The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is warning of a bizarre cell phone scam making the rounds.
It’s known as a cell phone brushing scam.
Some people have been receiving phone calls from people posing as telecommunications representatives, who say the victim is going to receive a new phone in the mail.
Even if the person declines, the phone arrives a few days later and people are being billed for the cost through the cell phone provider.
The RNC says anyone being targeted with this scam should obtain the tracking number for the package—if shipped by U-S Mail or Canada Post—and the return address.
They say that information should then be given to the RNC in an official statement, before the phone is returned in person to the local provider.
Police are warning the public to be cautious when communicating with any unknown person.
They say not to feel obligated to engage in conversation, and to hang up. Never provide personal information to unknown sources, and do not use a phone’s callback feature or caller ID to phone them back.
The Constabulary calls it “very unlikely” that a company will contact someone by phone to offer a service, promotion, or refund.