Britons are being urged to remain cautious as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK. Virgin Media O2’s team highlights the escalating trend of cyber fraud, emphasizing the risks of falling victim to scams, which can result in personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index reports that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the past three months alone. June 2026 marked a particularly concerning period, with the network detecting the highest number of suspicious calls ever recorded. Consequently, the public is advised to stay vigilant in light of these findings.
Common scams circulating currently 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, deceptive lottery win messages, and HMRC scams that either claim individuals owe money or are eligible for a tax refund.
An emerging threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where scammers pretend to be someone known to the victim to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 warns against sending money or divulging personal information to individuals contacting you from unfamiliar numbers without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using authentic-looking websites, persuasive messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive details. Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasizes the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental impact on victims, stressing the company’s commitment to safeguarding customers from scams.
Virgin Media O2 has already thwarted millions of scam attempts and urges the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This free reporting service, available on all UK mobile networks, assists in analyzing scam patterns, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from potential attacks.