O2 UK Warns Mobile Customers Over New Inactive SIM Scam

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has warned customers that fraudsters are using a “new” phishing tactic to steal their private personal and security details (i.e. granting them access to their MyO2 accounts), which involves criminals posing as the telecoms company while claiming that the customers’ SIM cards are about to expire.

The operator’s customers are being sent messages that falsely claim to be from O2, which often contain content like this: “O2UK: IMPORTANT: Your SIM Card(s) will be inactive on XX/XX/2026, because you have NOT signed our Terms and Conditions. Logon to sign.”

Customers that click the link are then directed to a fake but authentic looking O2 site, where they’re asked to ‘login’ in order to accept new Terms and Conditions (T&Cs). The fraudsters can then steal the login details of those who make the mistake of falling for it, which enables them to take over your MyO2 account.

O2 has already blocked over 1 billion scam messages from reaching customers to date, including thousands of messages linked to this latest scam. The telecoms company has also taken action to block customers from visiting known fraudulent URLs on both the O2 and Virgin Media networks. But scammers are constantly evolving their tactics and creating new websites and messages to target victims.

The operator is once again encouraging consumers to remain vigilant and to report suspicious messages to the 7726 service (many modern Smartphones will have a button to help you do this). These reports are used by the telecoms companies to investigate and block mobile numbers used by fraudsters, so help to refine their blocking services. This makes it easier to identify new trends and block messages faster.

Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, said:

“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.”

At Virgin Media O2, we’re doing all we can to help Brits swerve the scammers, from blocking scam texts and malicious websites to rolling out enhanced fraud monitoring on online accounts. Every report to 7726 helps us act faster to shut down scams at source, so we’re urging everyone to play their part and forward suspicious messages.”

VMO2’s Scam Advice

• O2 is not contacting any customers via text asking them to sign updated Terms and Conditions or face their SIM being deactivated – messages like this are a scam
• Be wary of threatening or urgent language designed to pressure you into acting quickly
• If you receive any messages from a number you don’t recognise, be cautious as it could be a scam. On many popular smartphones, genuine messages from O2 will appear under a verified ‘O2’ contact rather than a standard mobile number.
• Never click a link in an unexpected message. Instead, go directly to the MyO2 app or call 202 on an O2 device to check if what you’re being asked to do is legitimate
• Report suspicious messages to 7726
• If you think you may have clicked on a suspicious link and entered your login details, change your password immediately.