Mobile phone deal scam warning

By Barrie Hudson - 8 July 2021

Crime

Wiltshire Police are warning shoppers to beware of fake mobile phone deals.

The force has been alerted by colleagues at the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) to a scam in which consumers are being cold called by criminals impersonating legitimate network operators and suppliers. 

Victims are offered early handset upgrades or new contracts, at significant discounts and then tricked into revealing financial data such as bank account details.

The criminals then place orders with genuine companies on behalf of victims, but select a different handset to the one requested and have it shipped to the customer’s address. 

On receipt, the scammers assure victims that this has been an error and instruct them to ‘return’ the handset to a different address not affiliated to the mobile company. 

These addresses are usually residential, and the suspects cease contact as soon as they receive the handset.

Victims find themselves stuck with no phone and liable for the entirety of a new contract taken out in their name.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said:  "We want people to be extra careful when buying a new phone or upgrading their contract.  

"If you’re unsure that the person calling you is an official representative of the company they claim to be from, hang up and do not reveal any personal information.

"It's better to check and be certain rather than fall foul of a fraud.
"There are a number of checks you can make to reduce the chances of being scammed."

The force has a list of tips to help people avoid such scams:

- Only contact your mobile network provider on a number you know to be correct. For example, 191 for Vodafone customers, 150 for EE customers, 333 for Three customers, 202 for O2 customers, 4455 for Tesco Mobile, 789 for Virgin Mobile and 150 for Sky Mobile.

- If you receive a device that you did not order or expect, contact the genuine sender immediately. The details for this will be within the parcel.

- Never post a device directly to a given address. All genuine Mobile Network Operators would send out a jiffy bag for you to return without you incurring additional cost.

- If you’re unsure that the person calling you is an official representative of the company they claim to be from, hang up and do not reveal any personal information.

Victims of fraud or cyber crime can report offences to Actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

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