Cell phone scam costs Edmontonians $600K: EPS
CTV
Edmonton police are warning residents about a cell phone scam that has so far defrauded victims of more than $600,000.
Edmonton police are warning residents about a cell phone scam that has so far defrauded victims of more than $600,000.
As of Dec. 18, police had received 91 reports of the scam, which involves a fake cell phone promotional offer.
In it, police said victims are contacted by a scammer posing as a call phone carrier representative – with most claims being associated with Telus.
The scammer offers a new phone deal with a low monthly rate and requests personal details, including the victim's security code and password, to complete the transaction.
Police said the scammers then log into the victim's account and order a new phone to be shipped to the victim's home, telling the victim to call back when it arrives.
When the victim calls to "activate" the phone, police said the scammers tell them there is a problem with the phone and it needs to be returned to an address given by the scammer.
The victim then sends the new phone to the scammer, while being left with the bill for the phone by their provider.
