Virgin Media O2 users are being warned about a concerning new scam that has been on the rise. The telecoms company has issued an alert after noticing a significant increase in the number of individuals targeted by fake call center numbers generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Reportedly, millions of people may have already fallen victim to calling these fraudulent numbers, connecting them to cybercriminals attempting to steal sensitive information, such as banking details.
Approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered fake customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools, according to Virgin Media. Criminals are taking advantage of AI technology to display counterfeit contact information for well-known brands, deceiving consumers and extracting personal data for fraudulent activities.
As more individuals rely on AI-generated search results for information, hackers are exploiting this trust to set traps for unsuspecting users. Virgin Media advises customers to only use authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, apps, or billing statements to avoid falling prey to such scams.
For those seeking assistance from O2, the recommended contact method is dialing 202 from an O2 device, while Virgin Media customers are advised to call 150 from a landline. It is also crucial to exercise caution when encountering numbers from search engine results, social media posts, or AI tools.
Moreover, individuals are urged not to divulge security codes or personal information to unsolicited callers, regardless of their claimed identity. Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, highlighted the risks posed by AI tools enabling fraudsters to present authentic-looking fake numbers through various platforms, putting individuals at risk of falling victim to scams.
Virgin Media O2 is actively taking measures to safeguard customers by blocking known scammer numbers on its network and utilizing AI to flag over 1 billion suspicious calls to date. To combat scammers exploiting new avenues to target victims, the public is encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726, facilitating the prompt shutdown of scams in the future.
