O2 issues urgent warning to customers to 'turn text message previews off' immediately

O2 has issued an urgent warning to all customers, advising them to disable text message previews. This alert comes in the wake of a surge in thefts across the UK, with the telecom giant providing five essential tips to help protect your mobile device from being stolen.

The company cautioned: "Only store sensitive information like login details in apps with password or biometric protection. Use different PINs on your apps to your main device. Set up and switch on a SIM pin. Turn message preview OFF."

Delving into the reasons behind this advice, O2 explained: "Scammers are increasingly using stolen phones to access bank accounts and even take out loans in victims' names. Many banks and websites send verification messages to your phone to check it's really you. If a fraudster can read these, they'll find it easier to go after your savings or spend money in your name."

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Highlighting a common security oversight, O2 pointed out: "More than a third of us (36%) have message preview on, meaning messages can be read even without your pin code. All someone has to do is look at your home screen. To prevent this, you should turn your preview off so that you can only see who the message is from not what the message contains when the device is locked."

O2 added: "Ensure you have important device account information handy and in a safe place."

The Times obtained data under the Freedom of Information laws, revealing that from January 1, 2019, to December 31 last year, at least 316,683 mobile phone thefts were reported by 35 police forces. Commander Owain Richards, of the Met Police, said: "We understand the impact that mobile phone theft can have on victims. It's an invasive and sometimes violent crime and we're committed to protecting Londoners and tackling this issue as we make the capital safer. Our response in this case fell short of expected standards and we apologise to the victim for the service they received.

"Met officers are targeting resources to hotspot areas, such as Westminster, Lambeth and Newham, with increased patrols and plain-clothes officers, which deter criminals and make officers more visibly available to members of the community."

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