Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in sophisticated scams is targeting phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
According to the experts at Virgin Media O2, cyber fraud is on the rise at a concerning pace, with the risk of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index has revealed that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months. June 2026 witnessed the highest number of suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a fresh warning for the public to stay vigilant.
Common scams currently in circulation include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Scammers are also employing tactics such as bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming individuals owe money or are entitled to a tax refund.
An emerging 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 sharing personal information with unknown contacts without confirming their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using authentic-looking websites, realistic messages, and a false sense of urgency to coerce victims into clicking on malicious links or divulging 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 actively working to safeguard customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combating scammers.
Virgin Media O2 has already thwarted millions of scam attempts but urges the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This free reporting service is accessible on all UK mobile networks and aids in analyzing scam activity, identifying new fraud patterns, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from future attacks.