Calls from Mali

[Anonymous]

Hi,

has anyone else started recieving calls from abroad? has o2 been hacked? I googled the calls and a lot of comments on a 'who called me' website dated today say they are o2 customers and also recieving numerous calls from Mali. Seems very dubious to me.

If o2 you have been hacked, or our data sold on I would request you contact all your customers who may be affected

[MI5]

There is no resolution yet Mike. We are awaiting comment from O2.

[Anonymous]

So many questions on twitter as well but response is the same “ we are looking into it”

For some it has been going on for days. Only feels maybe today it is now taken seriously.

Nothing in the news as yet, but it is just a matter of days now.

[jonsie]

This is so very odd and although it coincides with an apparent change in marketing preferences I wonder if this is just an O2 problem or if customers of other networks are experiencing this same issue.

[Glory1]

No @jonsie it's not just O2. There have been complaints from Voda and EE customers as well. However, the biggest number of complaints seem to come from O2 customers.

[Martin-O2]

I don't think that turning on the marketing preferences would lead to these types of calls but we now have an investigation going into what happened there along with this issue. I'll provide an update as soon as I hear back! 

[Cleoriff]

Thanks @Martin-O2 it's getting quite worrying...:smileysad:

[Lindsay-Rodgers]

I have had loads too, three today!

i keep blocking the numbers when they call but the last two numbers on the end change everytime.

Are we any further on working out why this is happening? 

[Cleoriff]

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@Lindsay-Rodgerswrote:

I have had loads too, three today!

i keep blocking the numbers when they call but the last two numbers on the end change everytime.

Are we any further on working out why this is happening? 

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Not till @Martin-O2 comes back with further info @Lindsay-Rodgers

[MI5]

It will just be auto dialers generating random numbers.
It's not going to be anything that's happened to O2.

[Martin-O2 · Accepted solution]

Hi guys I’ve had a response on this and I can confirm that these calls are part of a scam that relies on you calling the number back to make money. Provided that you don’t call the number back you won’t be charged. Unfortunately, O2 are unable to block these calls as a quick fix because the number changes regularly but they are looking at ways to address them.

The advice is as follows:

• It’s best not to answer these calls but if you do you won’t be charged
• Don’t call the numbers back or you will be charged!
• Block these nuisance numbers on your device to prevent repeat calls from the same number

You can also find some advice on dealing with these types of calls in this Community guide.