As Black Friday 2025 approaches on November 28, shoppers are gearing up for a week of major discounts and deals. While the sales offer great opportunities for savings, consumers need to be extra cautious during this time as cybercriminals often exploit the shopping frenzy to carry out scams.
One prevalent threat to watch out for is delivery scams. With the high volume of online orders, it’s easy to overlook purchases, making it easier for scammers to send fake messages about missed deliveries or shopping-related issues.
In response to these risks, O2 has issued a significant warning, advising consumers to remain vigilant. The telecom company highlighted that a quarter of Brits confess to forgetting their purchases until they arrive, making them more susceptible to falling for delivery scam texts.
To enhance customer safety, Virgin Media O2 has implemented advanced AI and firewall technologies to block fraudulent calls and texts. The company has successfully prevented hundreds of millions of scam messages this year, including numerous fake delivery notifications.
To protect yourself from potential scams, O2 has shared five useful tips:
1. Keep a record of your orders to easily identify fake confirmations.
2. Verify suspicious links before clicking, especially if they appear unusual or claim to be from popular couriers like DPD or Royal Mail.
3. Exercise caution with urgent payment requests related to parcel deliveries.
4. Scrutinize sender details, particularly if the message comes from an unfamiliar or non-UK number.
5. Be wary of vague messages lacking specific details about your orders.
James Harwood, Fraud Prevention Strategy Lead at Virgin Media O2, emphasized the importance of staying alert during Black Friday to avoid falling victim to fraud. He urged consumers to report any suspicious messages and refrain from clicking on dubious links.
As the shopping season kicks off, it’s crucial for shoppers to remain vigilant and follow these safety tips to safeguard themselves against potential scams.