Britons are being cautioned to stay on high alert as an increase in sophisticated scams is targeting electronic devices such as phones, computers, and tablets nationwide.
Virgin Media O2’s team has highlighted the escalating trend of cyber fraud, emphasizing the risks of falling victim to these scams, which can result in personal information theft and financial losses to online criminals.
The telecom company’s recent Scam Index has revealed concerning statistics, showing that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months alone. June 2026 marked a particularly troublesome period, with the network detecting the highest volume of suspicious calls ever recorded, prompting a fresh advisory for the public to remain vigilant.
Notable scams currently in circulation include deceptive parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension warnings, and banking-related fraud. Fraudsters are also employing tactics such as fake tech support calls, phony lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming individuals either owe money or are entitled to a tax refund.
Another emerging threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where scammers pretend to be familiar contacts to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 recommends refraining from sending money or sharing personal details with unknown individuals contacting you from unfamiliar numbers without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly utilizing authentic-looking websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive information.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental impact on victims. The company is actively working to safeguard customers by intercepting scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and implementing measures to thwart scammers.
The new Scam Index will monitor threats and enhance public awareness of criminals’ tactics to enable individuals to recognize warning signs before falling prey. Given the surge in suspicious calls in June, the public is advised to remain extra vigilant.
Virgin Media O2 has intercepted millions of scam attempts and encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726.
The free 7726 reporting service is accessible on all UK mobile networks. Reports aid Virgin Media O2 in analyzing scam patterns, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing its blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from future attacks.