Text scam?

[RJ29]

Hi, I received a text from someone I thought was O2, I didn’t realise at the time that it was a potential scam, on my notifications it came through as O2:UK so thought it was real, looked at my messages and this was the body of the text:

This is O2. We've noticed you're late paying another monthly Device Plan instalment of £39.12 (account number 1039118208). Before we turn off your calls and data, and add the £3.50 fee (as previously mentioned), we're giving you the opportunity to pay and stop this from happening. Pay securely using the following link https://spp.o2.co.uk/p/ZD9OVMNV or call us free on 08001116121. If you are struggling to meet your ongoing monthly payment please talk to us on 202. If you have already paid this amount today please ignore this message.

Now I thought this text was legitimate for multiple reasons, the first being it knows about a conversation I’ve had with O2 recently and the second being it knows the exact unpaid balance, I didn’t think at the time I read it to check the account number or anything so I paid the sum through the link provided, it was only afterwards that I realised it was a potential scam, I realised that where it says the texters name it just said UK and when I went to look at the number it had come from, there was no number, I thought that was odd, I then went and checked the account number and found it wasn’t mine, I then did my checks on the number in the text and found it was a legit number but was being used by scammers, as a result I went to check my bank and noticed the transaction said O2UK Ltd when it normally just says O2 for a transaction, it was for the amount described, either way I reported my card lost and also put a lock on it to stop further transactions and hopefully the one that is still pending, I’m incredibly embarrassed by this situation and urge anyone who gets something like this to do their checks before making a payment like I foolishly did. This is either a legit paying method or it’s a scam, I honestly don’t know.

[Bambino]

@RJ29  Please see this link: https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Have-you-fallen-for-or-been-conned-into-a-premium-rate-s...

Edit: You should also speak to customer service in the morning. https://www.o2.co.uk/contactus Call. Don't use Live Chat.

[jonsie]

The fact that they knew of a previous conversation is worrying unless indeed it was legitimate.

Our advice as always is to call 202 (after all it's free) and never click on a link in a text message. you have a couple of days to then see if it is O2 but personally I would now call them to find out for sure. Between 8 and 8.30 is the best time to call.

[MI5]

To be fair, apart from an incorrect account number, I'd say that was legit.
I'll ask @EmilieT to check it out but from memory, the link is O2 payments.

[MI5]

Also, your device plan account number will be different to your O2 account number.

[EmilieT]

Thanks @Bambino, @jonsie and @MI5 for the advice!

@RJ29 I'll check what I can find around this on my end and will let you know as soon as I have more information Have you had a chance to talk to customer service after getting this text?

[Cleoriff]

@EmilieT  Certainly the number 0800 111 6121 is legitimate as shown here on this thread

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly/Phone-call-from-0800-111-6121-O2-or-a-phisher/td-p/708285.

However it has caused concern on numerous occasions. Check out this google search....

So you can understand why people are concerned when we are open to so many scams

[MI5]

I've inspected the link and it is valid.
It's a genuine O2 secure portal with a valid certificate.
This was genuine and not a scam text.

[Bambino]

@RJ29  If the text is legitimate, which it appears to be, I would suggest that you set up a Direct Debit to avoid further texts and threats of disconnection. If you're having trouble paying, you need to speak to customer service for payment management assistance.

[Bethany]

I have had this same text and obviously paid through the link but my services are still off. Anyone help please?