Virgin Media O2 users are being urged to stay vigilant as the company issues a warning about a new email scam circulating in the UK. The fraudulent emails are targeting individuals affected by the recent closure of O2’s outdated 3G mobile platform, which was discontinued earlier this year.

While most O2 customers have smoothly transitioned to faster 4G and 5G services, cybercriminals are seeking to exploit the situation. The scammers are sending deceptive emails claiming to be from Virgin Media O2, stating that a SIM card upgrade is necessary due to the 3G shutdown.

Customers are advised to be cautious and watch for suspicious emails. The misleading email, with official branding, prompts recipients to switch to a new 5G SIM for improved network performance.

Virgin Media O2 emphasizes that these emails are not legitimate and should be ignored. Recipients are warned not to click on any links, respond to the emails, but instead delete them immediately. To report such phishing attempts, individuals can forward the email to phishing@virginmediao2.co.uk.

This phishing scam poses a serious threat as criminals attempt to deceive people into disclosing sensitive personal information. In some cases, scammers may even send a SIM card via courier and request recipients to activate it using a provided PIN. The fraudulent email also includes instructions to log in to the O2 app with a given password and a “Contact Us” button that could lead victims directly to the scammers.

If successful, these scammers could gain access to personal accounts and potentially carry out identity theft or financial fraud. Therefore, it is crucial to verify the authenticity of emails from service providers and refrain from taking any action without confirming the legitimacy of the communication. If in doubt, contacting the company directly through official channels is recommended to ensure online safety and security.