O2 or Aerial - who am I with? and why has my phone stopped working when I tried to ask O2 online?

[Anonymous]

My 02 contract was up for renewal and someone claiming to be from 02 phoned and offered me a new deal for 24 months. My contract now seems to be with Aerial but my bank Direct Debit is still with 02. Are they a bonafide company? Today they (Aerial) sent me a letter saying I'm due a monthly refund for not getting a new phone, and want my bank details including account no and sort code. Is this all OK? I tried getting help with an O2 online advisor but they couldn't help me and now my mobile phone has stopped working. Screen looks fine but I cannot send or receive calls or texts since asking for help!!!

[MI5]

No o2 store will sell you an aerial contract, but it could be a business one.
Are you saying aerial called and it was upgraded on the phone call after the contract was taken out?

[jonsie]

A business contract taken out in store is definitely with O2 as the parent company. Aerial are specifically an outbound calling company who mislead you into thinking you are dealing directly with O2. Many have found to their cost later that they are not.

[adamtemp64]

As a matter of fact O2 did pass business customers small sized businesses on mass to some of the trusted partners (Inc aerial/ azzuri) We were one of those businesses that practice may have stopped now . (will see if I can find the post at the time) http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Other-Products-Services/Azzurri-Communications-Breach-of-Privacy/m-p/19...

It took us until the end or the contract to get back with o2 direct.