Windsor Police are warning the public about a telephone scam where fraudsters impersonate cellphone company workers and trick victims into ordering mobile phones.
The phones are diverted to the scammers, and the victims are left paying the bill.
Since July, police have received two reports involving the scam. In both cases, the victims were called by someone who said they were from Rogers. The caller told the victims they would receive credit for a new cellphone and instructed them how to order the device online.
Once the phone was delivered, the victims were told to contact the "agent" to activate it. The scammer told them the wrong phone had been sent and instructed them to return it using a shipping label or return form provided, conveniently, by the fraudster.
Later, the victims found out they were charged for a phone they didn't intend to buy.
If you get a similar call, police recommend calling the company back to ensure it's legitimate, and do not order a cellphone from an unsolicited caller. Carefully review your wireless account and billing statements, and never send a new device to an unfamiliar address, courier recipient, or post office box without verifying the request.
Anyone who thinks they may have been taken in by the scam should call their wireless provider immediately to secure the account and report unauthorized transactions, and save all related communications.
The Windsor Police Financial Crimes Unit can be reached at 519-255-6700 ext. 4330.
