Call from O2 about change of SIM

[CarolineY]

Hello 

I have had a call today from someone claiming to be O2 (based in India I think) saying I need to change my SIM card?

What is this about? 

I am concerned it is a scam.

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@CarolineY 

It's a well known scam.
Block the number and do not follow any links.
Forward the scam text or number to 7726 - It's free.
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
https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/Scam-Alert-Vishing-Smishing-amp-Phishing-Megaguide/td-p/1...

[Malc-1]

Had a call allegedly from 02 today targeting ex virgin customers advising a new Sim card required. They attempted to access my Google account which I blocked. Please be alert to this scam.

[DavidMTB]

Just had exactly the same call 7th October 2024.

An Asia sounding person telephone number: 0113 5268719

[GW139]

I had a call from "Amanda" with a very strong accent, asking if I was happy with my service. It was from a Private Number so could not track the call. I was inclined to believe it was a genuine customer service call as she did call me back at a more convenient time later. I did give my O2 account passwords but she had difficulty understanding them and when she did access my account said she would send me a new sim card and talked about lowering some bills by 40%. She is going to ring again on Monday as she couldn't get me through security. Only a while after did I wonder if I need to change all of my details as it may be a scam.I have checked my accounts and so far nothing suspicious. Any advice?

[MI5]

@GW139 

Definitely a scam.

If you think you’ve been the victim of fraud – whether it’s because you’ve given details to someone over the phone, or clicked on a link in a suspicious text or email there are things you can do:

Contact your bank if you think you may have given out financial information. They can help protect your account and stop transactions.

Change your account and online account passwords. Not just your O2 account. All of them.

Forward fraudulent texts to O2 for free on 7726.

Contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Call your Virgin Media or O2 customer services number if you think somebody’s taken out a contract using your details.

Virgin Media customers can phone 150 from their landline or 0345 454 1111 from any other phone.

O2 customers can call 202 from their O2 phone or 0344 809 0202 from any other phone.

You can block the number that called you, or any number you think may be suspicious.

How to block a number:

https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062352/

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201229

There are also these links to look at:

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/

[GW139]

Thanks for the information. Fortunately I did not give any financial details or confirm my address. She did say she would send a new sim card with my number so that any coverage issues would be resolved but surely she would have had that if she was legitimate O2  customer service. Have you any tips on how we can be sure we are speaking to an O2 rep?

[MI5]

@GW139 

Just ignore any cold calls, don't give any info and only speak to O2 when you have called them.

Genuine numbers in this link Guide: How to find help & contact O2 

[Oxonian]

@GW139 

One other think to be aware of is "spoofing". Hence, the call will appear to come from a legitimate O2 number but is actually from a scammer :-

What is Spoofing & How to Prevent it (kaspersky.com)

https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/spoofing

Caller ID spoofing - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caller_ID_spoofing