Overview

• O2 says the wave of fraudulent texts is targeting its 23 million customers, with a rapid increase reported this year.
• It highlights five frequent lures: family impersonation texts, fake prizes or gambling credits, bogus parking fines, recruitment offers, and car‑finance compensation claims.
• The 'Hi mum' or 'Hi dad' tactic preys on trust by posing as a relative in distress and has led to victims losing thousands of pounds.
• Customers are advised to avoid clicking links, not share personal information, ignore unsolicited messages, and forward suspicious texts to 7726 for investigation.
• Virgin Media O2 warns criminals are adapting to trending news and vulnerable groups, and Ofcom data shows suspicious texts reach over half of UK mobile users.