Police warn of mobile phone scam targeting residents with fake discount offers

Police are warning residents to be on guard against a scam in which fraudsters pose as representatives of mobile phone providers and offer discounted or competitive cellphone plans.

“In this type of scam, the caller may request personal identification, credit card information and a photograph under the pretense of setting up a new account or verifying identity,” police said in a media release. “The information is then used to open an unauthorized account and order a new mobile phone. In some cases, the victim receives a phone instead of the promised SIM card and is later instructed to return the device to an address that does not belong to the legitimate provider.”

Authorities are urging residents to independently verify any unsolicited phone plan offers by contacting the provider through a trusted phone number or its official website before sharing any personal or financial information.

Police also advise people not to send identification documents, credit card information or photographs in response to unsolicited phone calls, text messages or emails.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted is encouraged to contact their mobile phone provider and financial institution, monitor their accounts for suspicious activity, and report the incident to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.