Beware of "Free Phone" fraud

October 2, 2026 - West Shore, British Columbia
From: West Shore RCMP

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The West Shore RCMP are alerting citizens of a fraudulent scheme targeting residents through a multi-step "bait and switch" process.

Police have received reports of individuals posing as Tele Communications staff who contact residents to inform them they are eligible for a free mobile phone. The victims are instructed to order the device, which is then delivered to their residence.

However, shortly after the phone arrives, the scammers contact the victim again, claiming that the wrong phone was sent by mistake. The fraudsters then email the victim a pre-paid shipping label and instruct them to return the device to a PO Box located outside of the province.

Once the victim mails the phone back, they lose the device and may have already provided the scammers with sensitive personal or financial information during the initial "ordering" process.

To protect yourself from this scam, the West Shore RCMP recommend the following:

• Be wary of "free" offers: Be highly skeptical of any unsolicited call, text, or email offering a free device.
• Question "shipping mistakes": If a company claims they sent the wrong item and asks you to ship it to a PO Box—especially one outside of BC—stop communication immediately.
• Verify independently: Do not use the contact information provided by the caller. Contact the company directly using a verified number from their official website or your billing statement.
• Protect your data: Never provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN), passwords, or credit card details to an unsolicited caller.

For more information regarding frauds and tips on how to protect yourself visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre online. 

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