O2 customers are being warned about a new phishing scam targeting the telecoms company's 22 million UK subscribers. The scam involves fraudsters posing as O2 and claiming that customers' SIM cards are about to expire. Victims are directed to a fake O2 website where they are asked to log in and accept new terms and conditions. The goal is to steal login credentials and take over MyO2 accounts.
How the Scam Works
The scam message may appear legitimate but is designed to capture usernames and passwords. An example message reads: "O2UK: IMPORTANT: Your SIM Card(s) will be inactive on 04/06/2026, because you have NOT signed our Terms and Conditions. Logon to sign." O2 has blocked over 1 billion scam messages to date, including thousands linked to this latest threat. The company has also blocked access to known fraudulent URLs on both O2 and Virgin Media networks.
What O2 Advises
O2 is urging customers to remain vigilant and report suspicious messages to 7726. These reports help the company investigate and block fraudulent numbers. The warning comes as Virgin Media O2, alongside other networks and the government, discusses collaborative efforts to combat fraud.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, said: "Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using increasingly believable and urgent requests to target victims alongside convincing fake websites. Every report to 7726 helps us act faster to shut down scams at source."
Key Advice for Customers
- O2 will never text customers asking them to sign updated terms or face SIM deactivation. Such messages are scams.
- Be wary of threatening or urgent language designed to pressure you into acting quickly.
- If you receive a message from an unknown number, be cautious. Genuine O2 messages appear under a verified 'O2' contact.
- Never click a link in an unexpected message. Instead, go directly to the MyO2 app or call 202 on an O2 device.
- Report suspicious messages to 7726.
- If you clicked a suspicious link and entered your login details, change your password immediately.
For more information on protecting against scams, visit the UK Government's Stop Think Fraud campaign.
