Virgin Media O2 users are being warned to stay vigilant as a new scam targeting them has been on the rise. The telecommunications company has issued an alert after noticing a significant increase in fake call center numbers being distributed by artificial intelligence.
Reports from the company indicate that millions of individuals may have already fallen victim to calling fraudulent numbers that link them to cybercriminals attempting to steal personal information, such as banking details.
It is estimated that approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered fake customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Virgin Media has stated that criminals are taking advantage of AI-driven tools to present consumers seeking to contact reputable brands with fake phone numbers, websites, and search results to capture data and commit fraud.
As more people rely on AI-generated search results for information, hackers are finding an easy way to deceive unsuspecting victims.
To safeguard against such scams, Virgin Media advises customers to only use authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, apps, or bills. For contacting O2, users can dial 202 from an O2 device, and for Virgin Media, the number is 150 from a landline.
Furthermore, individuals are urged to be cautious of numbers obtained from search engines, social media posts, or AI tools and to refrain from sharing security codes or personal details with unverified callers, regardless of their claims.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the risk posed by AI tools enabling fraudsters to create convincing fake numbers, leading people to inadvertently contact criminals instead of legitimate service providers.
Virgin Media O2 is actively combating these scams by blocking known scammer numbers on the network and utilizing AI to flag over 1 billion suspicious calls to date. The public is encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726 to expedite the shutdown of scams.
By raising awareness and taking collective action, Virgin Media O2 aims to enhance customer safety and combat fraudulent activities in the evolving landscape of cybercrime.
