Mounties on Vancouver Island are warning people about a scam targeting people who recently got new cellphones. The Nanaimo RCMP released a statement Thursday, describing what prompted them to notify the public. “Police have received several reports of victims obtaining a new phone through a carrier promotion, only to be contacted days later by someone claiming to represent the provider,” the statement from the detachment said. “The caller advises that the wrong device was shipped and asks the customer to return it using a prepaid shipping label provided by email.” After the phone has been shipped, the victims learn it was not sent to a legitimate provider. “The source of the information being used by the fraudsters is unknown; however, victims have reported that the scammers appeared to know details about recent cell phone purchases and deliveries,” said Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson Const. Gary O’Brien. Anyone who is contacted about returning a recently purchased device is advised to contact their cellphone provider before shipping it anywhere. Those who have fallen prey to the scam but have not yet reported it are urged to call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
