A significant shopping week is approaching as Black Friday 2025 kicks off on Friday, November 28. While this annual event presents great opportunities for bargain hunters and savvy shoppers, it also comes with heightened risks for consumers. Cybercriminals often exploit the Black Friday frenzy by sending deceptive text-message scams to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
One prevalent threat is delivery scams, where scammers capitalize on the high volume of online orders, sending fake “missed delivery” or shopping-related messages to unsuspecting victims.
In an effort to safeguard customers, O2 has issued a stern warning advising everyone to remain vigilant. O2 highlighted that a quarter of Brits (25%) admit to frequently forgetting their purchases until they are delivered, making them more susceptible to falling for delivery scam texts.
To enhance security measures, Virgin Media O2 now employs AI and firewall technology to intercept scam calls and texts. The company reported blocking hundreds of millions of scam messages this year, including numerous fake delivery alerts.
For those concerned about falling victim to these scams, O2 has shared five crucial tips to help individuals protect themselves during this shopping season:
1. Keep a record of your orders to easily identify fake confirmations.
2. Verify suspicious links before clicking, especially those from unfamiliar sources or with unusual URLs.
3. Exercise caution with urgent payment requests, as legitimate delivery companies do not demand immediate payments via text.
4. Scrutinize sender details, as legitimate messages from trusted couriers typically display branded names.
5. Be wary of vague messages lacking specific details about your orders or origins.
Addressing the current threat, James Harwood, Fraud Prevention Strategy Lead at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the importance of staying alert during Black Friday to avoid falling prey to fraud. He urged consumers to report any suspicious messages by contacting 7726 for investigation purposes to combat fraudulent activities during this festive shopping period.
