Britons are being advised to remain cautious as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers, and tablets across the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s team highlights the continuous increase in cyber fraud rates, emphasizing the risks of personal data theft and financial loss to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index reveals that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the past three months. June 2026 saw 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. Fraudsters are also employing tactics such as bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming owed money or tax refunds.
An emerging threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pretend to be familiar individuals to solicit urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal information with unknown contacts without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using convincing websites, authentic-looking messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive details.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasizes 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 actively combating scammers.
Virgin Media O2 encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This reporting service is free and accessible across all UK mobile networks, aiding in analyzing scam activity, identifying new fraud patterns, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from potential attacks.