The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service – as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – have recently received several reports of scammers posing as cellphone service providers.
Watch for these red flags:
- An unexpected offer for a discount, upgraded plan, or new device
- Pressure to act quickly or claims that an offer is available for a limited time
- You are asked to log in to your cellphone account while the caller stays on the line
- Requests for passwords, PINs, security codes, or multi-factor authentication codes
- Requests for your driver’s licence, Social Insurance Number (SIN), or other identification
- Instructions to open an account with another service provider
- Instructions to ship a phone or tablet to an address provided by the caller
Protect yourself:
- If someone unexpectedly contacts you claiming to be from your service provider, end the call and contact the company directly
- Use the phone number on your bill or account, or the company’s official website — not contact information provided by the caller
- Never share passwords, PINs, security codes, or multi-factor authentication codes
- Do not provide personal or financial information during an unexpected call, text, or email
- Do not log in to your account while an unknown caller is guiding you
- If you receive a device you did not order, contact the service provider directly to confirm the correct return process
- Never ship a device to an address provided by an unknown caller
When in doubt, hang up and verify the offer directly with your service provider.
How to Report
If you suspect a scam or fraudulent activity:
- Call the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 705-949-6300, visit in person, or report online.
- Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for further support and resources.
Stay Informed
Stay informed about recent scams affecting Canadians, tips to protect yourself, and steps to take if you’ve been victimized by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
By staying alert, informed, and spreading the word, you can help prevent fraud and protect your community.
