09/09/2026
Sept. 9, 2026
Strathcona County RCMP Warn Public of Telecommunications Scam
Strathcona County, Alta. – Between July 13, 2026 and August 29, 2026, Strathcona County RCMP received nine reports of a telecommunications scam in which fraudsters impersonate employees or agents of legitimate telecommunications companies and are warning residents about the ongoing scam.
In this scam, victims may receive an unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to work for a telecommunications provider. The caller may tell the victim they are eligible for a free or discounted phone, tablet or other electronic device and may then convince the victim to upgrade their account or purchase a device. After the device is delivered, the victim receives another call claiming there was an error with the order or account. The victim is then instructed to return the device to an address or PO Box controlled by the fraudster. The device is ultimately obtained by the fraudster and may be resold, potentially leaving the victim responsible for the device, account and associated costs.
Strathcona County RCMP are encouraging residents to:
👀👂Be cautious of unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to represent your telecommunications provider.
👀👂Do not provide personal information, account passwords, PINs or verification codes to an unsolicited caller.
👀👂Be suspicious of offers for free or significantly discounted electronic devices, particularly when you did not initiate the contact.
👀👂Never send a newly purchased device to a third party or an address provided by an unsolicited caller.
👀👂If you are told there has been an error with your order, contact the telecommunications company directly using the phone number on your bill, official app, official website or by attending the store in person.
👀👂Do not rely on a phone number, email address or link provided by the person who contacted you.
👀👂Take your time.
👀👂Fraudsters may create a sense of urgency to prevent you from verifying their story.
👀👂If something doesn’t seem right, stop and independently confirm the information before taking any further action.
“Fraudsters can be very convincing and may use information that makes a call appear legitimate,” says Constable Cheri-Lee Smith, Strathcona County RCMP Public Information Officer. “If you receive an unexpected call about your account or a new device, take the time to independently verify the information. A few minutes spent checking can prevent significant financial loss.”
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact your local police, financial institution, telecommunications provider as soon as possible.