Britons are being cautioned to remain vigilant against a surge in sophisticated scams targeting phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK.
According to the experts at Virgin Media O2, cyber fraud is on the rise at an alarming pace, with the risk of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers.
The telecom company’s latest Scam Index confirms that approximately 18 million UK adults have been preyed upon by scammers in the last three months alone. June 2026 saw a peak in suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a fresh alert for the public to stay on guard.
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, phony lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming individuals owe money or are eligible for a tax refund.
An escalating threat is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where scammers pose as known contacts to solicit urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sending money or sharing personal information with unknown callers without verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using authentic-looking websites, convincing messages, and a 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, stated, “We witness firsthand the evolving nature of fraud and its devastating impact on victims. We are dedicated to safeguarding our customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and taking measures to thwart scammers.”
He further added, “Our new Scam Index will monitor the threat landscape and enhance awareness of the tactics employed by criminals, enabling the public to identify warning signs in time. With June marking a record month for suspicious calls, heightened alertness is crucial.”
Virgin Media O2 highlighted that they have thwarted millions of scam attempts and urge the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726.
The free 7726 reporting service is accessible on all UK mobile networks. Reports aid Virgin Media O2 in analyzing scam patterns, recognizing new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing their blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from future attacks.