Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers, and tablets across the UK. Cyber fraud is on the rise, with the potential for personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
Virgin Media O2 has revealed through its latest Scam Index 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 include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Fraudsters are also employing tactics such as fake tech support calls, phony lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming money owed or a tax refund due.
An emerging threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where scammers pretend to be someone known to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal details with unknown contacts without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using convincing websites, realistic messages, and creating a false sense of urgency to manipulate 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 effects on victims. The company is actively working to protect customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combatting scammers.
Virgin Media O2 reports having thwarted millions of scam attempts and encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This free reporting service is accessible on all UK mobile networks and aids in analyzing scam activity, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and strengthening blocking systems to safeguard more individuals from future attacks.