More Ontario police units are warning of a sophisticated telecom scam that leaves victims on the hook for a very real bill while scammers make off with a new device.
A media release from the South Simcoe Police Service warns the scam is growing more prevalent.
“South Simcoe Police continue to see an increase in reports involving fraudsters impersonating telecommunications companies and offering fraudulent promotions for free or discounted phones, tablets and other electronic devices,” said the release.
Police go on to explain that in these scams, victims receive unsolicited calls from people claiming to represent Canadian telecom companies. Often, these calls are spoofed, which makes the call appear legitimate, as it might say the carrier’s name in the caller ID.
The callers then offer victims a promotion, like a heavily discounted device, and arrange for it to be delivered to the victim’s home. Once the device is delivered, the fraudsters call back and convince the victims to return the phone, such as by saying there’s an issue with the order or a problem with the phone itself. Crucially, the fraudsters get victims to return the device to an address they control, or even send someone to collect the device.
That leaves victims without the device and often with new, unauthorized charges on their accounts.
And it’s not just the South Simcoe Police warning of this scam. Halton Regional Police arrested a man in July related to the so-called “fake agent” scam. And we detailed a similar scam back in May, where scammers pretending to be from Rogers offered a “free” iPad and left victims on the hook for thousands of dollars.
How to protect yourself
South Simcoe Police Service offered some tips for how people can protect themselves from this scam. These include being cautious of unsolicited calls, especially if they offer free devices or other promotions. Further, if you receive one of these calls, never provide any personal information to the caller, especially financial or account details.
Further, people should always verify any promotions directly with their telecom company, such as through the company’s official website or phone number. Don’t call numbers provided by an unsolicited caller.
Finally, don’t allow unknown people to collect packages or devices from your home, and make sure to review your accounts regularly for any unauthorized charges or suspicious activity.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to be extremely cautious with any unsolicited phone call. Never give information to an unverified caller. And if you’re ever unsure, a good practice is to follow up via a different method of contact. For example, if a carrier calls you offering a deal, you can try checking your account on the carrier’s website to see if the same offer is shown there.
If you or someone you know was targeted by this kind of scam, the South Simcoe Police Service recommends contacting your telecom company directly as well as reporting the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Source: South Simcoe Police Service
