O2 issues alert to all UK customers and ignoring it could be costly

O2 has issued a warning to all customers in the UK, telling them to be extra vigilant and look out for scams. Here's everything you need to know.

O2, the UK mobile network giant, has just dropped some crucial advice for smartphone users across the UK, and it's a warning that should not be taken lightly. The telecoms firm, which connects countless iPhone and Android users to essential services like calls, texts, and internet, is urging customers to be extra cautious and keep an eye out for scams.

With a slew of new gadgets from tech heavyweights like Google, Samsung, and Apple hitting the shelves recently, cybercriminals are known to exploit these periods to make a quick buck, and falling prey to their schemes could hit your wallet hard. "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 has warned.

The company is proactively advising its customers to be alert for three key signs that might indicate they're being targeted by scammers, and provides guidance on how to stay secure. If you're worried about scams and want to protect yourself, here's what O2 suggests to avoid becoming another statistic in online crime.

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For starters, don't get taken in by unexpected messages offering deals that appear incredibly generous. It's well-known that scammers dangle enticing discounts to extract personal details from the unwary.

"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 cautions, reports the Mirror.

"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," warns O2. 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. 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.

Elaborating on the issue, O2 stated: "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."

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