Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in sophisticated scams is targeting phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s team reports that cyber fraud is on the rise at a concerning pace, with the risk of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
Recent statistics from the telecom company’s Scam Index show that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months alone. June 2026 saw the highest number of suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a fresh alert for the public to stay vigilant.
The prevalent scams include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking fraud. Criminals are also employing tactics such as fake tech support calls, phony lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming individuals owe money or are entitled to a tax refund.
An emerging threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pretend to be someone known to request immediate financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal details with unknown numbers without verifying their authenticity.
Scammers are increasingly using authentic-looking websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking on malicious links or divulging sensitive information.
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 protecting customers by proactively blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and enhancing scam prevention measures.
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 reporting service, available across all UK mobile networks, aids in analyzing scam patterns, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking mechanisms to safeguard more individuals from future attacks.