topic Re: Scam calls? in Account and services

Scam calls?

g12345 — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 18:12:57 GMT

Hi, I'm getting lots of very persistent calls advertising a "too-good-to-be-true" promotion (50% off my monthly bill for being a loyal customer and a free set of airpods), which normally I'd write off as a scam straight away, but they know a lot about me and my Three account (addresses, monthly bills, bank account number etc) and have sent auto-texts from the numbers marked "From Three" and "Three UK". Phone numbers are 0330 320 0953 and 0333 338 1001, and they've also sent me emails from promotions@threeguk.com. Can anyone answer if this is a legit promotion because it feels wrong whenever I'm on the phone to them and I've been hanging up.

Re: Scam calls?

JonathanB — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 08:32:25 GMT

Hi @g12345,

This does look like a scam, we wouldn't use a domain like @threeguk.com when we have legitimate email addresses on our actual website domain @three.co.uk. Unfortunately scammers also use "spoofing" technology to appear to be calling from different numbers than they are actually calling from.

There's more guidance on spam, scams, fraud, and how to report them on our Fraud to watch out for page here.

Thanks,
Jonathan

Re: Scam calls?

luna7stic3cong0 — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:47:45 GMT

It is a scam call. I got a similar call 2 days ago, which involved the same email address and phone numbers. I contacted Three afterwards via the website Chat pop-up and they confirmed that there was a request on my account to change the email address, which was not me.

In my case, the call was from 01294 ****** (apologies @JonathanB if the full number is not allowed). I initially did not pick up that it could be a scam, so I confirmed my name and email address with them. The person who called me transferred me to another person, to "their manager". After being repeated what the promotion was, I received an email from the same email address as you, promotions@threeguk.com, with the promotion they aregued they're offering me on behalf of Three UK.

They offered a free gift of choice between Apple Watch and AirPods. I realised that something is off when they offered the free gift + 45% off what I'm currently paying + unlimited data because it sounded to good to be true. Moreover, I looked at the caller ID and it was saying "Simply Scrumptious", which should have been my first clue.

Fortunately, I didn't offer them any other information, but I was naive to offer them 2 or 3 passcodes I received from Three that acctually came from Three. They also asked for a passcode that I received from the VERIFIED Yahoo Business account on WhatsApp. During the process, the second person told me that if the call gets interrupted or I have any issues to call 0330 320 0955 and ask for "Isaac Volter" with extension 7012. They saying to wait because they had some error with their system. They eventually said they have to call later.

Thankfully, when they called later from 0330 320 0955 and from other numbers, my phone didn't ring because it identified the numbers as SPAM. I have now reported all phone numbers by texting "CALL {phone-number}" to 7726 (replacing the curly brackets part to the actual phone number I reported). I also reported promotions@threeguk.com as a pishing address to Google.

I am ashamed I didn't realise it was a scam at first and that I even provided them with some passcodes, but luckily no damage was done. I am posting this because fraudsters and scammers can catch anyone offguard! I am a software engineer and I am very careful with divulging personal information online and over the phone, yet I still confirmed some info they had on me. I use 2FA everywhere it's available and long random passwords generated by a password manager. I am also aware of SIM swapping and that having a phone number hacked can give someone access to receive 2FA codes for accounts that uses SMS for 2FA, which is why I avoid SMS for 2FA. I prefer TOTP codes and hardware security keys (e.g. YubiKey).

Re: Scam calls?

A_M — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:10:32 GMT

Hi,

I got the same phone call and email from @threeguk.com offering me a lot of discounts and roaming data and free items, and at the end, they wanted to set up a new direct debit and asked for my bank information. That is what raised concerns and I searched their email address online. Also, the number they were calling was listed as Three on my phone. What was confusing was that they already had a lot of information about me.

Thanks

Re: Scam calls?

AnK — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 20:57:22 GMT

I wasn’t lucky like you. They already knew my bank account number and sort code. They asked me to provide my debit card details with 3 digit numbers and make payment. They said they would call me back to confirm the new plan with order ID for free Apple Watch. But they didn’t call back. I contacted Three and discovered there was an order for a new device in my account and I asked for support to cancel it. They used the same email address, phone number like you said above but mine was Harry Wilson ext 3021. If only I read about it before I picked up their calls.

Re: Scam calls?

PeteG — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 15:47:57 GMT

Hi, AnK.

Oh gee, that's awful. I'm sorry to hear that this has happened to you. I hope your bank was quick enough to stop any additional damage from being done.

If you're feeling unsure about what to do, or how to better protect your accounts, it's a good idea to reach out to your bank for additional support and advice. They have very useful advice that can help secure your accounts and help you better identify risks going forwards. Fingers crossed you'll never have this kind of issue again though.

Pete.

Re: Scam calls?

kristika — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:54:15 GMT

yes i did get one i thought this is scam too, but is its genuine?

Re: Scam calls?

Asghar381 — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 21:18:30 GMT

Hi Did you actually receive your free gift/ promotion deal or is this actually a scam.

Re: Scam calls?

Meenabel — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:27:41 GMT

Same happened to me

I just felt off

they knew too much

Re: Scam calls?

JonathanB — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:27:33 GMT

Hi @Meenabel,

Thanks for helping raise awareness about these scams. There's more guidance on spam, scams, fraud, and how to report them on our Fraud to watch out for page here.

It sounds like you did realise it was a scam at the time, so I hope you didn't give any of your sensitive info away, but please let me know if you need any more advice or support?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Re: Scam calls?

Omegaxis — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:10:39 GMT

So I am not the only one, Here is what is weird about my story, I also got a scam call by Phone Number 03303200979, saying the exact same thing promotion 80% off which i can canal at any time and they were going to send me a tablet Samsung Galaxy A9, I foolishly gave them my details & they took 20 Pounds out of my account, & they said I would get a refund its only for secretary reasons, but what was crazy is that they sent me the wrong product to my house address and it was an IPhone 14.

This shocked me cause I got another call from them & I told them this is the wrong product, (I really should have just kept it shut) they said it was a mistake from there side & they would send me another free gift plus the tablet, that I should return the item to the post office, they sent me the barcode from the email cancellation@threeguk.com & I returned the Item. So now I was waiting for a Samsung Galaxy A9 & IPhone 15 Pro.

Thank Goodness I did not keep most of my money in that bank, only now its harder to now get in touch with them, cause a different person answers, am getting different names, promises of refunds, when the next date the products will be sent & worse off all they are all sound Indian, I really should have known better, Take my Story as a lesson

Re: Scam calls?

JonathanB — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:49:17 GMT

Hi @Omegaxis,

I'm really sorry to hear this. This is certainly going to be fraudsters impersonating Three. The email you've shared definitely isn't from Three, and I don't recall ever seeing the phone number you mentioned.

Unfortunately the "wrong" device being sent is part of a tactic used by scammers. This gives a justification for the return, which they'll have used to steal the device by asking you to send this to a different address rather than our warehouse, so that it can be intercepted.

I'm concerned reading this about whether you've been pursuing this issue with the scammers rather than our fraud teams.

Please follow the steps on our report a problem page if you haven't already. You'd be best to report this situation to Action Fraud, your bank, and ensure customer services has raised a fraud investigation for you. Please ensure you only use the options to get in touch on https://www.three.co.uk if you follow the instructions on the report a problem page, this will get you to the right people to help.

Thanks,
Jonathan

Re: Scam calls?

Scammed — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:57:55 GMT

Fraud me to same number

Re: Scam calls?

Scammed — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 21:03:43 GMT

Block this number I was scammed on it 0333 338 1001 they only know the last few numbers of your account cause they break into you 3 account the idea is to send you a free watch or phone they ring back to say they sent you the wrong item and ask you to return it but it doesn’t go to three but to the scammers. They purchase the phone on your account. The issue is how do they break into your 3 account>. Block the number don’t respond if you get caught cancel debit cards and contact the fraud team at 3 (takes a week for them to investigate and only return phone or item to 3 hope this helps went half way through the process before stopping it when new iPhone got hand delivered to my address when not ordered

Re: Scam calls?

Scammed — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 21:06:09 GMT

Btw they want 6.99 for activation fee which is taken from your bank account from a genuine three online account. The phone messages etc seem to be from 3 too it’s very clever. Don’t give out debit card details

Re: Scam calls?

JonathanB — Thu, 01 May 2025 11:11:04 GMT

Hi there,

I'm really sorry to hear that you were a victim of fraud, but glad to hear our fraud teams have helped get this sorted out. Thanks for helping raise awareness about these scams.

Just to confirm the number you've shared is for Three customer service and you can see this on the contact us page. What has happened in your case is called "spoofing". Criminals can use software illegally to fake the phone number they're calling from, making it seem like they're calling from your network provider, bank, or other legitimate businesses, or even personal landline or mobile numbers.

The best advice is to be cautious about any unsolicited calls, even if the number on caller ID looks legitimate, it may be best to call 333 and check if customer services can confirm we're trying to get in touch.

Here's a link to our fraud to watch out for page, which explains more about various scams and how you can help report them.

Thanks,
Jonathan