Strathcona County RCMP warn residents of cell phone scam

Another phone scam is making the rounds east of Edmonton, and RCMP are urging the public to be on their toes.

Strathcona County RCMP detailed the scam in a news release Wednesday.

On July 18, police say a victim received a call from a suspect, claiming to be from Telus, offering a cell phone promotion including two new phones and a plan for $65 a month.

The man on the phone told the victim to call Telus to order the two new phones at the higher price, but to call him back, and he would adjust the price to reflect the promotion.

The victim then received two phones in the mail, which the scammer described as the “wrong phones.” The victim was then instructed by the scammer to mail the two phones back to an address in Ontario, and was provided a shipping label. The phones were sent to the scammers and not back to Telus.

Police in Strathcona Country are asking residents to report suspected phishing calls received on Telus mobile devices or landlines and call the customer care.

“If you receive an unexpected and suspicious call, be cautious and ask yourself whether the caller is asking for personal or sensitive information, creating a sense of urgency, or pressuring you to take action,” RCMP say in a news release Wednesday. “If the answer is yes to any of these questions, the call is likely a phishing or scam attempt.”

Phishing calls can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501 or on their website or to Strathcona County RCMP at 780-467-7741