topic Re: Is this a fraud? I'm not an O2 customer....; in Discussions & Feedback

Is this a fraud? I'm not an O2 customer....;

BikeSausage — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 14:30:57 GMT

Hi all,

I've just registered here as I wonder if anyone could help - I've not been an O2 customer for some years. However, I am with GiggGaff.

I just got a cold call from 0330 011 3025 from a someone in a very loud call centre with VERY heavily accented English - I only mention this as the person was very difficult to hear and understand.

The call was offering 40% discount on something - I don't know what. This was followed up with two texts - one warning that a security code was incoming and one with a code that could have been a link - I don't know, I'm not touching it. I tried reporting to 7726 as normal, but there was no underlying number behind the SMS - just O2-UK. The text also mentioned that I could call 202 - which I understand is a genuine O2 support number?

The person couldn't explain why they were calling me and I couldn't really make out what she was saying due to the contact centre racket. If it was a genuine sales call, it's a very poor way of going about things and felt very dodgy to me.

So - is this a fraudulent call or is it just a mistake by O2 with them playing fast and loose with my personal data?

Re: Is this a fraud? I'm not an O2 customer....;

gmarkj — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 15:07:30 GMT

Sounds very much like fraud @BikeSausage.

And the code might have been to access an account.

There is some advice about this in the links below.

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/safety-and-security/phishing-and-smishing-advice
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Re: Is this a fraud? I'm not an O2 customer....;

MI5 — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 15:31:51 GMT

Flagging this to @Martin-O2 as the usual method of getting the "fake" codes sent to a customer is by attempting to login to their O2 account and hitting the password reset option.

This sends the code to the registered phone number. However, assuming @BikeSausage has no O2 account (as they are a gg customer) it is worrying as to how they generated the code?

Re: Is this a fraud? I'm not an O2 customer....;

Martin-O2 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 09:03:26 GMT

Thanks for flagging this one @MI5! I'll pass it on to the fraud team.

Re: Is this a fraud? I'm not an O2 customer....;

madasaf1sh — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 10:31:09 GMT

@MI5

I know how they are doing this, but I'm not going to say on a public forum, but it is a very sophisticated fraud attempt, and not by playing the background noise they are trying to distract the person on the other end...

@BikeSausage Still report it to o2, as they maybe able to see the underlying number...

Re: Is this a fraud? I'm not an O2 customer....;

MI5 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 10:32:29 GMT

Thanks @Martin-O2 👍