O2 is a mobile network operator in the United Kingdom.
About O2 scam texts, emails and phone calls
Scams that pretend to be from a person's mobile network or Internet provider are extremely common and can be initiated via text, email, social media or a phone call. Such scams will often attempt to either alarm a recipient that there is something wrong with their mobile/Internet account, or lure them with promises of rewards, upgrades or gifts.
The aim of these scams is to lure recipients to spoof data harvesting websites or to downloading malware. Examples of these scams can include -
Examples of such scams can include -
- The claim that there is an issue with the recipient’s billing information that may result in their service being stopped.
- The claim that the recipient has a new voicemail which they need to click a link to retrieve.
- The claim that the recipient's account has been suspended for security concerns or violations.
- The claim the recipient has been awarded a gift as a goodwill gesture for downtime, or as a reward for paying a bill.
- The claim the recipient was overcharged and is due a refund.
- The claim the recipient needs to download software or updates to continue using their service.
Texts and emails will likely lead to spoof websites designed to look like the website of a mobile operator, but are controlled by crooks and will steal any information entered into them. They may also try and trick visitors into downloading harmful files. Scam phone calls may be designed to trick recipients into giving crooks personal or financial information over the phone.
The below example of a O2 sms text scam claims there is an issue with the recipient’s billing and they need to click to resolve. This will lead to a phishing website.
The below example of an email scam claims the recipient can see their latest bill by clicking a link. Such claims can lead to a phishing website that steals information or it can try and trick the recipient into downloading malware.
Report an O2 phone, text and email scam.
How to report an O2 scam text?
O2 recommends forwarding them any scam text using the number 7726
How to report a O2 scam email?
You can attach the scam email to a new email with the subject “Phishing” and send it to spam@o2.com
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 O2 phone, text and email scams
While emails or text messages from phone network operators may be genuine, recipients should always be sceptical of such messages when they ask them to click links, open attachments, download files or call phone numbers.
- Avoid clicking links on emails and text messages that claim to come from a phone network provider. If you're not sure if it is genuine, go to the network operator's website and login or contact them using the information listed on their website or your billing paperwork.
- Be especially cautious of texts and emails that appear to try and panic you with threats of having your account or network service suspended unless you click a link or download a file.
- Never open email attachments or download files from emails claiming to show billing information or invoices unless you were specifically expecting that email.
- If you do click a link in a message, always check the web address of the page you're on to see if it belongs to the utility company.
- For emails that appears to come from a phone network operator, look for common red flags such as generic greetings (i.e. Hello customer) and poor spelling and grammar.
O2 also have a page about spotting scams on their website here.