Britons are being cautioned to remain vigilant as a surge in sophisticated scams is targeting phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s team highlights that cyber fraud is escalating rapidly, with potential consequences of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index underscores these concerns, revealing that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months. June 2026 witnessed the highest volume of suspicious calls ever identified by the network, prompting a renewed call for public awareness.
Common scams currently in circulation include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Fraudulent tactics also encompass bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming money owed or tax refunds due.
An emerging threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pose as familiar contacts seeking urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or divulging personal details to unknown numbers without verifying identities.
Scammers increasingly rely on authentic-looking websites, convincing messages, and false urgency to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasizes the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental impact on victims. The company works tirelessly to protect customers through various measures, including blocking scam texts and flagging suspicious calls.
Virgin Media O2 has thwarted millions of scam attempts and urges the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This reporting service, available across all UK mobile networks, aids in analyzing scam patterns, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking systems to shield more individuals from potential attacks.