TechnologyVirgin Media Inc.Virgin Media O2 has just confirmed that scams are on the rise with users now urged to text 7726 if they spot anything suspicious.07:48, 19 Jul 2026Britons are being urged to stay vigilant as a surge in sophisticated scams targets phones, computers and tablets across the UK.‌According to the team at Virgin Media O2, cyber fraud continues to rise at an alarming rate and getting caught out could lead to personal data being stolen and money lost to online crooks.‌The alarming stats have been confirmed via the telecom company's latest Scam Index, which reveals that around 18 million UK adults have been targeted by scammers in the past three months alone. June 2026 was also a bad month, with the highest number of suspicious calls ever detected by the network. That's prompted a fresh warning for the public to remain alert.‌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 either owe money or are due a tax refund.Another growing threat is the infamous "friends and family" impersonation scam, where fraudsters pose as someone you know 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."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.Article continues below"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.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Virgin Media Inc.Crime