) is a UK toll-free number. Many people report receiving persistent calls from this number, which raises the question: is it a legitimate business outreach or a potentially scammy / harassing call?
Who Is Allegedly Behind These Calls?
Several sources and user reports suggest different possibilities for who is calling from this number:
-
The most common claim is that the caller is from Domestic & General, a UK-based provider of appliance warranties and insurance.
-
Some reports also link the number to Virgin Media, though this seems to be a secondary connection rather than the primary one.
-
There are significant concerns that at least some calls may involve third-party telemarketing firms or even spoofing, meaning fraudsters could be making calls while pretending to be from this number.
What Do People Say About Their Experiences?
Key Complaints and Red Flags
Relentless Calling
Many report getting repeated calls — sometimes several times a day — even after blocking the number.
Silent Calls
A common frustration: when the call is answered, there’s nothing on the other end. No conversation, no voicemail.
No Voicemails Left
Despite frequent calls, quite a few say that the callers never leave a message.
Aggressive Sales Tactics
When people do connect, the caller often tries hard to sell appliance insurance or warranties. They ask for details such as the make, model, and age of appliances, and try to cross-sell coverage for other devices (TVs, dishwashers, etc.).
Personal Details Known
Some users feel uneasy because the caller already knows names or appliance details, making the call feel more targeted and potentially invasive.
Persistent Even After Blocking
A number of people say that they have blocked the number, but calls keep coming — sometimes from number variants.
Trending: What is the phone number 03316303180? Scam alerts, meaning & what you should know
Mixed / More Positive Reports
-
A portion of people say they do have or had a policy with Domestic & General, and these calls were about legitimate renewals or cover upgrades.
-
In some cases, representatives seem informed, confirming details about previous appliance purchases or coverage.
-
Despite the frustration, some view the calls as genuine marketing rather than outright fraud — although they still find the volume and pressure off-putting.
Is It a Scam or Legitimate Outreach?
There’s no clear-cut answer — it appears to be a mix of both, depending on the case.
-
Legitimate Aspect:
-
The number may be used by or on behalf of Domestic & General for genuine customer outreach.
-
Some calls involve valid offers for appliance insurance or renewals.
-
-
Risky / Scam-Like Aspects:
-
Persistent, high-frequency calls feel more like harassment than standard marketing.
-
Silent calls and lack of voicemail are red flags.
-
There is a possibility of spoofing: scammers making their numbers look like this one to gain trust.
-
Some user reports suggest that unofficial agents or aggressive salespeople may be involved, or it could be fraudsters misusing the number.
-
-
Official Denial?
-
According to some users, Domestic & General has reportedly stated that not all calls from this number are genuinely from them, which complicates the picture.
-
Why You Might Be Getting These Calls
Here are a few likely reasons:
-
You Bought an Appliance: If you recently purchased a product (for example, from a retailer), Domestic & General may try to call you to offer a warranty or extended cover.
-
Sales / Renewals: The calls could be part of a standard marketing or renewal campaign.
-
Third-Party Call Centers: D&G may outsource its telemarketing, and not all agents are equally professional.
-
Scam Activity: If the number is being spoofed, fraudsters might be fishing for personal or financial data.
-
Auto-Dialers: Some calls may come from automated systems to test whether numbers are active, leading to “silent” responses.
Cost to You
-
Since this is an 0800 number, calls to you (the recipient) should be free from most UK landlines and mobiles.
-
If you choose to call the number back, make sure you use a number you trust (e.g., one from an official document or the company website), not the one from the incoming call.
How to Protect Yourself from These Calls
If you’re getting unwanted or suspicious calls from this number, consider these actions:
Do Not Share Sensitive Details
-
-
Avoid giving your bank information, passwords, or very personal data.
-
Be cautious even if the caller seems to “know” about your appliances.
-
Verify the Caller
-
-
If they claim to be from Domestic & General, hang up and call D&G through an official number (from their website or your paperwork).
-
Do not rely purely on the caller’s own “official” number.
-
Block the Number
-
-
Use your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature.
-
Consider installing a call-filtering app or spam-blocker.
-
Use the Do-Not-Call Service
-
-
Register with a phone preference service in the UK so that marketing calls are reduced.
-
Report Suspicious Calls
-
-
If you think it’s a scam or persistent harassment, report to the relevant regulatory bodies or fraud-reporting entities.
-
Keep a log of calls (time, frequency, what was said) — this helps when reporting.
-
Warn Others
-
-
Talk to elderly or less tech-savvy family members, as they may be more vulnerable to high-pressure calls.
-
Explain to them not to give out personal or financial information to cold callers.
-
Pros and Cons: Answering vs Blocking
| Option | Possible Benefit | Possible Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Answering | You might clarify whether it’s a genuine call about a policy or renewal. | Could lead to pressure or attempts to sell more coverage; risk of exposing personal info. |
| Blocking | Stops annoying or harassing calls. | If the call was genuine, you might miss a legitimate offer or renewal. |
Conclusion
The number 08004970623 (0800 497 0623) occupies a murky space. On the one hand, there is a plausible link to Domestic & General, a genuine UK appliance warranty provider. Some calls may simply be legitimate outreach about cover, renewals, or policy information. On the other hand, many users report unwanted, persistent calls, silent hang-ups, and pressure to share personal appliance details — features common to nuisance or scam calls.
Given the mixed nature of these reports, treating the calls with caution is wise. Avoid giving out sensitive info, verify suspicious calls through trusted channels, block if needed, and report if the behavior is harassing or looks fraudulent.
If you like, I can check the latest (2025) reports and user-trust score for this number — do you want me to do that?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is 08004970623 definitely a scam?
A: Not 100%. Some calls appear to be genuine marketing from Domestic & General, but many reports raise serious red flags about harassment or potentially fraudulent tactics.
Q: Why do they call me when I already have cover?
A: It could be a renewal offer, or they may be trying to cross-sell more coverage. Alternatively, it might be a third-party or spoofed call.
Q: How can I check if the caller is real?
A: Hang up, then contact Domestic & General using the phone number from their official website or your policy documents. Ask if they tried to reach you from that number.
Q: Will blocking the number help?
A: Yes, blocking can stop calls. But if it’s spoofed or uses multiple numbers, it may not completely stop them. Also, if some calls are legitimate, you might miss useful ones.
Q: Is reporting the number useful?
A: Yes — reporting can alert authorities or regulators to potentially abusive calling behavior. If many people report, it may trigger action.
Leave a comment