Noticed an increase in these so far in 2025. Heating and insulation company from the north east being a regular offender this past fortnight, some woman who sounds like she still smokes 200 a day asking if I'm the homeowner and if I'd like to have a free no obligation house visit to determine suitability if I just give them my card details.
Wouldn't mind but with family members currently suffering dementia and other illnesses, not picking up the phone even to a withheld number is something we try not to do.
Best thing you can do, if they are UK based, is ask where they for your number from, say you haven't consented to being on any mailing list to your knowledge, ask for their company details and then request confirmation that your details have been deleted from their system, otherwise you suspect then of obtaining your details without consent. If they don't hang up before you finish them they'll be obliged to take action. Works on emails too, I've had apologetic emails from consumer relations managers at a few companies over the years by challenging them and they know they could face big fines if your data is in any way obtained questionably and, most companies with any credibility would recognise that, nowadays cold calling just inst worth it.
The other ones who a buggers for it are the NHS blood donation team. Emails, calls, asking the wife to go and get me out for my home office when I'm on a call, claiming it's urgent as they're desperate for blood and in my area. Wouldn't mind as I'm a regular donator and I know it's important, but if I haven't booked my next appointment already, can see the notes on my account that they buggered up the donation last time and caused me severe bruising, and they can see I've checked appointments on-line, then maybe just back off!