Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as there is a surge in sophisticated scams targeting phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s team warns that cyber fraud is on the rise, posing risks of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index confirms that approximately 18 million adults in the UK have been targeted by scammers in the last three months. June 2026 witnessed the highest number of suspicious calls ever detected by the network, prompting a fresh alert for the public to stay vigilant.
Common scams currently in circulation include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Criminals are also employing tactics like bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming money owed or tax refunds due.
A growing concern is the infamous “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pretend to be someone known to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal information with unknown contacts without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using authentic-looking websites, convincing messages, and urgency tactics to push victims into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive details.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the evolving nature of fraud and its severe impact on victims. The company is dedicated to safeguarding customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combating scammers.
Virgin Media O2 has blocked millions of scam attempts and urges the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This reporting service is free and accessible on all UK mobile networks, aiding in the analysis of scam activity, detection of new fraud trends, investigation of malicious numbers, and enhancement of blocking systems for better protection against future attacks.
