Mobile phone network operator O2 is encouraging customers to dial a three-digit number and, if required, contact their bank as part of its latest alert. In a fresh wave of text messages and emails being dispatched to customers, the telecommunications service is reminding Britons of the warning signs to watch out for, which means they need to act, reports the Mirror.

A new text message from O2 is being dispatched to customers, which reads: “Your security is our priority. Here are a few reminders to help keep you safe.

“Scammers often pressure you to act fast or ignore warning signs. We’ll never call asking for passcodes, payment details or remote access. Keep an eye out for calls labelled ‘Suspected Scam’ or ‘Suspected Spam’.”

Highlighting the three-digit code customers should bear in mind, O2 added: “If you get a call and something feels off, hang up and call us on 202 from your O2 device. Remember, recycling your password puts your accounts at risk.”

Regarding flagging possible scam calls, a new email from O2 to customers states: “We want to keep you informed so you can be safe from scam calls. We’ve developed the ‘O2 nevers’ to help people spot potential fraudsters and their crafty tactics”. Sharing additional steps customers can take to protect themselves, O2 listed several red flags in the new alert.

1. Call you and ask you to read out your one-time passcode or bank details. O2 says: “If anyone calls asking for a code that’s been sent to you to secure a great deal, hang up. It’s a scam.”

2. Tell you to ignore security warnings. O2 states: “Security warnings are there for a reason – to help keep you safe. Genuine O2 employees will never ask you to disregard them.”

3. Get angry if you want to hang up. O2 states: “If you have any suspicion that you might be speaking to a scammer, the best thing to do is hang up and call us back by dialling 202 from your O2 phone”.

4. Pressure you into making a quick decision. O2 states: “Scammers will try to get you to act before you’ve had a chance to think about what’s going on. If you start hearing things like ‘this is a limited one-time offer’ or ‘you need to give me an answer right now’ – hang up”.

5. Ask you to pay to return a device. O2 states: “Fraudsters often try to convince victims they’ve been sent the ‘wrong device’ and trick them into sending it back. O2 provides pre-paid labels for device returns and only ever to the official O2 returns address, which is O2 Returns Centre, Communication House, Vulcan Road North, Norwich, NR66AQ. If you’re asked to pay for return shipping, it’s a scam.”

O2 added: “Keep an eye out for incoming calls labelled ‘Suspected Scam’ or ‘Suspected Spam’. Remember, recycling your password puts your accounts at risk. You should keep every single password unique, include a mix of letters, numbers and special characters, and make it as long as possible. The longer the password, the harder it is to crack.”

What to do if you think you’re a victim

If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud – whether that’s because you’ve provided details to someone over the phone, or clicked on a link in a suspicious text or email – there are steps you can take. According to O2, these include:

• Contact your bank if you think you may have given out financial information. They can help protect your account and stop transactions.
• Change your account and online account passwords.
• Forward fraudulent texts to O2 for free on 7726.
• Contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
• Call your Virgin Media or O2 customer services number if you think somebody’s taken out a contract using your details. O2 customers can call 202 from their O2 phone or 0344 809 0202 from any other phone.