As Black Friday 2025 approaches on November 28, shoppers gear up for a frenzy of deals and discounts. However, along with the excitement of savings comes the heightened risk of falling victim to cyber scams. Cybercriminals often exploit the shopping spree by sending deceptive text messages to unsuspecting consumers.
One prevalent threat is delivery scams, preying on the tendency of online shoppers to forget their purchases. Scammers capitalize on this by sending fake messages related to missed deliveries or shopping orders.
To combat these risks, O2 issues a strong warning for shoppers to remain vigilant. As millions of deal-seekers are projected to spend significantly during the Black Friday weekend, the likelihood of falling for delivery scam texts increases due to the forgetfulness of buyers.
In a bid to enhance security measures, Virgin Media O2 utilizes advanced AI and firewall technology to intercept scam calls and texts. The company reports successfully blocking hundreds of millions of scam messages this year, including numerous counterfeit delivery notifications.
For those concerned about falling victim to scams this holiday season, O2 offers five essential tips for safeguarding against fraudulent activities:
1. Keep a record of your purchases to easily identify fake confirmations.
2. Exercise caution with suspicious links before clicking, especially those from unknown sources.
3. Beware of urgent payment requests related to parcel deliveries, as legitimate companies do not demand instant payments via text.
4. Verify sender details, particularly if messages come from unfamiliar or non-UK numbers.
5. Be wary of vague messages lacking specific details about your orders or their origins.
James Harwood, Fraud Prevention Strategy Lead at Virgin Media O2, emphasizes the importance of staying alert during Black Friday to avoid falling prey to fraudsters. He highlights the company’s efforts in blocking millions of scam messages and urges consumers to report any suspicious activity for investigation.
As shoppers gear up for the upcoming Black Friday deals, staying informed and cautious is key to safeguarding against potential cyber threats.