Britons are being cautioned to stay on high alert as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers, and tablets across the UK. Cyber fraud is escalating rapidly, posing risks of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers, as highlighted by Virgin Media O2.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index has revealed concerning statistics, indicating that approximately 18 million UK adults have fallen victim to scammers in the past three months alone. June 2026 recorded the highest number of suspicious calls ever detected by the network, prompting a fresh advisory for the public to remain vigilant.
Noteworthy scams currently in circulation encompass 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 that either demand money or promise tax refunds.
A rising threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pretend to be someone known to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or divulging personal information to individuals contacting you from unfamiliar numbers without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly utilizing convincing websites, authentic-looking messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive details.
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 dedicated to safeguarding customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and intensifying efforts to thwart scammers.
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, aids in analyzing scam activities, uncovering new fraud patterns, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from future attacks.