Virgin Media O2 users are being warned to stay vigilant as a dangerous new scam is on the rise. The telecommunications company has raised an alarm after observing a significant increase in fake call center numbers generated by artificial intelligence (AI) targeting individuals.
Reports indicate that millions of people may have already fallen victim to calling these fraudulent numbers, connecting them to cybercriminals attempting to steal sensitive information such as bank details.
Approximately 13% of UK consumers have encountered phony customer service numbers through search engines or AI tools, as per Virgin Media. Criminals are leveraging AI tools to display fake phone numbers, websites, and search results, deceiving consumers seeking to contact reputable brands for fraudulent purposes.
With the reliance on AI-generated search results growing, hackers are exploiting this trend to deceive unsuspecting individuals. Virgin Media advises customers to solely use authentic service numbers provided on official company websites, applications, or billing statements.
For those seeking assistance from O2, dialing 202 from an O2 device is the quickest route, while contacting Virgin Media can be done by calling 150 from a landline. Caution is advised when dealing with numbers obtained from search engines, social media posts, or AI tools.
Furthermore, it is crucial never 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, emphasizes the risks posed by AI tools enabling fraudsters to present realistic fake numbers through search results or chatbots.
Virgin Media O2 is actively combatting scams by blocking known scammer numbers on their network and utilizing AI to identify over 1 billion suspicious calls. To enhance safety measures, individuals are encouraged to report suspicious numbers to 7726 for swift action against scams.
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