Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in sophisticated scams targets mobile devices, computers, and tablets nationwide.
Virgin Media O2’s team highlights the continuous increase in cyber fraud, emphasizing the risk of personal data theft and financial loss to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index reports that approximately 18 million UK adults have fallen victim to scammers in the past three months alone. June 2026 marked a peak in suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a renewed call for public vigilance.
Common scams circulating currently include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Additionally, criminals are employing tactics such as bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams demanding money or promising tax refunds.
An emerging threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pose as known individuals to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal details with unfamiliar contacts without verifying their identity.
Scammers increasingly rely on authentic-looking websites, convincing messages, and a sense of urgency to trick victims into clicking malicious links or disclosing sensitive information.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, stresses the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental impact on victims. The company works tirelessly to safeguard customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combatting scammers.
Virgin Media O2’s Scam Index aims to monitor threats and raise awareness about criminals’ tactics, empowering the public to recognize warning signs early. With June witnessing a surge in suspicious calls, heightened vigilance is advised.
While Virgin Media O2 has thwarted millions of scam attempts, the public is urged to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This 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.
