08001836403 | Why Virgin Contacts Customers From This Number?
Every day, people receive calls that appear to be from Virgin Media. Some are for legitimate reasons like service updates, account queries, or promotional offers.
However, fraudsters are increasingly spoofing Virgin Media’s official numbers such as 08001836403 to impersonate the company and deceive customers.
With scam calls on the rise, it’s no surprise that many customers are questioning whether their phone provider is genuinely trying to contact them.
This article breaks down Virgin Media’s use of numbers like 08001836403, the most common reasons they call, and how you can confirm whether a call is real before providing any sensitive information.
What Is 08001836403 and Why Is Virgin Media Calling From It?

The phone number 08001836403 is used by Virgin Media as part of its outbound calling system.
This number is officially recognised and used to get in touch with customers for a variety of reasons, including account support, technical issues, follow-up queries, or promotional purposes.
Calls from 08001836403 are not unusual, particularly for customers with recent activity on their Virgin Media account.
These could include service requests, changes to your broadband or mobile package, billing issues, or recent contact with customer support.
Scam activity in the UK has increased in recent years, and this includes the spoofing of known numbers like 08001836403.
While this number is registered to Virgin Media, it is important to understand how to verify if a call is genuinely from the company.
Who Is Virgin Media?
Virgin Media Limited is a major British telecommunications company that provides broadband internet, digital television, fixed-line telephone, and mobile telephony services across the United Kingdom.
Established on 8 February 2007, the company is headquartered at Green Park in Reading, England, and operates as a subsidiary of Virgin Media O2 a 50:50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica.
Virgin Media emerged through the merger of two major UK cable operators: NTL and Telewest, later acquiring Virgin Mobile UK, which marked the birth of the UK’s first ‘quad-play’ provider offering TV, broadband, mobile, and landline services under one brand.
Since its formation, Virgin Media has used the Virgin brand under licence from Richard Branson’s Virgin Group.
The company owns and operates a hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) network, making it a major infrastructure player.
Although initially focused on urban areas, the network is now expanding into underserved regions through a new joint venture called Nexfibre.
As of the second quarter of 2023, Virgin Media served approximately 5.8 million customers and covered over 51% of UK households, making it one of the top four internet service providers in the country alongside BT (EE), Sky, and TalkTalk.
Key Facts About Virgin Media
| Category | Details |
| Founded | 8 February 2007 |
| Headquarters | Reading, England |
| Parent Company | Virgin Media O2 |
| Key Executives | John C. Malone (Chairman), Lutz Schüler (CEO) |
| Area Served | United Kingdom |
| Employees (2012) | 14,004 |
| Revenue (2012) | £4.1 billion |
| Network Coverage | 51% of UK households |
| Main Products | Broadband, Digital TV, Mobile, Landline |
| Website | www.virginmedia.com |
Virgin Media has gone through several strategic milestones, including a rebrand in 2007 following the acquisition of Virgin Mobile, and a $23.3 billion merger with Liberty Global in 2013.
More recently, in 2021, the company merged with O2 UK, forming Virgin Media O2, one of the largest integrated telecoms providers in the country.
The company has a long-standing reputation for technological innovation, having pioneered the UK’s first 100 Mbps broadband service in 2010 and launching the Gig1 broadband service with speeds of over 1 Gbps in selected UK cities in 2019.
Virgin Media also operates Virgin Media Business, which provides dedicated internet and telecoms services to organisations across the UK, and previously ran Virgin Mobile, which ceased operations in August 2023 following the merger with O2.
From its beginnings in cable television with NTL and Telewest to becoming a nationwide broadband and entertainment provider, Virgin Media continues to shape the UK’s digital infrastructure and consumer telecoms landscape.
How Can You Tell If a Call from 08001836403 Is Genuine?

Virgin Media has implemented processes to ensure customer safety when making outbound calls.
A genuine call from 08001836403 will typically relate to a service the customer is already using or recently inquired about.
To help determine the authenticity of a call, here are a few key checks:
- The caller will never ask for a full password or banking PIN
- Information shared will relate to your account activity or enquiries
- If you request verification, the caller will encourage you to call back using an official number from the Virgin Media website
If you are still unsure, hang up and dial the main customer service number listed on Virgin Media’s contact page.
What Types of Calls Are Made From 08001836403?
Virgin Media uses 08001836403 for various types of legitimate calls. These can range from basic account enquiries to important service notifications.
The table below outlines some of the typical categories of calls you might receive.
Types of Calls from 08001836403
| Type of Call | Description | Examples of Topics |
| Account or Billing Enquiries | Calls about overdue payments or changes to billing info | Payment failures, card expiry, billing queries |
| Technical Support | Follow-up on technical complaints or service tickets | Faults, maintenance updates, engineer bookings |
| Service Updates | Notifications about outages or planned maintenance | Broadband downtime, service alerts in your area |
| Promotional Offers | Upgrades, discounts, or new package deals | Bundle offers, faster broadband deals |
| Customer Feedback | Surveys or post-service feedback requests | Engineer visit reviews, support experience ratings |
These calls are usually triggered by recent interactions, such as support requests, new installations, or billing concerns.
Does Virgin Media Use 08001836403 for Sales and Promotions?

Yes, Virgin Media often uses 08001836403 to reach existing customers with sales or promotional opportunities. These could be exclusive deals, package upgrades, or contract renewal options.
Other numbers frequently used by Virgin Media’s sales and retention teams include:
- 0800 052 1251
- 0800 052 5306
- 0800 183 6403
These numbers are commonly associated with outbound teams contacting customers about service changes or value-added upgrades.
If the call discusses a product or service you’re eligible for, it is likely a genuine offer. However, even when a call sounds legitimate, Virgin Media representatives are trained never to request confidential data over the phone.
You should be cautious if the caller:
- Insists on urgent action involving bank details
- Asks for full login credentials or verification codes
- Requests remote access to your device without reason
What Should You Do If You Miss a Call from 08001836403?
If you notice a missed call from 08001836403, the best approach is to avoid calling back directly. Instead, verify the context of the call using the official Virgin Media support routes.
You can check whether you had:
- An open complaint or technical query
- A scheduled installation or engineer visit
- An ongoing billing issue or payment failure
Virgin Media will often follow up by calling again or by sending a notification via email or through the Virgin Media account portal.
If you suspect the call was important but are unsure about its legitimacy, use the official customer service number listed on the Virgin Media contact page.
Here is a quick reference table for Virgin Media’s most used phone numbers.
Virgin Media Official Phone Numbers
| Phone Number | Purpose | Status |
| 08001836403 | General outbound calls for service, offers | Genuine |
| 0800 052 1251 | Retentions and package upgrades | Genuine |
| 0800 052 5306 | Sales team outbound calls | Genuine |
| 0800 183 6403 | Promotions and account changes | Genuine |
| 0800 052 9406 | Billing enquiries and account follow-ups | Genuine |
| 0800 052 2170 | Automated payment reminders | Genuine |
| 0800 052 8675 | Service updates and support messaging | Genuine |
| 0800 052 1734 | New service installations and confirmations | Genuine |
| 0345 454 1111 | Main customer service number | Genuine |
By cross-referencing these numbers, you can safely identify whether a missed call was truly from Virgin Media.
How Can You Protect Yourself from Scam Calls Claiming to Be Virgin Media?

While Virgin Media takes steps to protect its customers, scams remain a widespread issue. Fraudsters may spoof legitimate numbers, including 08001836403, to gain trust and deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information.
To safeguard your account and personal information, consider the following actions:
- Hang up immediately if a call feels suspicious or overly persistent
- Never give out full passwords, payment PINs, or banking credentials
- Don’t allow remote access to your devices unless you’re certain the call is from Virgin support
- Use the Virgin Media app or website to verify any claim made over the phone
- Report suspicious activity to Virgin Media and Action Fraud UK
Virgin Media will always provide the option to call back via an official line and will not pressure customers into making immediate decisions or sharing personal information.
Why Should You Trust Official Virgin Media Numbers Like 08001836403?
Virgin Media publishes a list of phone numbers it uses for contacting customers.
This list includes 08001836403 and several other numbers used across different departments like billing, technical support, and promotions.
Calls from 08001836403 typically relate to recent account activity, promotional offers, or technical support issues. If you’re unsure about a call, it’s safe to request verification or insist on calling back via an official number.
Virgin Media’s representatives are trained to understand and respect such requests. If the call is genuine, the agent will not object to you verifying their identity through official support channels.
Where Can You Find More Information About Virgin Media Calls?
The best place to check if a number belongs to Virgin Media is their official contact page.
This will list all the genuine phone numbers currently in use. You can also consult recent communications from Virgin Media, such as emails or letters, where numbers used for support may be listed.
If you’re looking for third-party insight, websites like WhoCalledMe UK can help identify user reports on a specific number, but these should not be your only source of truth.
For suspected scam calls or spoofed numbers, it is recommended to file a report with Action Fraud UK, especially if you suspect someone attempted to extract sensitive information.
Conclusion
While receiving a call from 08001836403 might spark concern, it’s important to know that this number is genuinely used by Virgin Media to reach customers for a variety of reasons ranging from service updates and account queries to sales promotions and retention offers.
However, due to the growing issue of scam calls and number spoofing, always take precautions.
Never share sensitive data, and always use Virgin Media’s official channels to verify the authenticity of a call.
Staying informed and alert is the best way to protect yourself while still benefiting from genuine Virgin Media support and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call back 08001836403?
While it is a valid Virgin Media number, it’s better to call their official helpline or use their website to request a call back if needed.
Is 08001836403 a scam number or legit?
It is a legitimate number used by Virgin Media. However, be aware of spoofing and always verify calls before engaging.
Why did Virgin Media call me and hang up?
This could be an automated system or a missed outbound call. If needed, call the official support number to confirm.
What if I shared personal info with a suspicious caller?
Contact Virgin Media support immediately and report the issue to Action Fraud UK.
Are all 0800 numbers from Virgin Media safe?
Only numbers listed on Virgin Media’s official website should be trusted. Others may be spoofed or fraudulent.
Can I block 08001836403?
Yes, but doing so might prevent you from receiving valid offers or service updates from Virgin Media.
How can I report a suspicious Virgin Media call?
Visit Virgin Media’s contact page and also report to Action Fraud UK through their official site.



