Virgin Media O2 users are being warned about a concerning new scam targeting consumers. The telecoms company has raised an alert due to a significant increase in fake call center numbers generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to deceive individuals.
Reports indicate that millions of people might have fallen victim to calling these fraudulent numbers, leading them to cybercriminals seeking to extract personal information, such as sensitive banking details.
It is estimated that approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered counterfeit customer service numbers through search engines or AI platforms.
Virgin Media has highlighted that criminals are exploiting AI technologies to display phony phone numbers, websites, and search results to extract and misuse personal data from unsuspecting individuals.
As more people rely on AI-generated search results, hackers have found a convenient method to ensnare potential victims.
To safeguard against such scams, Virgin advises customers to exclusively use authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, apps, or billing statements. For contacting O2, dial 202 from an O2 device, and for Virgin Media, call 150 from a landline.
It is crucial to exercise caution when dealing with phone numbers sourced from search engines, social media posts, or AI tools. Additionally, individuals should refrain from sharing security codes or personal information with unanticipated callers, regardless of their claimed identity.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the heightened risk posed by AI tools enabling fraudsters to present realistic counterfeit numbers through search results or chatbots, potentially leading individuals to connect with criminals unknowingly.
Virgin Media O2 is actively combating scams by blocking known fraudulent numbers on the network and leveraging AI to flag over 1 billion suspicious calls to date. The public is encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726 to aid in swiftly shutting down scams and protecting potential victims from exploitation through new scamming avenues.
