Virgin Media O2 users are being warned of a concerning new scam that is on the rise. The telecommunications company has issued an alert after detecting a significant increase in the targeting of individuals with fake call center numbers generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Reports indicate that millions of people may have already fallen victim to calling these fraudulent numbers, which ultimately connect them to cybercriminals aiming to steal personal information, such as banking details.
It is estimated that approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered fake customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools.
Virgin Media has highlighted that criminals are taking advantage of AI-powered technologies to present consumers with fake contact information for trusted brands, leading to data theft and fraudulent activities.
With the growing reliance on AI-generated search results, individuals are at risk of unknowingly engaging with malicious actors. Virgin Media advises customers to only use authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, apps, or billing statements.
To contact O2, users should call 202 from an O2 device, while Virgin Media customers can reach out by dialing 150 from a landline. Additionally, individuals are urged to exercise caution when dealing with numbers obtained from search engines, social media, or AI tools.
A crucial piece of advice is to refrain from sharing security codes or personal information with unsolicited callers, regardless of their claimed identity.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the risks posed by AI tools that enable fraudsters to create convincing fake numbers, potentially leading individuals to contact criminals instead of legitimate service providers.
Virgin Media O2 is actively combating scams by blocking known fraudulent numbers on its network and leveraging AI to flag over 1 billion suspicious calls. The public is encouraged to assist in safeguarding others by reporting suspicious numbers to 7726 for prompt action against scams.
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