Britons are being cautioned to remain on high alert as an increase in sophisticated scams is targeting smartphones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s team has reported a surge in cyber fraud cases, with a continuous rise posing a significant threat. Falling victim to these scams could result in personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index has revealed alarming statistics, indicating that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months alone. June 2026 witnessed a peak, with the network detecting the highest number of suspicious calls ever. As a result, a fresh alert has been issued to the public to stay vigilant.
Among the prevalent scams circulating currently are fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking fraud schemes. Fraudsters are also employing tactics such as fake tech support calls, deceptive lottery win messages, and HMRC scams that falsely claim individuals owe money or are entitled to a tax refund.
A growing concern is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pretend to be someone known to the victim to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or disclosing personal information to any unknown caller without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly utilizing convincing websites, authentic-looking messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive data.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental impact on victims. The company is dedicated to safeguarding its customers by implementing measures like blocking scam texts and flagging suspicious calls to combat scammers effectively.
Virgin Media O2 has already thwarted millions of scam attempts and urges the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. The free reporting service is accessible on all UK mobile networks and assists in analyzing scam patterns, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from potential attacks.
