Scam calls from people claiming to be 3

[Hatshepsut]

Keep getting calls from this number: 03333381017 - by people with "offers" for my 3 plan. They are very persistent and I have good reasons to think they're scammers but just wanted to be certain they're not some overzealous subcontractors working for 3. 

[vibrantlinda]

They actually sell the customers numbers, which is crazy. I'm leaving 3 as well. 

[EllieMac]

Same they have far to much information my name etc & knew to much yet were obviously scammers when I confronted them on the phone they folded like a cheap suit , yet 3 network needs to get on top of this , 4 calls just today . 

[leahcarrenidrag]

I have had persistent calls for the last few weeks, one earlier today from 020 4586 8496 and another one in the last 5 minutes from 07490 274935 saying they can offer 30% off my 3 bill. People from work call me on my personal number and I can't change the settings to silence all unknown numbers for this reason. 

What is being done about this scam, or is this legitimate? 

[CarlaC]

I just had a call from 020 4571 2776 offering me the same thing, I must admit I almost fell for it, until she said they had to pass to the manager and fill an application. 
I hanged up and blocked the number as they don’t stop calling, they even left a voicemail - which Three would never do. 

[stevieburt]

I just had a very concerning experience with a likely fraudster/scammer pretending to be Three. He called from a landline number (as you can imagine, when I googled it, it was listed as a number for a takeaway in Scotland, likely nothing to do with this scam) 

He was offering half-off my bill as I am an existing customer. Suspecting it was a scam, I didn't give him more than my name initially, I thought this is common information. It proceeded and I thought maybe it could be legit, but grew wary when he asked for my model of my phone, offering other upgrades and the for my household. 

THEN, and this is the kicker, he said he had sent me a verification code, which came from Three (I had a previous text message thread containing more of these) so I gave it to him... stupid, I realised later with some clarity of thought. 

I then received a text message from Three saying my email address had been changed. This set off the alarm bells. LUCKILY, I was already logged into my Three mobile app during this suspicious call, so I had access to my account still. The email address has been changed to terminator****@hotmail.com. I immediately hung up, but in a way that would not arise suspicion. 

I managed to call Three, although I had to fein interest in an account upgrade to get to a real person quickly, this should be fixed! And the advisor there was very helpful, he told me however that Three had no record of calling me that day or any time recently. I managed to set up a pin and whatnot and change my email address back and get my account back.

However, I was lucky! Please be careful with this scammers, because, yes, in hindsight it seems obvious, but when you're on the phone not everyone is as savvy, I wasn't! It's scary because ACTUAL Three ask you for these verification codes, and it came from their number both times. But the first caller wasn't Three. They must have had my details from a security leak elsewhere, and somehow got in and sent that verification through.

Be careful out there people! 

[Raeevs]

Just had the same phone call from a scottish takeaway offering 35% - I said to them this is too good to be true and they stated it was because I was loyal (only been back with 3 since February). Just hang up!

[Elliemac42]

Same happened had a Indian man saying he was from 3 network & due to 3 network going down so much they were calling costumers to reduce bills / the real 3 network needs to be doing more about this as they do have network issues & that’s what got me to talk to them for a short time 

[sc1999]

If you are ever in doubt about who you are talking to, say: I am sorry but I am busy and hang up. You can always contact 3 and ask if they called you. And remember the old saying, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

[NigelD]

Hi, I have had multiple calls by people claiming to be from 3 and offering me what sounds like offers which are too good to be trus, i.e. reducing my monthly bill from £65/month to £30/month with a free phone upgrade to the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max. They are very persistent and I have good reasons to think they're scammers but just wanted to be certain that they don't work for 3 and I'm missing out on a great deal.

The numbers I'm getting calls from are:- 01135191013; 01313810313; 01415015130; 01313813812; 02881419551; 02882123327; 01415015119; 01313585529

NigelD

[JonathanB]

Hey @NigelD,

We don't use landline area codes (numbers beginning 01 or 02), at best you're dealing with a 3rd party dealer trying to get a commission, and at worse this may be a scam or fraud.

Here's a page on Fraud to watch out for, with some more handy info. It's always worth sending a free text message to 7726 with the message CALL followed by the suspicious number you've been called from. This helps alert our Customer Protection Team, so that they can take action to help protect against spammers and scammers.

Thanks,
Jonathan