Black Friday 2025 is set to kick off on Friday, November 28, marking the start of a significant shopping week ahead. While the annual event is a paradise for deal seekers and thrifty shoppers, it also poses an elevated risk for consumers who must remain vigilant to avoid falling into cyber traps. Cybercriminals leverage the Black Friday frenzy to deploy convincing text-message scams, with delivery scams being a major concern as scammers exploit the surge in online shopping.

To safeguard consumers, O2 has issued a strong caution, advising everyone to stay on high alert. The telecom giant highlighted that a quarter of Brits tend to forget their purchases until they are delivered, making them more susceptible to falling for delivery scam texts. To enhance security measures, Virgin Media O2 disclosed the deployment of AI and firewall technology to thwart scam calls and texts. The company reported blocking hundreds of millions of scam messages this year, including numerous phony delivery notifications.

For those worried about falling victim to scams, O2 shared five essential tips to ensure protection during the shopping frenzy:

1. Keep a record of your orders to easily identify fake confirmations.
2. Verify suspicious links before clicking, particularly those from unfamiliar sources or with odd URLs.
3. Be cautious of urgent payment requests as legitimate delivery companies do not demand immediate payments via text.
4. Scrutinize sender details, especially if messages come from unknown or non-UK numbers.
5. Exercise caution with vague messages lacking specific details about orders or origins.

James Harwood, Fraud Prevention Strategy Lead at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant during busy shopping periods to avoid falling victim to fraud. He urged consumers to report any suspicious messages instead of clicking on them to help combat scammers effectively.