Black Friday 2025 is set to kick off on Friday, November 28, marking the start of a significant shopping week. While this annual event attracts bargain hunters and thrifty shoppers, it also poses increased risks for consumers. Cybercriminals seize the Black Friday frenzy to perpetrate scams, including sending deceptive text messages in attempts to deceive individuals.
One prevalent threat during this period is delivery scams. With the surge in online orders, it’s common for people to lose track of their purchases, providing scammers with opportunities to send fake messages related to missed deliveries or shopping orders.
To safeguard consumers, O2 has issued a vital caution, urging everyone to remain vigilant. The company highlighted that a substantial portion of Brits admit to often forgetting their purchases until they arrive, making them susceptible to believing fraudulent delivery scam texts.
In efforts to enhance security, Virgin Media O2 has implemented advanced AI and firewall technology to block scam calls and texts. The company reported successfully intercepting hundreds of millions of scam messages this year, including numerous counterfeit delivery notifications.
For those concerned about falling victim to these scams, O2 has shared five essential tips to help individuals protect themselves. These include tracking orders diligently, scrutinizing suspicious links before clicking, being wary of urgent payment requests, verifying sender details, and exercising caution with vague messages.
James Harwood, Fraud Prevention Strategy Lead at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the importance of staying alert during Black Friday to avoid falling prey to fraud. He urged consumers not to click on suspicious messages and instead report them to 7726 for investigation, as scammers tend to exploit the busy shopping period to carry out their fraudulent activities.