Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in sophisticated scams targets smartphones, computers, and tablets nationwide. Cyber fraud is on the rise, with the potential consequences being theft of personal data and financial loss to online scammers, according to Virgin Media O2.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index confirms that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the past three months alone. June 2026 witnessed the highest number of suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a renewed call for public vigilance.
Common scams circulating currently include 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 claiming individuals either owe money or are eligible for a tax refund.
An emerging threat is the well-known “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pretend to be familiar contacts to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal information with unknown individuals without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using authentic-looking websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce 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 impact on victims. The company works tirelessly to safeguard customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combating scammers.
Virgin Media O2 has thwarted millions of scam attempts and encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. The reporting service is available on all UK mobile networks and assists in analyzing scam activity, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking systems to bolster protection against future attacks.