O2 Scam Call running a 40% tariff discount?

[piccolo135]

Received a call this morning claiming to be from O2, and it was very difficult to determine whether it was a scam or not.

The number was 0161 394 0219, advising that O2 were giving me a 40% discount on my tariff due to COVID-19.

They just needed some security details....

Whilst on the call I googled the number which indicated it was a scam, however they sent a security code which did come up on my phone along with other O2 Priority messages received historically.

Surely you ask for tariff reductions due to COVID, rather than being giving them randomly??

Anyone else received these calls?

[kp101010]

Fortunately I didn't give them the code from the text message as I realised they were dirty scammers.

[MI5]

@kp101010 

The only way they could have instigated to code being sent to you was from within your account.

[kp101010]

My assumption (and let me know if you think i am incorrect) is that they use the Reset Password option on the O2 website that asks for the number to send a text message for security purposes.  Once you then give them that code they are able to reset the password and login to your account. 

They seem pretty desperate for you to give them that code so i think they need it to continue with the scam.

[madasaf1sh]

@kp101010 

I would still reset your own password on myo2 as its better to be safe then sorry

[kp101010]

I see your point... might be worth doing as a precaution as you say.

What concerns me is looking at these forums this seems to be happening quite frequently and that makes me wonder how the scammers are getting lists of O2 customer phone numbers? 

[madasaf1sh]

@kp101010 

Its actually quite easy to call people from a list of say a 1000, your hit rate might be 1% and from the time and effort its a good return. 

It is quite an easy scam to setup, i'm going to go into details here but a lot of the information required is in the public domain.. 

And people do post all sorts of PII data on these and other forums which make it 100% easier.

 And this affects EE, 3 and Voda 

[MI5]

@kp101010 

Reset password sends a link to the registered email address.

It doesn't involve a text.

[kp101010]

Whilst you are correct that you can reset your password using a link sent to your registered email address. It is also possible to do it using a text to your mobile number. I ran through the same steps myself as I was curious how they would be able to access my account. Try it yourself - you'll be surprised.

Perhaps this is a new form of password reset they've introduced lately? 

[MI5]

Must be new then and something that needs revoking immediately.

[GilltT]

I’ve had one of these calls every day for the last 2 weeks. Told them I was not  interested , Guy most insistent. Finished the call and blocked the number bit they’ll probably call from another one. These people ought to be prosecuted