Britons are being cautioned to remain watchful as a surge in sophisticated scams is targeting smartphones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s team warns that cyber fraud is escalating rapidly, with the potential for personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index confirms concerning statistics, indicating that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the past three months alone. 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. Additionally, criminals are employing tactics such as bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams to deceive victims into providing sensitive information or money.
A growing concern is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pose as known individuals to solicit urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or disclosing personal information to unknown contacts without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using convincing websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking on malicious links or divulging 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 is dedicated to safeguarding customers by blocking scam texts, identifying suspicious calls, and taking action against scammers.
Virgin Media O2 has thwarted millions of scam attempts and 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, detecting new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking systems to shield more individuals from future attacks.