Virgin Media O2 users are being warned to remain vigilant as a concerning new scam tactic has been identified. The telecommunications company has raised an alarm following a significant increase in individuals falling victim to fraudulent call center numbers supplied by artificial intelligence (AI).
Reports indicate that millions of individuals may have unknowingly dialed these fake numbers, leading them to cybercriminals who attempt to steal sensitive information, such as banking details.
Approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered bogus customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools, as per Virgin Media. The company explained that criminals are leveraging AI-powered technologies to display fake phone numbers, websites, and search results to deceive consumers and carry out fraudulent activities.
With the growing reliance on AI-generated search results for information, hackers are finding an ideal opportunity to deceive unsuspecting victims. To combat this threat, Virgin Media advises its customers to only use authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, apps, or billing statements.
For those needing assistance from O2, dialing 202 from an O2 device is the quickest way, while contacting Virgin Media can be done by calling 150 from a landline. It is also essential to exercise caution when encountering numbers from search engines, social media posts, or AI tools.
Furthermore, individuals are urged not to disclose security codes or personal information to unsolicited callers, regardless of who they claim to represent. Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, highlighted that fraudsters exploit the urgency of people seeking quick solutions by using AI tools to present authentic-looking fake numbers through search results or chatbots, putting individuals at risk.
Virgin Media O2 is actively combatting scams by blocking known fraudulent numbers on their network and utilizing AI to flag over 1 billion suspicious calls to date. To enhance safety measures, everyone is encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726, aiding in the swift shutdown of scams in the future.