Britons are being warned to remain cautious as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s team highlights the continuous increase in cyber fraud, emphasizing the risks of falling victim to personal data theft and losing money to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index reveals alarming statistics, indicating that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months. June 2026 saw a peak in suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a fresh alert for the public to stay vigilant.
Common scams circulating currently include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Criminals are also employing tactics such as bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming 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 request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal information with unfamiliar contacts without verifying their identity first.
Scammers are increasingly using convincing websites, realistic messages, and creating a false sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive details.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, states, “We witness firsthand how fraud constantly evolves and the devastating impact it can have on victims. We are dedicated to safeguarding our customers, from blocking scam texts to flagging suspicious calls, and are actively working to thwart scammers.”
Virgin Media O2 has already thwarted millions of scam attempts and encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. The 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.
