Anyone who uses the O2 network must be on high alert and watch out for a worrying new text message. The UK network says it has been made aware of a shocking new scam that suggests customers’ SIM cards are about to become inactive. To make matters worse, the message not only says it’s “important” but appears to have come from an official O2 number, making it harder to spot.

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.”

A link is included, and those fooled are taken to a fake website where their personal data is stolen. Fraudsters can then take over MyO2 accounts and use passwords to try and hack other accounts.

If you get a message from O2 saying your SIM is expiring, do not click any links. Instead, log in to your account on the official page or call the network to check the situation.

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

“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.”

The help its users O2 has also outlined some new advice to keep people safe.

Firstly O2 says it 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.

The network also says be wary of threatening or urgent language designed to pressure you into acting quickly.

Anyone who receives messages from a number they don’t recognise should 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.

It also wise never to 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

Finally, if you think you may have clicked on a suspicious link and entered your login details, change your password immediately.