An urgent warning has been issued to iPhone and Android users by O2, urging them to be cautious following the discovery of a concerning new scam targeting individuals in the UK.
The fraudulent message being circulated to devices informs customers that their SIM cards are on the verge of deactivation due to their alleged failure to accept updated Terms and Conditions. The scam employs urgent language, such as IMPORTANT and NOT, and appears to originate from an official O2 number, enhancing its credibility and making it harder to distinguish as fraudulent.
For those with O2 SIM cards, it is crucial to remain vigilant. The message states, “O2UK: IMPORTANT: Your SIM Card(s) will be inactive on 04/06/2026, because you have NOT signed our Terms and Conditions. Logon to sign.”
In addition to the deactivation threat, the message includes a link that redirects recipients to a counterfeit website designed to obtain personal information. Scammers may then attempt to access MyO2 accounts and utilize stolen passwords to breach other online accounts.
Individuals who receive messages claiming their O2 SIM cards are about to expire are advised not to click on any embedded links. Instead, they should access their accounts via the official O2 website or app, or directly contact the network to verify the message’s authenticity.
Murray Mackenzie, the Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, cautioned that scammers are evolving their tactics to be more sophisticated and convincing.
“Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using increasingly believable and urgent requests to target victims alongside convincing fake websites, demonstrating just how clever their tactics can be,” Mackenzie stated.
Virgin Media O2 is actively engaged in assisting the public in avoiding scams, including blocking scam texts and malicious websites, as well as enhancing fraud monitoring on online accounts. Reporting suspicious messages to 7726 enables prompt action to shut down scams at the source, underscoring the importance of collective effort in combating fraudulent activities.
O2 has shared guidelines to help customers safeguard themselves:
– O2 does not dispatch texts requesting customers to accept new Terms and Conditions or threatening SIM deactivation. Such messages are fraudulent.
– Exercise caution with messages using urgent or threatening language aimed at coercing rapid responses.
– Be wary of unexpected messages from unfamiliar numbers. Legitimate O2 messages typically display under a verified “O2” sender name rather than a standard mobile number.
– Refrain from clicking on links in unsolicited texts. Instead, access the MyO2 app directly or dial 202 from an O2 phone to verify the legitimacy of requests.
– If you have inadvertently clicked on a suspicious link and disclosed your login credentials, promptly change your password to secure your account.