Telus Corporation has noted a significant increase in the frequency of a common phone scam in recent days. Powell River residents are being warned that fraud artists are trying to trick customers out of personal information by posing as representatives of Telus or other well-known companies.
The fraudsters offer free trips and other prizes, states the corporation’s media release. The fraudsters “spoof” their caller IDs, using specialized Internet services to create false phone numbers to make it appear they are calling from a local number. Telus believes they are in fact calling from offshore.
People who provide personal information to fraudsters could suffer identity theft or other fraud. Personal information includes names, addresses, birth dates, account numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, et cetera.
Telus is warning customers to be aware of these frauds, and not give out personal information. The corporation suggests recipients simply hang up when scammers call.
Anyone unsure about the legitimacy of an email or phone call can call Telus Fraud Management at 1.877.567.2062. The RCMP provides additional information about email and telephone fraud online.
To lodge a complaint or request more information, readers are asked to please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll-free at 1.888.495.8501 or the Competition Bureau toll-free at 1.800.348.5358.
