EDMONTON — A new telephone scam is targeting residents in Alberta and has prompted the RCMP to issue a warning in hopes of preventing potential victims.
Police say the scam, which has been reported across the country, involves fraudsters posing as representatives from phone companies and offering deals to upgrade mobile devices.
Investigators say the calls can appear legitimate, with scammers using fake names and, in some cases, transferring victims to someone posing as a supervisor.
Victims are instructed to order a new phone through their legitimate service provider’s app. In some cases, scammers obtain personal information during the call and use it to access or take over customer accounts. They may also send emails using stolen company logos to appear credible.
Once the device is delivered, police say victims are contacted again and told the wrong phone was sent. They are then instructed to return it to what is presented as a return facility, but is actually an address linked to the fraud.
The RCMP is advising the public not to agree to device upgrades initiated through unsolicited calls and to avoid using phone numbers provided by callers.
Police recommend verifying offers by contacting service providers directly using official contact information and to hang up if anything seems suspicious.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized is asked to report the incident to police. The RCMP can be reached at 310-RCMP, while anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
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