Virgin Media O2 users are being warned about a surge in a concerning new scam. The telecommunications company has raised an alert after noticing a significant increase in individuals falling prey to fake call center numbers facilitated by artificial intelligence.
Reports suggest that millions may have already been deceived into dialing numbers that lead them to cybercriminals aiming to steal personal information, including sensitive banking details.
Approximately 13% of UK consumers have reportedly encountered bogus customer service numbers via search engines or AI tools, as per the company’s findings.
Virgin Media has stated that criminals are leveraging AI-powered tools to display counterfeit phone numbers, websites, and search results to consumers seeking to contact reputable brands. These deceptive tactics are used to gather data and carry out fraudulent activities.
With the reliance on AI-generated search results growing, many people trust these results over traditional web pages, providing hackers with an ideal opportunity to ensnare unsuspecting individuals.
To stay safe, Virgin advises customers to only utilize authentic service numbers listed on official company websites, applications, or bills. For those needing to contact O2, dialing 202 from an O2 device is the quickest method, while for Virgin Media, it’s 150 from a landline.
It’s crucial to exercise caution when encountering numbers from search engines, social media posts, or AI tools. Additionally, it is strongly advised not to disclose security codes or personal information to unsolicited callers, regardless of their claimed identity.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the risk posed by AI tools that enable fraudsters to create realistic-looking fake numbers through search results or chatbots, potentially leading individuals to criminal entities rather than legitimate service providers.
Virgin Media O2 is actively combating these scams by blocking known fraudulent numbers on the network and flagging over 1 billion suspicious calls using AI technology. To further enhance security, the public is encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726 to expedite the shutdown of scams in the future.