Virgin Media O2 users are being cautioned to remain vigilant as a concerning new scam emerges. The telecoms company has issued a warning following a significant increase in the targeting of individuals with fake call center numbers generated by artificial intelligence.
Reports suggest that millions may have already fallen victim to calling numbers that lead them to cybercriminals seeking to steal personal information, such as banking details.
Recent findings indicate that approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered counterfeit customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools.
Virgin Media explained that criminals are leveraging AI-driven tools to display fake phone numbers, websites, and search results to deceive consumers into divulging sensitive data for fraudulent activities.
With the reliance on AI-generated search results growing, hackers have found a prime opportunity to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
To safeguard against such scams, Virgin advises customers to only use authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, apps, or bills. For contacting O2, dial 202 from an O2 device, and for Virgin Media, call 150 from a landline.
Exercise caution when encountering numbers from search engines, social media, or AI tools, and never disclose security codes or personal details to unsolicited callers, regardless of their claimed identity.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the risks posed by AI tools enabling fraudsters to present realistic-looking fake numbers, urging vigilance from the public. The company is actively blocking known scammer numbers and using AI to flag over 1 billion suspicious calls so far. To combat scams effectively, individuals are encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726 for prompt intervention.
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