Brand ID and Call Defence

[Dave-O2]

Good morning ☕

As we’ve seen for a while, scammers are constantly using new tech and tactics which is making it harder and harder to spot nuisance and fraudulent calls. So, we’re introducing some services to help protect your time, money and peace of mind – at no extra cost 💰

Brand ID

This service will alert you via the ‘incoming call’ screen when a genuine business is ringing by showing its brand name and the logo, too*. This will give you the confidence to pick up calls from the businesses you use and allow you to ignore calls from the ones you don’t want to speak to. 

If you’re on a Pay Monthly custom plan, SIM Only plan or with O2 Business, you’ll automatically start seeing Brand ID labelling from June 2024 if you’re using an Android smartphone or September 2024 if you’re using an Apple smartphone.

Call Defence

This service will check phone numbers to let you know if a call might be a scam or spam, and it’ll once again alert you via the ‘incoming call’ screen if we think it is. 

If you’re on a Pay Monthly custom plan or SIM Only plan, you’ll automatically start seeing Call Defence labelling later in the year. 

Here’s how Brand ID and Call Defence will look 👇 

Check HERE for more info.

*Hiya app must be downloaded for logo to appear.

We’ve also composed some handy FAQs about the service rollout below:

Q: Do I need to do anything to activate Brand ID and Call Defence?

Spoiler

A: No – they’ll be switched on automatically.

Q: Will I get Brand ID and Call Defence when roaming abroad?

Spoiler

A: These services run on the O2 network, so you’ll need to be in the UK for them to work.

Q: Will all calls from legitimate businesses be labelled?

Spoiler

A: No – Brand ID is powered by Hiya, and only companies that have an agreement with them will be labelled. So, you might get calls from genuine businesses that aren’t labelled. Please remember, you should always be wary when giving any personal info over the phone, and if you’re ever worried, just hang up.

Q: Will all scam and spam calls be labelled?

Spoiler

A: No – our services are constantly improving, but we can’t guarantee that all scam and spam calls will be labelled. You should always be wary when giving any personal info over the phone, and if you’re ever worried, please hang up.

Q: What should I do if I’ve received a call from a business that’s been incorrectly labelled?

Spoiler

A: Please get in touch with the incorrectly labelled business directly. Then, they can sort things out with Hiya.*

Q: How do I report a scam or spam call that hasn’t been labelled?

Spoiler

A: To report a scam call, simply text 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the scam caller’s number. You can also download the Hiya app from the Google Play or App Store and report it on there too.* 

Legal Stuff:

Consumer

Brand ID and Call Defence: Pay monthly customers only. Brand ID available on Android devices from June 2024 and iOS devices from September 2024. Call Defence available later in 2024. Call labelling services for incoming calls on O2’s UK network only. Brand ID labels companies registered with our service provider Hiya. Call Defence helps detect potential suspicious calls, but we can’t guarantee that all spam or scam calls will be labelled. O2 accepts no liability for third party fraud.  

O2 Business

Brand ID and Call Defence: Pay monthly customers only. iOS devices require iOS 18. Call labelling services for incoming calls on O2’s UK network only. Brand ID labels companies registered with our service provider Hiya. Call Defence helps detect potential suspicious calls, but we can’t guarantee that all spam or scam calls will be labelled. O2 accepts no liability for third party fraud.

You can also find more help and advice on protecting yourself against Fraud in our Vishing, Smishing & Phishing Megaguide

Stay safe 🔐

[Oxygen87]

I think this is a great move from O2 and will be really handy for my Grandad who is always wondering who is calling him and whether or not to answer when a number comes up that’s not in his contacts. It’ll also be handy for myself as well. Big thumbs up from me! 

[Cleoriff]

I've always had Samsung phones and hiya tells me if any call is 'suspected Spam'. I think this has helped me over past 18 monhs @Dave-O2. Even so, a good idea from O2

[Enlli]

I guess my question is will this work across all networks? The Samsung version does quite happily.

At the moment I'm at a campsite outside Marlborough and O2 is none existent so I'm on EE

[Oxonian]

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@Enlli wrote:

I guess my question is will this work across all networks? The Samsung version does quite happily.

At the moment I'm at a campsite outside Marlborough and O2 is none existent so I'm on EE

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I would have thought not @Enlli. Whereas the Samsung version is cross-platform, I would have thought that the O2 version will only protect you if the scammer dials a number attached to an O2 SIM ? ❓  

[Oxonian]

Just warn your Grandad @Oxygen87 not to be too reliant on it. O2 do not guarantee that it will eradicate every spam call and as we've already alluded to in this thread, the scammers will be trying to circumvent it.

Hence, whilst it will filter your Grandad's calls, please make sure that he knows that calls not flagged as spam might still be unwanted. He needs to remain vigilant ! 👍    

[Bambino]

@Oxygen87 This service may be a slight help to some, but the scammers have undoubtedly already cloned the brand names and logos of the companies they want to use to fool you. Use it by all means, but don't rely entirely on it. Best that you and your grandad look at these guides as well:

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/

[Pipstop78]

Yes it will 

[Pipstop78]

Just got a text from 02 about this today let's see if it makes a difference 

[Cleoriff]

Yes I got my text this afternoon as well.

[Oxygen87]

@Cleoriff I feel left out, O2 haven’t text me about it lol