Virgin Media O2 users are being warned about a concerning new scam that is on the rise. The telecommunications company has raised an alert due to a significant increase in individuals falling victim to fraudulent call center numbers generated by artificial intelligence.

Millions of people may have already been deceived into dialing numbers that lead them to cybercriminals attempting to steal personal information, such as banking details, as per the company’s statement. Reportedly, about 13% of UK consumers have encountered fake customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools.

Virgin Media explained that criminals are taking advantage of AI-powered tools to display fake phone numbers, websites, and search results to consumers seeking to contact reputable brands. This tactic is used to obtain personal data and commit fraudulent activities.

With more reliance on AI-generated results for information searches, individuals are inadvertently falling into hackers’ traps. Virgin Media emphasizes the importance of using only authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, apps, or bills.

For those needing to contact O2, dialing 202 from an O2 device is the quickest method, while for Virgin Media, dialing 150 from a landline is recommended. Additionally, caution is advised when encountering numbers from search engines, social media posts, or AI tools.

Furthermore, individuals should never disclose security codes or personal details to unsolicited callers, regardless of their claimed identity. Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, noted that fraudsters exploit the urgency of people seeking quick assistance by creating realistic-looking fake numbers through search results or chatbots.

Virgin Media O2 is actively taking measures to safeguard customers by blocking known scammer numbers on the network and utilizing AI to identify over 1 billion suspicious calls to date. To combat scams effectively, the public is encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726 for prompt action.

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