Virgin Media O2 users are being warned about a concerning new scam that is on the rise. The telecommunications company has raised an alert after observing a significant increase in fake call center numbers generated by artificial intelligence (AI) targeting individuals.
It has been reported that millions of people may have already fallen victim to dialing these fraudulent numbers, connecting them to cybercriminals aiming to steal sensitive information such as banking details.
Statistics suggest that approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered fake customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools, as per the company’s findings.
Virgin Media has highlighted that criminals are leveraging AI-powered technology to display fake contact information, websites, and search results to deceive consumers seeking to reach trusted brands, leading to data theft and fraudulent activities.
As individuals increasingly rely on AI-generated search results rather than directly visiting websites, hackers exploit this trend to ensnare unsuspecting users.
To combat this scam, Virgin advises customers to only use genuine service numbers provided on official company websites, applications, or bills. For direct contact with O2, it is recommended to dial 202 from an O2 device, while for Virgin Media, dialing 150 from a landline is the fastest way to reach them.
Furthermore, caution is advised when dealing with numbers obtained from search engines, social media posts, or AI tools, and consumers are urged not to disclose security codes or personal information to unverified callers, regardless of their claims.
Murray Mackenzie, the Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the risks posed by AI tools enabling fraudsters to present realistic-looking fake numbers through search results or chatbots, putting individuals at risk of falling prey to criminals.
Virgin Media O2 is taking proactive measures to safeguard its customers by blocking known scammer numbers on the network and utilizing AI to flag over 1 billion suspicious calls. The company encourages the public to report suspicious numbers to 7726 to expedite the shutdown of scams in the future, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in combatting fraudulent activities.