Your account is changing. You’ll need to set up a new, additional Direct Debit/s

[SpeedyPete]

Hi all,

On the 17th of January I received an email with the same heading as above and today I received a letter through the post with the same subject.

It says I can set this up by calling 202 or 0344 809 0202. No one I speak to knows anything about this, and they, 3 different support staff, have said my current DD is active and there is no need to add a new one. 

I have to assume this is not legit, but where’s the scam angle. All numbers to do this are actual o2 numbers.  The email has come from news@02-email.co.uk. I have received previous commas from this email about the usual annual RPI increases. 

However I’ve noticed that this latest email has a different, though correct address for me, both Apple email addresses, just one ends in .me and other in .mac. 

Looks legit, but something odd about the whole thing..

Anyone cast some light on this?

cheers

I

[MI5]

@SpeedyPete 

If you're being transferred to the new billing system, O2 will set up new DD's for you.

I've not known anyone be asked to set up one themselves though.

[SpeedyPete]

Thanks for getting back to me. It’s a really odd request as they already have my details but despite what the letter says there is no way for me to do this myself, either in myo2 or via phone 🤷‍♂️

[Oxonian]

@SpeedyPete 

You can check that the proposed DD is heading for O2's bank account. That is referenced in here :-

Guide: How to Pay Your Bill (Airtime & Device Plans) 

If the money is heading for O2, it is difficult to see what the scam is. 

EDIT : Just seen the letter that you have posted @SpeedyPete. If you set up the DD in MyO2 as requested, it isn't immediately obvious how the scam would work ! Hence, I am tentatively veering towards the view that it is legitimate.   

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@SpeedyPete 

DD details in this guide Guide: How to Pay Your Bill (Airtime & Device Plans) 

but I'd wait before doing anything or check with your bank if O2 have recently changed anything.