Phone Scam Alert

Phone Scam Alert: Fraud Department Impersonation

A new phone scam is targeting mobile carrier customers by impersonating the fraud department of the carrier. Here's how the scam works:

How the Scam Works

1. Call from a "1-800" Number The scammer calls the victim, often from a number that looks official (sometimes a spoofed 1-800 number).
2. Claims of Fraudulent Activity The caller claims that the victim's account was hacked, and that phones were fraudulently ordered to a distant location (often not near the victim's home).
3. Use of Family Names To gain trust, the scammer may mention actual names of family members (likely sourced from social media or breached data) as the ones who allegedly placed the order.
4. "Help" with Cancelling the Order The scammer pretends to assist by offering to cancel the order and secure the account.
5. Password Reset Trick The victim is instructed to approve a password reset request or email - which actually grants the scammer access to the account.
6. Real Orders Made by the Scammer Once access is granted, the scammer places real phone orders and ships them to a location they control, intending to steal the devices.

Important: What Your Carrier Will NOT Do

• They will not call you out of the blue to reset your password.
• They will not send password reset links or ask you to approve access over the phone.
• They will not need you to verify fraud by logging in through unsolicited links or calls.

What You Should Do

• Hang up if someone calls claiming to be from your carrier and asks for login approval or password changes.
• Never click on password reset links or approve access unless you personally initiated the request.
• Call your carrier directly using the number from their official website or your bill - not the number that called you.
• Report the incident to your carrier's fraud department and to the FTC or appropriate regulatory body.