Hi all,
This is just a cautionary note. As most of you know, scammers often pose as phone providers, claiming you’re eligible for an upgrade or promotion as a “loyal customer,” with the goal of gaining access to your information or having you order a device.
I recently received one of these calls and, while I didn’t fall for it, what stood out was how convincing it was. The caller knew my address and was able to accurately state my most recent bill amount, which was concerning. Although I knew it was a scam, I was still freaked out by how he knew what I owed down to the cent. I didn't answer any questions, confirm anything, or provide any details. He just offered this information up after his little spiel about Rogers and the promotion they had going on.
I’ve since contacted my provider to flag the issue and confirm there was no compromise on my account. I also made sure two-factor authentication was enabled on my Rogers account and all relevant apps, and asked them to confirm there was no broader data breach.
While this attempt didn’t succeed, it’s a good reminder that scammers sometimes have access to partial information or are very good at guessing and use it to build trust. Please stay vigilant and don’t engage or share any details if you receive similar calls. I enjoyed messing with this particular scammer and he got very angry and swore at me. This part was fun. It always is.
For those of you who don't know this scam, it works by convincing you to order a phone directly through your provider under the promise of a discount for being one of their loyal customers etc. Once it arrives, they claim they sent the wrong phone in error and ask you to return it using a label they provide and they will send you the correct one, but the return address is not your provider. They keep the phone, and you’re left paying for it.
In some cases, they share small bits of information to gain your trust, then ask you to reset passwords and read verification codes, giving them access to your account. Other times, they’re simply collecting personal details for identity theft.
Always assume unsolicited calls are scams. If in doubt, hang up and call your provider directly using their official 1-800 number.