Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers, and tablets throughout the UK. Cyber fraud is on the rise, posing risks of personal data theft and financial losses 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 last three months. June 2026 saw a peak in suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a fresh warning for the public to stay vigilant.
Current prevalent scams include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Criminals are also employing tactics such as bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming individuals owe money or are eligible for a tax refund.
A growing concern 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 verifying their identity.
Scammers are increasingly using convincing websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to pressure victims into clicking on malicious links or divulging sensitive details.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, highlighted the evolving nature of fraud and its detrimental effects on victims. The company is actively working to protect customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combating scammers.
Virgin Media O2 has already thwarted numerous scam attempts and encourages the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. The free reporting service, available on all UK mobile networks, aids in analyzing scam activities, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking systems to safeguard more individuals from future attacks.