Call Screening: Phonely’s New Way to Stop Scam Calls

Call screening is becoming essential as scam calls continue to rise across the UK. Whether it’s a suspicious “bank” call, a fake energy provider call, or an unknown number that keeps ringing, many people now hesitate before answering their phone.

And for good reason.

Fraud is now one of the most widespread crimes in the country, with 4.15 million incidents reported against individuals in the year ending September 2025, accounting for 45% of all crime in England and Wales, according to the UK Government’s Fraud Strategy.

The phone remains one of the most common ways scammers reach people. In fact, Phonely’s research found that 39.4% of scam victims were targeted via phone.

As fraud tactics evolve, so must the technology designed to stop them. That’s why Phonely’s new call screening feature marks a major step forward, adding another intelligent layer to its already comprehensive anti-scam package.

What is Call Screening?

At its core, call screening is about deciding whether to answer a call before you pick up.

Traditional screening relied on basic caller ID, just a number or name. But today, that’s no longer enough. Fraudsters can easily spoof numbers to appear local or trustworthy.

Modern landline call screening goes much further. It can:

• Automatically answer unknown calls
• Ask callers to identify themselves
• Analyse responses in real time
• Flag or block suspicious activity
• Give you control over whether to answer

It acts as a digital gatekeeper, filtering out potential threats before they ever reach you.

Why Call Screening Matters More Than Ever

The scale of fraud today means ignoring the problem simply isn’t an option.

• 3.6 million UK adults (around 1 in 14) were victims of fraud in 2025
• 74% of fraud incidents involved financial loss
• Reported losses reached £3.5 billion in the year ending October 2025

But the impact goes far beyond money.

Among victims:

• 92% reported emotional or mental health impacts
• 57% experienced physical health symptoms
• 63% reported behavioural changes

It’s no surprise that confidence in answering calls has dropped. Our recent survey found that, 94.6% of people rarely or never answer unknown numbers.

That leaves people stuck between:

• Risking a scam by answering
• Missing important calls by ignoring

Call screening removes that uncertainty.

Introducing Phonely’s New Call Screening Feature

Phonely has built its platform around protecting people from scam calls, and its new feature takes that protection even further.

Rather than simply blocking calls, Phonely helps you screen and manage unknown calls before you answer, giving you more control over who gets through.

How Phonely’s Call Screening Works

Phonely’s call screening is designed to give you control over who gets through, before you ever have to pick up.

1. Unknown Calls Are Screened Automatically

When an unknown number calls, Phonely answers it for you.

Instead of your phone ringing immediately, the system steps in first, creating a buffer between you and the caller.

2. Callers Are Asked to Identify Themselves

The caller is prompted to say who they are and why they’re calling.

This simple step does two things:

• It gives you useful context before answering
• It filters out low-effort or suspicious callers

3. You Decide Whether to Answer

Once the caller has identified themselves, you can:

• See or hear who’s calling
• Choose to accept the call
• Or just ignore it

This puts you fully in control of every incoming call.

4. Known Contacts Come Straight Through

Calls from saved or recognised contacts aren’t interrupted.

Phonely ensures that:

• Friends and family can reach you as normal
• Important calls aren’t delayed

5. A Seamless Experience for Everyday Use

Phonely’s call screening runs quietly in the background.

There’s no complicated setup or constant interaction, it simply ensures that:

• You only deal with calls that matter
• You’re not interrupted unnecessarily
• You stay in control at all times

More Than Just Call Screening: A Complete Layer of Protection

While landline call screening gives you control over unknown callers, it’s just one part of how Phonely protects your home.

Phonely’s CallGuard is built around a broader system designed to reduce scam calls at every stage, not just when your phone rings.

Automatic Call Blocking

Phonely automatically blocks known scam and nuisance numbers before they ever reach you.

Its database is continuously updated using customer reports and shared data, helping stop new scam numbers quickly and reduce unwanted calls at the source.

Trusted Person Support

Phonely allows you to add trusted contacts who can help support or monitor calls if needed.

This is especially valuable for:

• Older or vulnerable users
• Families supporting loved ones

It adds reassurance without removing independence.

Real-Time Alerts & Call Monitoring

Phonely can flag unusual or suspicious call activity and provide alerts when something doesn’t seem right.

Combined with features like call recording and notifications, this helps you stay informed and in control.

A System Designed for Modern Landlines

Unlike traditional providers that focus purely on connectivity, Phonely’s digital landline is built with protection at its core.

By combining smart call handling with real-time updates, it creates a more modern, secure way to manage landline calls.

Landline Call Screening vs Traditional Call Blocking

Call blocking alone isn’t enough in today’s landscape.

Who Benefits Most from Call Screening?

Call screening is valuable for everyone, but especially for:

Older Adults

More likely to use landlines and more frequently targeted by scams.

Families

Peace of mind knowing loved ones are protected.

Busy Households

Fewer interruptions and more control over incoming calls.

How to Get Call Screening with Phonely

Getting started with Phonely’s landline call screening is quick and straightforward.

It’s available to customers on CallGuard and CallGuard+ plans, as part of Phonely’s wider protection features.

Turning on Call Screening

Once you’re set up, you can enable call screening in just a few steps:

1. Log into your Phonely account
2. Go to Settings > Feature Settings
3. Click on the “Call Screening” tab
4. Turn the feature on