UK mobile network O2 has just released some important advice to UK smartphone users and it's not something to be ignored. The company, which keeps millions of iPhone and Android users connected to calls, texts and the web, is telling users to stay extra vigilant and watch out for scams.
With lots of new devices from Google, Samsung and Apple arriving in stores over the past few weeks, cyber crooks often use this time of year to cash in and falling for their online tricks could leave you seriously out of pocket.
"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," O2 explained.
"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."
If you are concerned about scams and want to stay safe then here's O2's advice on how to avoid becoming the next victim of online crime.
Firstly, don't be fooled by a message out of the blue offering deals that sound too good to be true. Scammers are well known for using the lure of discounts to get personal data from unsuspecting users.
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"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," O2 explained.
"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."
It's worth remembering that companies like O2 will never contact you and start asking for passwords or bank details. If you get anyone asking for this end the conversation immediately.
The next scam doing the rounds is a message that claims to be from the network saying there has been a password change, billing address update or a PAC code when you didn’t request.
"If your email address has been compromised or hacked, it often serves as a gateway for scammers to try and access other accounts, such as MyO2," O2 said.
"This becomes even riskier if the same password is used across multiple platforms.
"Before attempting to take out a device, scammers will often make changes to a customer’s online account, making it harder for the victim to access or detect fraudulent activity."
If you receive a message you were not expecting then it’s likely that scammers are at work. O2 says anyone who thinks something is wrong should contact them immediately.
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The final alert is perhaps the most worrying. Scammers are now trying a new trick where they place an order for a phone and get it sent out to your address. A message is then pushed out saying a mistake has been made and once the device arrives it should be sent to an address or picked up by courier - both of which are fake. If duped, the victim is then charged for the device that they no longer have.
Explaining more, O2 said: "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 at Communication House, Vulcan Road North, Norwich, NR6 6AQ.
