THE UK’s largest phone network has issued an urgent scam alert to its customers, affecting both iPhone and Android users.
The warning is particularly important as demand for new tech grows in the run-up to Christmas.
Manufacturers often use the latter half of the year to launch their latest devices in anticipation of a festive sales boom.
This can be great for shoppers as they can get the newest gadgets on their lists in time for the big day.
Just this month, the iPhone 16 has been unveiled, with new AI features rolling out in the near future.
And it was only in the summer that Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
But O2, the UK’s largest network provider, has warned that it can also be a busy period for scammers looking to take advantage of Brits’ eagerness to buy.
The firm said: “Fraudulent activity often increases during device launches, and scammers may reach out with offers that seem too good to be true, such as steep discounts or free devices.
“We’re calling on customers to watch out for three signs you might be a target of scammers, and issues advice on how to stay safe.”
Criminal gangs are apparently targeting product launches to steal personal data, passwords and even cash.
Fortunately, O2’s cybersecurity experts are on hand with three key rules to follow to protect yourself
First of all, they emphasised that if a deal sounds too good to be true, that’s probably because it is.
It’s important to remember that providers including 02 will never ask you to provide passwords or bank details over the phone or by text.
This data should only be used to log into your account on the firm’s official website and users should be wary of any suspicious links purporting to redirect them to it.
They said: “Whether it’s a tempting 30% or 40% discount on your bill or a free new phone or tablet, scammers will promise anything and everything to try and trick customers into handing over sensitive information.
“Once they have this, fraudsters use it to clear security and take out a device in the victim’s name, leaving them responsible for the bill.”
If you are asked for such information over the phone, end the conversation immediately and contact your provider directly.
Likewise, they warned against engaging with messages saying that there has been a password or address change that you didn’t ask for.
Don’t click any links and instead call your provider to discuss any suspicious activity on your account.
This is especially important if, like many Brits, you use the same password across multiple platforms as you could see all your accounts compromised.
Finally, O2 alerted customers to an even more devious scam where crooks order devices to unsuspecting customers’ homes without their knowledge.
They then send a fake message saying the product was delivered in error and provide an address or courier to pass it on to.
If you do so, you could be left holding the bill for the missing device.
The firm added: “Scammers typically try to reach you first, so it’s important to contact O2 immediately if you receive any package unexpectedly.
“O2 can check for any suspicious activity on your account, help protect it from further misuse, and provide a pre-paid label to ensure the device is safely returned to the official O2 Returns Centre.”
