Britons are being cautioned to remain watchful as a surge in advanced scams is targeting phones, computers, and tablets nationwide. Cyber fraud is on the rise, posing risks of personal data theft and financial losses to online scammers, according to Virgin Media O2.
Recent data from the telecom company’s Scam Index indicates that approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the last three months. June 2026 witnessed a spike in suspicious calls, urging the public to stay alert.
Common scams include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Additionally, criminals are employing tactics like bogus tech support calls, phony lottery win messages, and HMRC scams demanding money or promising tax refunds.
A concerning trend is the rise of the “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters impersonate known individuals to request urgent financial assistance. Virgin Media O2 advises against sharing personal information or sending money to unfamiliar numbers without confirming the sender’s identity.
Scammers are using convincing websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to manipulate victims into clicking 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.
Virgin Media O2 has taken measures to block millions of scam attempts and urges the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. This reporting service, available on all UK mobile networks, aids in analyzing scam activities, identifying new fraud patterns, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking systems to safeguard more individuals from future attacks.