O2 is advising customers to be extra vigilant (Image: Samsung/Apple/Getty)
It’s the season for exciting new smartphone launches with the , and all vying for a place in our pockets. If you’re looking to upgrade, there’s never been a better time. But unfortunately, criminals are aware of this and are out to make a quick buck out of you if they can.
That’s why UK mobile network provider has issued a major warning to new and existing customers detailing the lengths fraudsters will go to in order to scam you out of your hard-earned cash.
O2 said it has rolled out “advanced online behaviour monitoring” and is “introducing additional ID checks” but still urges caution if you are contacted about an offer for a new phone or other pricey gadget.
“Whether it’s a tempting 30 percent or 40 percent discount on your bill or a free new phone or tablet, scammers will promise anything and everything to try and trick customers into handing over sensitive information,” O2 said.
“Once they have this, fraudsters use it to clear security and take out a device in the victim’s name, leaving them responsible for the bill.”
O2 and other mobile providers won’t ask you on a phone call for information such as one-time passcodes, passwords or bank details.
“Any call requesting this information is guaranteed to be fraudulent—hang up immediately and block the number,” O2 added.
The network is also warning existing customers to be vigilant if you receive a notification from O2’s official mobile number of a password change, billing address update or a PAC code when you didn’t request it. A PAC code is what you ask your mobile provider for if you want to take your number to another network.
“If your email address has been compromised or hacked, it often serves as a gateway for scammers to try and access other accounts, such as MyO2. This becomes even riskier if the same password is used across multiple platforms,” O2 warned.
You should contact O2 immediately if you get a message notifying you of a change you didn’t make, as scammers could have accessed your account and might be trying to lock you out of it.
Another scam involves criminals placing a fraudulent order for a new device on your account. This is usually sent straight to your address, but they will then call you saying it has been sent in error and try to trick you in handing it over to a fake courier driver, which means you’ve handed over the phone that’s been bought on your O2 account without you realising.
“Scammers typically try to reach you first, so it’s important to contact O2 immediately if you receive any package unexpectedly,” O2 explained.
“O2 can check for any suspicious activity on your account, help protect it from further misuse, and provide a pre-paid label to ensure the device is safely returned to the official O2 Returns Centre at Communication House, Vulcan Road North, Norwich, NR6 6AQ.”
Similar scams are happening across the UK, not just for O2 customers, so this seems sound advice no matter which companies you happen to purchase tech items from.