Virgin Media O2 has issued a warning to all UK mobile users about a surge in fraudulent text messages, particularly those related to the 'ECO4' energy efficiency grant scheme. These messages falsely promise free home upgrades but are designed to steal personal and payment details.
The company reports that these energy scams have become the fourth most common type of fraudulent text blocked on its network. Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, stated: “The rise in fraudulent messages linked to government schemes designed to tackle fuel poverty shows that scammers will stop at nothing when it comes to targeting their victims.”
Other prevalent scams include the 'Hi Mum/Hi Dad' messages, where fraudsters pose as a victim's child claiming their phone is lost or stolen, and fake bank payment and package delivery texts. These scams often lead to significant financial losses.
Virgin Media O2 blocked over 89 million fraudulent texts in 2023, but some still reach customers. The company urges users to report suspicious messages by forwarding them to 7726, a free service that investigates and blocks such texts.
