Britons are being warned to stay on high alert as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers, and tablets across the UK.
Recent data from Virgin Media O2 reveals that cyber fraud is on the rise, posing risks of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers. The telecom company’s latest Scam Index indicates 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 caution for the public to remain vigilant.
The prevalent scams 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 money owed or tax refunds due.
A growing concern is the infamous “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 details with individuals contacting from unfamiliar numbers without verifying their identity.
Scammers are resorting to convincing websites, realistic messages, and urgency tactics to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive information.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, stressed the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental impact on victims. The company works tirelessly to protect customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combating scammers.
Virgin Media O2 encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This reporting service, available on all UK mobile networks, aids in analyzing scam activities, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking systems to safeguard more individuals from potential attacks.
