Virgin Media O2 has issued an urgent alert urging users to text the four-digit number 7726 to report suspicious activity, as the company confirms a significant rise in scams targeting phones, computers and tablets across the UK.
Record Number of Suspicious Calls
According to Virgin Media O2's latest Scam Index, approximately 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the past three months alone. June 2026 recorded the highest number of suspicious calls ever detected by the network, prompting a fresh warning for the public to remain vigilant.
Cyber fraud continues to rise at an alarming rate, and falling victim could lead to personal data theft and financial loss. The most common scams currently circulating include fake parcel delivery notifications, online shopping fraud, account suspension alerts and banking scams. Criminals are also using bogus tech support calls, fake lottery win messages, and HMRC scams claiming victims owe money or are due a tax refund.
Impersonation Scams on the Rise
Another growing threat is the “friends and family” impersonation scam, where fraudsters pose as someone known to the victim to request urgent financial help. Virgin Media O2 advises never sending money or sharing personal information with anyone contacting you from an unfamiliar number without verifying their identity first.
Scammers are increasingly relying on convincing websites, realistic-looking messages and a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive information.
Company Response and Advice
“We see first-hand how fraud is constantly changing and the devastating impact it can have on victims,” said Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2. “We work around the clock to protect our customers, from blocking scam texts to flagging suspicious calls, and we're doing everything we can to shut out scammers. Our new Scam Index will track the threat and help raise awareness of the tactics criminals use, so the public can spot the warning signs before it's too late. With June a record month for suspicious calls, people should be on high alert.”
Virgin Media O2 says it has already blocked millions of scam attempts but is encouraging the public to report suspicious texts and calls by forwarding them to 7726. The free 7726 reporting service is available on all UK mobile networks. Reports help Virgin Media O2 analyse scam activity, identify new fraud trends, investigate malicious numbers and improve its blocking systems, helping to protect more people from future attacks.
