updated 17/10 2020 by @Cleoriff
We are all irritated and annoyed by the constant bombardment of ppi, injury and other spam calls and text messages. Over the past year or so, they appear to be getting worse by the day. Calls about your broadband, electricity, Amazon Prime, new phone offers, etc etc etc.
Some of these spam calls can lead to you being scammed if you hand over personal details thinking they are genuine.
This guide shows various ways to report/stop them.
O2 have some general information here...
https://www.o2.co.uk/help/safety-and-security/unwanted-calls-and-messages
Spam Texts
If you receive a spam text message, forward it to O2 by texting 7726- it's a free text
Do NOT click on any links
Other ways to report here, including Action Fraud website
https://www.o2.co.uk/help/safety-and-security/phishing-and-smishing-advice
How to block a number:
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062352/
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201229
Also report them to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) using their online reporting form (survey) linked in this page https://ico.org.uk/concerns/marketing/spam-texts/
If you are receiving premium rate spam/scam texts from shortcodes, then head over to the regulators site and lodge a complaint there. Many people receive refunds. http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/for-consumers/unexpected-phone-charge
Another helpful site if you have been a victim of a scam is www.payforitsucks.co.uk
They offer great help and support regarding refunds
You can also call O2 and ask them to place a Premium rate bar on your account.
Spam calls
For calls, registering with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) should stop the legitimate cold callers http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html but will not stop all, particularly those from international numbers. Report them, including numbers (if available) to the ICO on the form linked on this page https://ico.org.uk/concerns/marketing/telesales-calls/
For business numbers, use the corporate TPS here http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/ctps/what/
The ICO has a lot of useful info here....
Texts https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/texts/
Calls https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/nuisance-calls/
Or via Fax https://ico.org.uk/concerns/marketing/faxes/
The ICO has already handed out big fines for this and reporting will help them prosecute more and deter this type of activity.
If you're receiving missed calls from unusual numbers (especially an 0845/0843/09 or international number), do not call them back.
These numbers will possibly charge you a premium rate and they rely on you calling them back to work. Instead block them using your handset.
Other information.
In My O2 http://www.o2.co.uk/myo2 you will find the option to set your contact/marketing preferences.
My O2 > More >Manage Your Contact Preferences.
Just untick the relevant boxes. It also helps if you check your preferences on a frequent basis!
This should help. It wont stop all spam calls and texts as spammers are frequently finding new ways to contact you. Constant reporting should assist regulatory bodies to deter them.
Stay Alert. If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam.
