An urgent warning has been issued to millions of iPhone and Android users by O2. The company advises customers to remain vigilant following the discovery of a concerning new scam targeting individuals in the UK.
The fraudulent message being circulated to devices alleges that customers’ SIM cards are on the verge of deactivation due to their purported failure to agree to updated Terms and Conditions. This scam is particularly deceptive as it employs urgent language such as IMPORTANT and NOT, and seems to originate from an official O2 number, making it challenging to discern as fraudulent.
For O2 SIM card holders, it is crucial to be wary of the following message: “O2UK: IMPORTANT: Your SIM Card(s) will be inactive on 04/06/2026, because you have NOT signed our Terms and Conditions. Logon to sign.” In addition to the deactivation warning, the message includes a link that directs victims to a counterfeit website aimed at stealing personal information. Scammers may utilize this information to breach MyO2 accounts and potentially access other online accounts using pilfered passwords.
Recipients of messages indicating that their O2 SIM is about to expire are advised not to click on any embedded links. Instead, they should access their account through the official O2 website or app, or reach out directly to the network to verify the authenticity of the message.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the growing sophistication of scammers. He stated, “Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using increasingly believable and urgent requests to target victims alongside convincing fake websites, demonstrating just how clever their tactics can be.”
Virgin Media O2 is actively implementing measures to shield individuals from scams, including blocking scam texts and malicious websites, as well as enhancing fraud monitoring on online accounts. Mackenzie urged the public to report suspicious messages promptly to aid in shutting down scams efficiently.
O2 has also shared essential guidance to help customers safeguard themselves:
– O2 will not send texts requesting customers to accept new Terms and Conditions or threatening SIM deactivation.
– Exercise caution with messages using urgent or threatening language to induce quick responses.
– Be wary of unexpected messages from unknown numbers; genuine O2 communications typically display under a verified “O2” sender name.
– Refrain from clicking on links in unsolicited texts; instead, verify requests by directly accessing the MyO2 app or calling 202 from an O2 phone.
– If you have unwittingly clicked on a suspicious link and shared login details, promptly change your password to secure your account.