A significant shopping week is approaching, as Black Friday 2025 kicks off officially on November 28. While this is an exciting time for deal-seekers and thrifty shoppers, it also comes with heightened risks for consumers. Cybercriminals often exploit the Black Friday frenzy to perpetrate scams through convincing text messages.
One prevalent threat during this period is delivery scams. With the surge in online orders, many individuals may forget their purchases, making them susceptible to fake “missed delivery” or shopping-related messages sent by scammers.
To safeguard consumers, O2 has issued a crucial warning, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant.
Highlighting the issue, O2 pointed out that a quarter of Brits (25%) admit to occasionally forgetting their purchases until they are delivered. This forgetfulness makes individuals more susceptible to falling for delivery scam texts, a vulnerability that scammers aim to exploit.
As a proactive measure, Virgin Media O2 has implemented advanced AI and firewall technology to intercept scam calls and texts. The company has successfully blocked hundreds of millions of scam messages this year, including fake delivery notifications.
For those concerned about falling victim to these scams, O2 has shared five practical tips to enhance protection:
1. Keep a record of your orders to easily identify any discrepancies.
2. Verify suspicious links before clicking on them to avoid phishing scams.
3. Exercise caution with urgent payment requests, especially if they demand immediate action to avoid delivery issues.
4. Scrutinize the sender details of messages, particularly if they come from unfamiliar or non-UK numbers.
5. Be wary of vague messages that lack specific details about your orders, as they may be attempts to deceive.
Discussing the current threat landscape, James Harwood, Fraud Prevention Strategy Lead at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the need for vigilance during Black Friday. He advised consumers not to fall prey to fraudsters and to report any suspicious activity promptly to prevent becoming victims of scams.
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