Is this a scam

[Loosecanons]

Hi,

I've not long migrated from Virgin mobile to O2.

Yesterday I had three calls from a number in Leeds saying they were from O2 offering me 50% discount on my bills for a year if I responded to some texts that I received.  

I can share the number.

I have no idea if this is genuine but my phone said suspected spam. 

It's no coincidence to me that as soon as I've migrated I receive these calls plus phone calls from Manchester numbers flagged as spam every morning. 

Any thoughts from O2?

Thanks 

[Enlli]

Yes, it is a well known scam.

[MI5]

@Loosecanons 

Block the number and do not follow any links.
Forward the scam text or number to 7726 - It's free.
Other ways to report here including Action Fraud website
https://www.o2.co.uk/help/safety-and-security/phishing-and-smishing-advice
How to block a number:
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062352/
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201229

[Loosecanons]

I'll do that 

Thank you

[Paul_N]

Same happened to me. I wonder if there is a security breach at Virgin or O2. The number they used was 0333 0116648

[Enlli]

Easily done to get a list of all the numbers issued to Virgin and O2 and use software to dia each one using a spoofed number.

They try to log into your account using the customers phone number and O2 security send a warning followd by an OTP text

They keep doing it as the lure of a big discount causes people to miss the warning text, so it's rich pickings

Once they have the OTP they are in and can do what they like 

 

[Loosecanons]

Thanks. 

That is what happened to me

Very much appreciated 

[Loosecanons]

Mine came from Leeds supposedly. 

They want you to tell them the code in the confusion so they can buy expensive equipment.  

Perhaps there needs to be a second level of security before making expensive purchases and also rethink the method for resetting passwords. Doesn't appear to be 2 factor authentication. 

Websites are being held to account after recent legislation.  Mobile companies need to sort this out. I get calls EVERY DAY  marked as spam from Manchester yet mobile companies do nothing about it.

[Deerbolt]

This happened to my brother today and unfortunately he gave them the OTC they sent him and now he has got a confirmation email stating that he placed an order for the Apple 15 Pro and delivery is on its way, is there anything he can do to remedy this.

[Bambino]

@Deerbolt If you’ve been the victim of fraud – whether it’s because you’ve given details to someone over the phone, or clicked on a link in a suspicious text or email there are things you can do:
Contact your bank if you think you may have given out financial information. They can help protect your account and stop transactions.
Change your account and online account passwords. Not just your O2 account. All of them.
Forward fraudulent texts to O2 for free on 7726.
Contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Call your Virgin Media or O2 customer services number if you think somebody’s taken out a contract using your details.
Virgin Media customers can phone 150 from their landline or 0345 454 1111 from any other phone.
O2 customers can call 202 from their O2 phone or 0344 809 0202 from any other phone.

There are also these links to look at:

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

You can also reach O2 via social media:
Facebook (https://o2uk.co/O2CFB), Twitter (https://o2uk.co/O2CTW), or Instagram (https://o2uk.co/O2CIG)