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The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is warning residents about a sophisticated cellphone fraud in which criminals impersonate legitimate service providers to obtain expensive devices and commit identity-related fraud.
Victims are receiving unsolicited calls from people claiming to represent cellphone companies, often offering discounted wireless plans, account upgrades or complimentary phones through promotional or customer loyalty programs.
The callers may already have some of the victim’s personal information, making the offer appear legitimate. Victims can then be persuaded to provide additional account or verification information, which police say may be used to access wireless accounts, establish new accounts or order devices in their name.
Once a cellphone is delivered, the fraudsters contact the victim and claim a mistake has been made, such as the wrong model, colour or device being shipped. The victim is instructed to return the phone using a prepaid shipping label or QR code supplied by the caller.
Those return instructions are fraudulent and may redirect the device to the suspects or an address they control. Victims can then be left responsible for device financing agreements, outstanding balances, and monthly service charges.
The fraud may not be discovered until victims receive bills showing unauthorized device purchases, additional wireless services or other charges.
HRPS advises residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls offering wireless plans, upgrades, loyalty rewards or free devices. Residents should never provide passwords, PINs, credit card information, photographs of identification, verification codes or other personal information to unsolicited callers.
Police recommend independently contacting a cellphone provider using a number from the company’s official website, account portal or monthly bill. Residents should also verify any account changes and return instructions directly with their provider and regularly check their wireless accounts for unfamiliar devices, additional lines or other unauthorized changes.
If you receive an unexpected cellphone, you should contact your provider immediately and obtain confirmation of the proper return process.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted should contact their cellphone provider, notify their financial institution if sensitive financial information was disclosed, retain relevant phone numbers, emails, shipping labels, tracking information and receipts, and monitor their financial and wireless accounts for suspicious activity.
Residents are also encouraged to report incidents to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online.
