0333 321 6022 O2 or not O2 ? That is the question

[RDF]

Morning,

I had a call yesterday from Craig on 0333 321 6022 - the phone showed the CLI as both "scam" and "O2".

Based on regional accent, he was in (or at least from) the UK.

Whilst he did his introduction I had time to quickly search the number and found both references to scam and to being a legitimate confirmed O2 marketing number.

I made sure to not give up any information unless he gave it to me first.

He knew my ...

Surname

SIM only contract

Data allowance

Volt additional data allowance

Contract end date (last VMO2 one, not newer current one)

When he mentioned the Volt allowance I said as far as I'm aware my existing O2 SIM contract is needed to maintain the VMO2 bundle I have, so would not want to change it.

He said there are better options available to me as it shows I'm out of contract, but he then advised before I consider any changes, I contact VM to confirm the bundle requirement then call O2 back.

We then wished each other a good day and ended the call.

So, based on the information he knew about my contract, it seemed legit.

Until ... last night I received a text from the "O2UK" (no space) number, text as below.

Does anyone know if the text is a generic one I would receive after a marketing call? 

I've checked my account on the app and nothing appears different.

Thanks,

Roy

Text ...

We really hope you want to stay with us, but if you choose to switch today, your Early Termination Charge will be £0.00. If you're on a standard contract, this will include your remaining balance. Your final bill will still include any airtime you've used and any out-of-bundle charges like Charge To Mobile services.

After you leave, you'll lose services on your account including any free-of-charge ones. If you've got accessible formats active on your account, this service won't be available either. 

For more info about the services you'll lose, full switching info and your accessible formats, please go to My O2 <I've removed the link> Can't use that link? Reply to this message with 'EMAIL' or 'POST' and we'll send you the info that way.

[Enlli]

When in any doubt contact O2 directly.

Guide: How to find help & contact O2 

[RDF]

I plan to call them as soon as my all-morning work call is complete. In the meantime I thought I'd ask here for anyone's personal experience/opinion. 

I will update when I have spoken to them.

[MI5]

@RDF 

All sounds normal and legit to me.

The text you received is from an O2 account.

However, you will get better deals by upgrading to a sim only on uswitch, but note the April 1st price rise and wait till then or factor it in.

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/o2/
Choose the deal you want
This will automatically redirect you to the O2 website
Just follow the prompts and choose the UPGRADE option
Complete the deal and nothing on your account changes except the tariff at the new cheaper cost
Payment date is the same and your next bill will be at a cheaper rate and will be made up of the pro rata cost of your old tariff and your new tariff
The change should show in My O2 within 24 hours
Volt benefits will still apply as will possibly a 3 month extra such as Disney+

[Enlli]

Good. The problem is that today it is so easy to spoof numbers, even genuine O2 ones.

O2 don't normally phone people offering deals as you are out of contract 

On the other hand their so called 'Trusted Partners' do and their sales methods are dubious ( and that's being kind) They will have access to all your details

[jonsie]

It does sound legit

I had the exact worded text a short while after requesting my PAC 

I haven't yet received a call but expecting O2 to call as they usually do

I definitely wouldn't make any changes from a cold call no matter how much info they held about you and your account

[RDF]

Used live chat, the operator said it was definitely not O2 and there had been zero changes to my account over the last 24 hours. So bit worried / not as worried.

I'll follow her advice and reset my password just in case.

On X, that number has been confirmed multiple times by the @O2 account as genuine, so a little less worried.

So in summary, it may have been legitimate 🤔

Thanks for the responses, fingers crossed I'll update again in a few weeks to confirm nothing bad happened !

[MI5]

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@RDF wrote:

Used live chat, the operator said it was definitely not O2

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Not sure how they would know that when they are based offshore and the call you received came form UK retentions team, with zero correlation between the two departments.

[jonsie]

Good luck, hope all stays well with your account

Changing your password was imperative just as you were advised

[RDF]

I'd hope they have a central database of O2 services, so at the very least. when they can't help they can advise who to call instead.