Britons are being cautioned to remain alert as a surge in sophisticated scams targets electronic devices nationwide in the UK. Cyber fraud is on the rise, posing risks of personal data theft and financial loss to online scammers, as highlighted by Virgin Media O2.

The telecom company’s latest Scam Index reports that approximately 18 million UK adults have fallen victim to scammers in the past three months. June 2026 recorded the highest number of suspicious calls detected by the network, prompting a fresh advisory for the public to stay vigilant.

Common scams circulating currently include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts, and banking scams. Criminals are also utilizing tactics such as bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming owed money or tax refunds.

A growing concern is the notorious “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters impersonate known individuals to solicit 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 authentic-looking websites, realistic messages, and a sense of urgency to coerce 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. The company works tirelessly to protect customers by blocking scam texts, flagging suspicious calls, and combating scammers.

Virgin Media O2 has thwarted 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 patterns, identifying new fraud trends, investigating malicious numbers, and enhancing blocking mechanisms to shield more individuals from future attacks.