Cell Phone Promotion Scam

Beaumont RCMP warns the public about the cell phone promotion scam that has been circulating in the area. These scams usually involve a phone call from someone who claims to...

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Beaumont RCMP warns the public about the cell phone promotion scam that has been circulating in the area.

These scams usually involve a phone call from someone who claims to be from a reputable business such as Telus or Best Buy and they offer a new upgraded cell phone on your existing plan. An actual phone is mailed out via Canada Post or Fed Ex, but once opened it is not the correct phone that was agreed upon. A follow-up phone call is made and they are very willing to correct their error and ask you to send them the wrong phone back using the shipping label that they email you.

Essentially what they have done is ordered a new phone using your personal details and then you re-route the phone directly to the scammer. The replacement phone never actually arrives.

Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that you can take to avoid falling victim to this scam:

  • Resist the urge to act immediately – no matter how good the deal sounds.
  • If you get a call from a person saying they represent a company, hang up and call the number on your account statement or the company website to verify.
  • Ask the caller questions that a real company would know, but a scammer would not.
  • Don’t give out personal information such as your SIN or driver’s licence number.
  • Don’t be intimidated by high-pressure sales – don’t be afraid to say no.

For more information on scams contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or toll free at 1-888-495-8501. If you believe you may be the victim of fraud or have given personal or financial information unwittingly, contact the Beaumont RCMP 24-hour complaint line at 780-929-7400 or your local police detachment.

Media contact:

Cst. Allison Gyonyor

Public Information Officer

780-929-7410