Fraudulent porting of pac code now recovered by O2 - should I keep my mobile number ?

[MEP]

I was subject to a fraudulent porting of my pac code from O2 to Vodaphone which subsequently led to a very significant sum of money being taken from my bank account ( reimbursed by the bank as they had negligently not removed my mobile number from my banking account details - despite being warned of the fraudulent porting)

 O2 have now got the pac code and number back. My existing mobile number is important to me as I have had it for many years and it is  held by many businesses, past customers, friends, and also is used on marketing material.

Should I keep it - or am I at greater risk of fraudulent activity in the future  ?

[Bambino]

@MEP If the number has been recovered you're probably safe, but you need to determine how someone was able to port your number without your knowledge.

Have you reported this incident to the police? If not, you should: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

[MEP]

Thank you - I returned what turned out to be a dodgy call - I got an answerphone - left message and within 2 hours my phone had gone dead. Reported to O2 who said someone had ported my PAC code to Vodaphone - obviously not me ! - within a day my bank accounts had been hacked and a substantial amount of money taken (now reimbursed by bank).

It took 2 months for O2 to recover my number !

Reported to both the Police and Action Fraud

To this day I have no idea how the the fraudsters were able to action the porting and I have had no explanation from O2

[Bambino]

@MEP That's one I've never heard of before, but at least you were able to recover your number and had your money reimbursed. Many aren't that lucky.

A general rule of thumb, which we always advise, is to never respond to a cold call, or leave information on an answerphone number if you don't know who you're really calling, no matter who they say they are. The links below are also helpful regarding problems like this:

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

[MEP]

Thanks for your help