Internet Service Provider Virgin Media Cracks Down on Increasing Wave of Deceptive Gambling Text Messages
In a recent announcement, Virgin Media O2, a leading telecoms provider in the UK, has urged its customers to be vigilant against a surge in SMS scams. The company has reported that over 600 million scam texts have been blocked this year, which is twice as many as the total intercepted in both 2023 and 2024 combined.
The most frequently reported scams involve fake gambling or prize messages. These texts often promise free credit on gambling sites or offer fake rewards and prizes. In both instances, individuals are urged to share sensitive personal information and may be asked to pay upfront fees under false pretenses.
Murray Mackenzie, the director of fraud prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasised the importance of reporting these messages. He explained that reporting suspicious texts or calls for free to 7726 (SPAM on a phone keypad) helps identify emerging scam trends more quickly and shut them down sooner.
Certain devices, such as newer iPhones, have a "Report Junk" option for messages from unknown senders. This feature allows customers to easily flag these messages, which are then analysed to improve the company's scam detection tools.
Apart from gambling scams, fake parking fine scams are also prevalent. In these cases, victims receive threatening messages claiming they face hefty fines or even the loss of their driving license unless they visit a suspicious website and make an immediate payment.
Virgin Media O2 is also warning specifically about increased SMS scams related to job offers. Scammers pretend to recruit for high-paying roles that don't exist or claim victims are owed compensation for car finance. In both instances, individuals are tricked into sharing personal and banking details under the pretense of claiming their prize.
One of the second most common scams currently circulating is the "Hi Mum / Hi Dad" tactic, where fraudsters impersonate a distressed child contacting a parent from an unfamiliar number, eventually asking for money to be transferred.
To combat these scams, Virgin Media O2's tools, powered by machine learning, continuously adapt to recognise new patterns and prevent more fraudulent messages from reaching customers. The company encourages all UK customers to stay vigilant and report any suspicious messages or calls to help keep their community safe.
