BT Openreach is the division of British Telecom responsible for maintaining much of the UK’s broadband infrastructure.
Note that BT Openreach is a separate entity to BT Broadband that provides Internet access to homes and businesses.
About BT Openreach scam texts, emails and phone calls
Scams impersonating BT Openreach can happen over the phone, through text or via email.
Phone scams
Crooks may call victims claiming to represent BT Openreach in order to either lure the victim into handing over sensitive information or installing remote desktop software, thus providing access to the victim’s device and making them vulnerable to malware infections. During these scam phone calls, the caller may claim –
- The recipient’s Internet will be disconnected because of suspicious or illegal activity.
- The caller is testing or upgrading the recipient’s Internet speed.
- The recipient needs to confirm their personal and billing information.
It is also possible that crooks can also text or email victims claiming to be from BT Openreach, though currently we have no specific incidents to report on this page.
Report a BT Openreach phone, text and email scam.
If you believe any of your financial information may have been compromised as a result of a scam, you should report it to your financial institution (bank, card issuer) immediately using their security hotline number.
How to report a BT Openreach scam phone call?
Scam phone calls can be reported to BT Openreach via BT’s main website using this link.
How to report a BT Openreach scam email?
You can forward any scam email and send it to phishing@BT.com.
How to report a BT Openreach scam text?
BT Openreach recommends you forward any suspicious text to your phone carrier (information is below.)
If you're in the UK, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam emails can be forwarded to The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at report@phishing.gov.uk
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the police via ActionFraud by calling 0300 123 2040 (or 101 in Scotland) or by using ActionFraud's online reporting tool here.
If you're in the USA, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using their complaint assistant here or by calling 1-877-382-4357 (9am-8pm ET)
From a different country? Click here.
You can also forward SMS or email scams to us at scam@thatsfake.com
Avoiding BT Openreach phone, text and email scams
Consumers should note that BT Openreach does not call customers about Internet speed or testing issues and will not call to threaten to cut off a person’s Internet. If you get a call from someone making these claims simply hang up the phone and report the call using the information above. Never hand over personal and sensitive information to someone over the phone, especially if that call was not expected or arranged.
As with all unexpected emails and text messages, never click on any links or call any phone numbers included in such correspondence. If you’re not sure if a text or email from BT Openreach is genuine you can contact them using their contact information on their website. You can also contact them on their support Twitter channel here.