O2 Scam Alert - April 2022

[TJHubbard]

I wanted to make people aware of a very convincing scam...

I have received a call from someone claiming to be an o2 employee, saying I have been selected to receive a 50% discount from my monthly tariff. (I had recently upgraded my contract so naively thought for a second this could be genuine!) They then proceed to tell me I will receive two text messages, and the second message will have a 6-digit code that they ask for in order to set up the discount. This is one of the more convincing scams out there, firstly because they are managing to call from o2's actual number listed on their website - 0344 809 0202 - even o2 were surprised when I called to report this. Secondly, the messages received are identical to those I have received in the past from genuine o2 communications.....the ones that start with *SECURITY WARNING* - so please, make sure you read this text carefully and understand that no one from o2 will ever ask you for this code over the phone. As far as I know, if you give this code, they will then be able to access your o2 account, change your password, and have access to a lot of your personal details, so just hang up the call.

[Bambino]

@TJHubbard 

It's a well known scam. Been doing the rounds for some time. It's very easy to spoof a number.
Don’t give out any information to a cold caller or read back codes they may give you.
O2 advice here:

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/

How to block a number:

https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062352/
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201