on 04-11-2024 18:56
Hi there,
First time customer here.
I have taken an E-Sim plan only today but it turns out that the results I was getting when googling if my device supports e-sims were wrong and it doesn't support it.
Now I was faced with the challenge of not knowing what to do, should I cancel and make a new plan again for a physical sim or should I just contact support and try to see if they can change the e-sim to a physical. I opted to go with the second one.
As I was walking back from the nursery after picking up my son, I briefly googled "o2 get in touch", because of the outdoors distractions etc, I pressed on the phone number displayed as the top result. ( did not call yet)
Later on, when I got home , while doing some work around the house, I remembered that I needed to call them about the sim swap. I then unlocked my phone to the call screen where said number was ready to dial.
Without even realising, I just called and I was greeted by an Indian accent lady.
I explained what I wanted to do with the sim swap and she agreed to help ( of course she would).After sharing my name, email, she then sent me an email to login which I had, then asked me to provide her with the one time pass and at this time I was trying to figure out -HOW the hell I ended up calling this number? And I was googling the phone number but nothing came up and being pressured by this lady, I ended up giving her the passcode. She then proceeded into double checking the account data with me (name address etc) and said that a physical sim will be sent to my address for free but I will have to incur a 1£ delivery charge. It was at this time that I have gone back to my sane mind and realised what I've done and immediately hung up on her and changed my o2 account password instantly.
Now because it was an e-Sim , and I had no means to install it, the o2 app was requiring the codes sent to that number and the number was off.
Luckily the quick account password change did not allow the scammers to install the e-sim to a different device as I believe they could've done it from the o2 account which they had access to during my phone call.
After spending hours on live chat (as I couldn't ring 202 from a different network) I managed to tell the guy what happened and asked him to disconnect my number and terminate the contract that I have taken out few hours before. He confirmed nothing unusual happened on the account and proceeded to resolve my query for which I thank him.
Even though there were several red flags during the call , somehow I was blinded by all of them and I hate myself for doing so.
I feel like in Final Destination now, I've escaped instant scam but will probably be hit with all sorts of hacking attempts and other scam calls because they have my Name, DoB , Address, Email ,Phone number. I have not disclosed any financial info though.
Can anyone tell me what's the worst they could do with the information they already have? Also what enhanced security measures am I expected to perform next in order to protect myself ?
Much appreciated
on 05-11-2024 20:23
on 05-11-2024 20:23
A warm welcome to this O2 customer to customer community @snap6. You will appreciate that the make-up of the community means that we cannot access customer accounts or provide other direct help.
A regular on this community, @Bambino, recently posted this guidance to another community member in circumstances that were similar to yours :-
Block the numbers and report them free to 7726.
Don’t open any links or enter any information.
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: