After analysing and blocking tens of millions of malicious and fraudulent text messages targeting its customers, Virgin Media O2 has shared the most common spam text trends to help warn customers what to look out for and avoid.
They have identified the top five most common fraud texts, with criminals posing as someone’s parent being the most prevalent. Overall, these top five types of scam texts account for over 95% of all scam messages.
If you receive a suspicious text, you can report it to your operator by forwarding it to 7726, or to Action Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland via 101 if you’re in Scotland.
Liam Rawsthorne, Head of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, said:
“We’re working relentlessly to stop fraudsters in their tracks, helping keep our customers safer by blocking millions of spam texts and calls every month. The five most common texts blocked on our network show just how sophisticated scammers are, with these criminals always looking for new ways to reach their victim by posing as the people and businesses we trust.”
1. Hi Mum/Dad Texts
Example texts blocked:
- “Hey mum I’ve smashed my phone, please message me on this number [NUMBER] urgently x I’m texting of a friends phone.”
- “Hi Mum I’m texting you off a friends phone I’ve smashed mine and their phones about to die, can you message my new number asap it’s [NUMBER] x”
- “Hi mum I had an incident today and my phones broken. please message me on this number on [NUMBER] when you get this. Urgently xx’
- “Hi Dad, I’ve got a new number you can delete my old one [NUMBER] Text me on it please”
2. Fake delivery texts
Example texts blocked:
- “Evri: Your order 2A728GB is waiting at your Iocal depot, as nobody answered. To book a sIot, visit: hxxp://evri-local-depot.com/arrange”
- “RoyaIMaiI: Sorry we missed you today, Your package has been placed on hold, Your able to select a delivery date, via: hxxp://redeliver-uk.com”
- “DPD: Your package DPD89731002 has a £2.99 unpaid shipping fee, to pay this now please visit: hxxp://uk.mydpdtrackdelivered.online/”
3. Banking transactions or payment issues texts
Example texts blocked:
- “SatanderSecure: NEVER share this code, even with staff. OTP 935013 for transaction of £485.99 to Argos. Please call [NUMBER] if this was not you”
- “Your Apple Pay has been suspended due to suspicious transactions please visit hxxp://Securityauthentication.net to restore it”
- “LIoyds: We have successfully received your request to add a (payee) on 27/03. If this was not you contact us immediately on [NUMBER]”
4. Crypto or investing schemes texts
Example text blocked
- “Get Smarter with CGPTB – the AI-powered tradobot that delivers real-time insights and automated trade alerts. For info. hxxp://6clicke.com/”
- “Invite you to join the (BTC/ETH) discussion group to teach you how to earn 1000-5000USDT in the encryption market. Click to join hxxp://t.ly/HAQ2o”
- “Quant-AI invites you to achieve financial freedom on autopilot. Don’t miss your rare spot. Make 509 GBP Daily hxxp://acsu.site/eqomj STOP to: 54857”
5. Dodgy debt write off texts
Example texts blocked:
- “Khuram Send 6, you are eligible to use a government write-off program to pay off your debt. Click on hxxps://www.debtresolve.co.uk for FREE pack to BL2 3DG”
- “Adrian , Records show you can write off up to 75% of your Debts. Freeze Interest/Legal Action. Click on hxxps://www.debtresolve.co.uk for FREE pack to L66BY”
- “New Law means you can now write off debts your struggling to repay. Freeze Interest/Fees to Apply reply YES”
Last year, Virgin Media O2 prevented more than £70 million worth of fraud, including through introducing additional security measures to stop online scammers conning victims out of high-end handsets.
Scam messages are like weeds in a garden, sprouting up wherever they can find a crack to infiltrate. They come in different shapes and sizes, each one more deceiving than the last. It’s enough to make anyone paranoid about their phone notifications.
Remember, prevention is better than cure, so be vigilant and always double-check the authenticity of a message before engaging with it. Don’t let the scammers win.
