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Crowbar's avatar
Crowbar
On our wavelength
3 years ago
Solved

SCAM CALLS ever since moving to O2 network!!!

In all my many many years of owning a mobile phone, I've been very careful with my phone number and I've NEVER had any SCAM calls. The very DAY, we were sold off to O2 I start to get SCAM calls from Manchester pretty much every other day from a Manchester number. Coincidence? 😡

  • bownyboy's avatar
    bownyboy
    3 years ago

    I've had exactly the same issue. Virgin Mobile SIM for many years and counted the number of spam calls on one hand. Since moving to O2 SIM I now get around 5 spam calls a WEEK. 

    I don't answer them and continuously block them (after googling the numbers on who called me)

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  • bownyboy's avatar
    bownyboy
    Tuning in
    3 years ago

    I've had exactly the same issue. Virgin Mobile SIM for many years and counted the number of spam calls on one hand. Since moving to O2 SIM I now get around 5 spam calls a WEEK. 

    I don't answer them and continuously block them (after googling the numbers on who called me)

    • Pinkyman5155's avatar
      Pinkyman5155
      Joining in
      2 years ago

      I have had two scam calls from O2 in the last hour, both from different numbers, how have the scammers got my information from virgin?

      • Kath_P's avatar
        Kath_P
        Icon for Forum Team rankForum Team
        2 years ago

        Hi Pinkyman5155, 

        Thanks for taking the time to contact us via the Community. It's lovely having you on board with us in the Forums. ⭐

        I'm very sorry to hear you've also been receiving scam calls after your migration.  We know these calls can be concerning and very frustrating. 

        You can report scam calls by texting 'CALL' to 7726 - O2 will respond by asking for the number calling you. Please don't answer the call/call the number back. You might want to block the number by using the settings on your phone.

        Thanks, 

    • Bcannon's avatar
      Bcannon
      Joining in
      2 years ago

      I have also had the same issue, having been with virgin mobile for over 5 uears, I have never dealt with fraudulent calls on the level that I am now. 5-8 calls a week claiming to be from 02, and when I contact 02 they are not helpfull at all, just inform me that it has nothing to do with the change over. I am very disappointed in this, and wish we could be given an option to move back or cancel our contracts with no fee's. 

    • Murff's avatar
      Murff
      Tuning in
      2 years ago

      Hi Sabrina

      I keep getting this text 

      *Be alert to fraud* NEVER share this code, including with O2 staff. Help us protect your O2 account. To retrieve your My O2 account, enter code 483417.

      Then a call within seconds offering discounts on O2 

      Scam I presume but texts look genuine even come with O2 no number at top of texts 

      I think call is scam but the text?? 

      Any ideas

      • goslow's avatar
        goslow
        Alessandro Volta
        2 years ago

        This sounds like the format for a smishing scam

        https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/o2-customers-targeted-by-fake-discount-calls-aXiUF7A5oMc0

        https://www.o2.co.uk/inspiration/the-drop/smishing

        The scammer initiates a password reset for your O2 account/number. As part of that process O2 sends you a text with a one-time passcode on it.

        Shortly after, you receive a call from the scammer pretending to be O2 and offering you a fantastic 'discount'.

        The scammer says that they need the code on the SMS to process the discount for you.

        Do not ever give out any such code.

        If you give the scammer the code it will be used to carry out a password reset on your account which will allow the scammer to gain access.

        From there they will typically order an expensive phone, charged to your account, but delivered to a third-party address.

        Often the first the customer knows about this is when they fail to receive any promised O2 discounts and instead they find they have been charged for an expensive phone that they have not received.

    • Tsimpson864's avatar
      Tsimpson864
      Joining in
      2 years ago

      I have also been subject to this personally. I was one of the first to move over in I think late may early June. I have been with Virgin for years and honestly can not remember getting more than a few random calls. Almost immediately after switching to O2 I started receiving these scam calls and they vary from 5-7 a day to one every few days. They are very concerning. This has also now happening to my wife now her number has migrated across. After speaking to a friend he has also seen the same issue. This is ridiculous. I think Vergin media and or O2 need to investigate the possibility that have been hacked or have released our details to scammers. 

    • Crowbar's avatar
      Crowbar
      On our wavelength
      3 years ago

      Here are the numbers I've had to block. I only answered the first one. As soon as they mentioned HMRC refund I ditched the call and looked up the number and it was a known scam number. If it doesn't stop I'm switching providers.

      • Kath_P's avatar
        Kath_P
        Icon for Forum Team rankForum Team
        3 years ago

        Hi Crowbar, 

        Thanks for coming back to us on this one. It looks as though the moderation team has declined the picture but based on what you've said, they do certainly sound like Spam calls. The link my colleague gave you will help you to protect yourself against these sorts of calls. 

        The migration to O2 wouldn't have had an effect on these and it will be just a coincidence. 

        Apologies once again. 

        Thanks,