UK Mobile Providers: Scammers Exploit Trust, Beware of Deceptive Calls!

tellows Insights Report
Richard Grant
Richard Grant - Expert in Telecommunications and User Protection
Richard is responsible for tellows' Consumer Protection department and is responsible for investigating all matters relating to telephone fraud, with a particular focus on developments in the telecommunications sector. Last updated: Nov 2, 2023
In the UK, major mobile network providers like Vodafone, BT, and O2 have increasingly become targets for scammers who employ a range of deceptive tactics. These scammers often spoof legitimate phone numbers associated with these renowned companies, aiming to deceive clients and potential clients.

Categorizing Mobile Provider Calls

  1. Official Network Provider Numbers: Scammers misuse authentic contact numbers for mobile network providers. These numbers, though legitimate, are often exploited for fraudulent activities.
  2. Network Resellers: Customers who utilize services related to these network providers, such as broadband, TV, or affiliated credit card services, might receive calls from reseller companies or their call centers.
  3. Scammers Impersonating Mobile Providers: This category is the most concerning. Scammers impersonate network provider employees, targeting individuals, particularly older ones. Their objective is to extract personal information, conduct various scams, and exploit the trust associated with reputable telecom companies.
tellows phone providers

Let's take a look at the top 5 number rated positively and negatively for Vodafone, BT, and O2:


Official Network Provider Numbers


  • Vodafone Numbers with Positive Rating:
tellows users submitted to 4 different phone numbers a total of 19 ratings.
PhoneNumber Ratings Caller Example Score
+34747799635 1 scam Orange number saying they call from Vodafone, to an Irish number, from a Spanish number, with Indian 3
01495654487 3 claims to be Fonehouse Phone house calling about my Vodafone contract. I arranged a new iPhone and it got delivered the nex 6
02045539542 1 unknown Received a phone call on my mobile from an unknown number. I did not answer. Looked the number up on 6
08080000133 14 Vodafone callback Foreign accent. Said my recent new broadband order with Vodafone was cancelled due to technical erro 3

  • BT Numbers with Positive Rating:

tellows users submitted to 7 different phone numbers a total of 202 ratings.
PhoneNumber Ratings Caller Example Score
08456021111 106 British Telecommunication (BT) This number will keep calling your housephone because someone has sent a text message to it. The sys 6
01704898258 2 BT Business 1
08003289393 88 BT Mobile (Spoofed) BT Complaints management team 4
01438989231 1 unknown Phoned twice and hung up twice without speaking, voices in the background. Other sources claim BT fo 6
02045127177 1 Claimed to be BT Caller claimed to be from BT following up on fault a few months ago. Suggested that I change to ful 5

  • O2 Numbers with Positive Rating:

tellows users submitted to 2 different phone numbers a total of 4 ratings.
PhoneNumber Ratings Caller Example Score
01138684226 3 Turn crazy O2 complaints team mobile phone company 6
07513444959 1 Claiming to be O2 Claiming a payment overdue 6

Network Resellers


In the UK, a dynamic market of mobile service resellers has emerged. These resellers, often referred to as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), utilize the infrastructure of major network providers like Vodafone, BT, and O2 to offer competitive mobile services. They cater to diverse customer segments, providing cost-effective plans and specialized services, contributing to increased competition and choice in the UK's mobile service landscape.

Generally, third-party contract sellers can be trusted. The major four networks - EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2 - exclusively partner with reputable retailers, ensuring their legitimacy.

However, that doesn't guarantee each seller will have good or the same level of support. While the network will be responsible for the network service (coverage, reception, etc) and the contract, the retailer will be responsible for the phone itself, including:

  • Upfront payment
  • Delivery
  • Returns
  • Condition
  • Warranty and repairs
  • Passing your details to the network

Therefore, you should do your due diligence and research before making a purchase. Check review sites, such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews, and look for what other customers have to say about the seller.


Scammers Impersonating Mobile Providers


  • Scam or Fraud Calls Claiming to be from Vodafone:
tellows users submitted to 129 different phone numbers a total of 252 ratings.
PhoneNumber Ratings Caller Example Score
02033497738 2 iPhone Scammer lol, called me sayin i won an iphone!! Said he was from vodafone, but sounded like he was callin f 8
02081330005 2 Vodafone Scammer This guy called sayin he was from vodafone, total scammer! His accent was sooo thick, and he start 8
07351 6 Prefix - Vodafone Network 7351302488 Malicious call trying to get me to add number to Whatsapp. Telling me that they have rec 7
+447470326820 3 Spam Calls Since yesterday I had 4 missed calls from Vodafone. No clue. 7
02830739495 2 Vodafone/Sky Scam this number called me sayin they were from vodafone, total scam! i hung up so fast lol 8

  • Scam or Fraud Calls Claiming to be from BT:
tellows users submitted to 60 different phone numbers a total of 122 ratings.
PhoneNumber Ratings Caller Example Score
01753260637 6 claims to be BT claims to be BT, does not give up and keeps calling back. 8
01617105325 3 BT Impersonator 8
07726349873 2 BT Scam Alert This number called sayin it was BT, but it was a total SCAM!!! They tried to get my bank details. 8
+441217517238 2 BT Openreach Scam It wuz a silent call, then a guy sayin he's from BT, total scam, I hung up on him. 8
02045589669 2 EE/BT - Allegedly Called to sell me a plan. Explained TPS is on phone but he said that because I have a relative in th 8

  • Scam or Fraud Calls Claiming to be from O2:
tellows users submitted to 231 different phone numbers a total of 438 ratings.
PhoneNumber Ratings Caller Example Score
01274863522 2 O2 Mobile Scam This 'O2' person was SO pushy! Wanted my email and everything. Def a scam, ppl! Don't fall for it! 8
02033497732 2 O2 Billing Scam they said they wer from o2 an needed my bank deets 2 updat my sim. lol. total scam. 8
02045382876 2 O2 Discount Scam This numbr called sayin I won a free ipad! lol, I told em I only use androids. Def a scam! 7
02078647896 2 O2 SIM Deactivation They called sayin my O2 sim was gonna be cut off! Lol, I don't even use O2! Then the guy got real 8
01746331181 2 O2 Scammer This guy called sayin he was from O2, total scam! Indian accent, tryin to get my details. BLOCK I 9


Protecting Against Scam Calls

To safeguard against scam calls from network providers like Vodafone, BT, and O2, consumers should:
  • Be aware that legitimate providers typically don't initiate unsolicited calls for sensitive information.
  • Avoid providing personal information or updating account details via email or text messages.
  • Refrain from pressing buttons or following instructions given by automated voices.
  • Not share account information with websites other than the official provider's site.
  • Avoid returning calls to suspicious numbers. Instead, contact the official customer support channels provided by your network provider.
  • If you receive a call from a dubious number, hang up and consider blocking the caller.
  • Review tips for recognizing and handling scam calls provided by the network providers and consider reporting such calls to relevant authorities.

Utilizing tellows for Protection

To protect against these deceptive calls, consumers can utilize tellows resources:
  • Verify unknown numbers on tellows.co.uk to assess the caller and the reason for the call.
  • Use tellows apps for iOS and Android to identify unknown calls as soon as they ring. These apps help you make informed decisions in real-time.

The increase in scam calls targeting UK mobile providers like Vodafone, BT, and O2 is a growing concern. Consumers must stay vigilant, follow best practices for protecting their personal information, and use resources like tellows to identify and report suspicious calls.

tellows Insights for Journalists

This extensive research has been diligently curated by the tellows Insights team, merging the valuable insights from exclusive tellows data with the acumen of our experts. Each day, tellows assesses an array of user-provided ratings, facilitating the creation of informative statistics and the identification of emerging scam patterns tied to prominent phone numbers. This approach empowers us to sift through active fraudsters and promptly pinpoint newly suspicious phone numbers. Leveraging the vast tellows database, our team is primed to craft in-depth studies. For inquiries or further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team. All graphics and data are at your disposal for editorial purposes, provided due credit is given. As of the latest update on Nov 2, 2023, we have scrutinized these phone numbers, allotting them tellows scores on a scale of 1 (trustworthy) to 9 (suspicious). This scoring system offers a perspective on the level of risk linked to each phone number, with higher scores denoting more questionable callers. In this report, our focus is on numbers categorized as Vodafone, BT, and O2, taking into account the volume of reported phone numbers associated with these entities by tellows users.

*User interest for numbers assigned to Vodafone, BT, and O2


tellows Insights Report