Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in advanced scams targets smartphones, computers, and tablets nationwide.
Virgin Media O2’s team reports a concerning increase in cyber fraud, with the risk of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index reveals that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months. June 2026 saw the highest number of suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a fresh warning 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. Other tactics involve bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming individuals owe money or are owed a tax refund.
An escalating threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pretend to be a known person to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal information with unknown contacts without verifying their identity.
Scammers increasingly rely on authentic-looking websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or disclosing sensitive details.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental effects on victims. The company works tirelessly to safeguard customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combatting scammers.
Virgin Media O2 encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This free reporting service, available on all UK mobile networks, aids in analyzing scam activity, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking systems to shield more individuals from future attacks.
