Everyone using the O2 mobile network warned to watch out for 'important' text

There's an urgent alert for millions of iPhone and Android users. O2 is telling customers to stay alert after the discovery of a worrying new scam that's targeting UK users.

The fraudulent message, which is arriving on devices, claims that customers’ SIM cards are about to be deactivated because they have supposedly failed to accept updated Terms and Conditions. The scam is particularly convincing because it uses urgent language, such as IMPORTANT and NOT, and appears to have been sent from an official O2 number, making it more difficult to identify as fake.

If you have an O2 SIM here is what you need to watch out for.

The message reads, “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.”

Along with that threat of decativation, the text includes a link that directs victims to a fake website designed to steal personal information. Once scammers obtain these details, they may attempt to access MyO2 accounts and reuse stolen passwords to break into other online accounts.

Customers who receive a message claiming their O2 SIM is about to expire should not click on any links. Instead, they should access their account through the official O2 website or app, or contact the network directly to confirm whether the message is genuine.

Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud Prevention at Virgin Media O2, warned that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

“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,” he said.

“At Virgin Media O2, we’re doing all we can to help Brits avoid 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.”

O2 has also shared advice to help customers stay protected:

• O2 will not send texts asking customers to accept new Terms and Conditions or threatening SIM deactivation. Messages like this are scams.

• Be cautious of messages using urgent or threatening wording designed to pressure you into acting quickly.

• Avoid trusting unexpected messages from unknown numbers. On many smartphones, genuine O2 messages appear under a verified “O2” sender name rather than a normal mobile number.

• Never click links in unexpected texts. Instead, open the MyO2 app directly or call 202 from an O2 phone to check whether a request is legitimate.

• If you have clicked a suspicious link and entered your login details, change your password immediately to protect your account.