topic Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam in Security

Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Winterfox — Mon, 23 May 2022 16:33:41 GMT

Hi community!

So I'm currently in the middle of a mobile phone contract/upgrade scam.

I am with Three for my SIM contract and was cold called by scammers claiming to be from Carphone Warehouse and they of course offered a too-good-to-be-true phone contract.

The caller offered an upgrade to a newer Samsung S20 with a 24-month contract. He said they said they would take a £40 security deposit and send the phone and once I received the phone, they would switch me to the new tariff immediately. So I requested a blue phone and received a parcel through DPD.

The phone that arrived was, of course, the wrong model and colour. They sent me a Samsung Galaxy S22 in black, and I know they are going to ask me to send the phone to some address where they will intercept the parcel and lock me into an expensive contract with no actual phone. The callers have been presenting themselves as from Carphone Warehouse from the number 0330 001 7772 and have been calling relentlessly in a very obviously scammy manner. Complete with Whatsapp message and terrible grammar.

So what do I do with the new phone I have, and ensure a contract hasn’t/won’t be taken out in my name?

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Northerner — Mon, 23 May 2022 16:54:16 GMT

Hi @Winterfox

Why is this anything to do with EE if you're with Three?

DPD must have the sender's information.

I would recommend you change any email/banking passwords and set up two stage authentication. You need to ask your bank to issue a new card and number. If you've given these people any person information then possibly expect a lot of unknown bank charges if you do nothing.

You should also report this issue to the police.

Thanks

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

James_B — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:09:06 GMT

Hi @Winterfox,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

Did the documents that came with the phone indicate it was from EE?

James

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Winterfox — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:11:33 GMT

I haven't broken the plastic wrapping on the box. Are there documents inside the boxes usually? Otherwise, there were no documents. First thing I did was contact my bank.

DPD can't give me the address of the original sender.

EE said I have to get in touch with the third party.

Carphone Warehouse said to contact Action Fraud.

Action Fraud is…very slow.

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

James_B — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:17:50 GMT

Hi @Winterfox,

Yes, if the phone was sent by EE, there would have been a delivery note in the bag.

James

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Chris_B — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:35:39 GMT

@Winterfox If the phone was even ordered through the car

phone warehouse it’s not an EE contract the Carphone Warehouse don’t sell contracts for EE any more. Did a SIM card come with the device?
What paper work came with the device?

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Winterfox — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:42:17 GMT

Ah I just noticed the security seal stickers were broken under the plastic wrap, so I went ahead and opened the box. There's a SIM card suck on the outside of the phone, which looks fake, and the packaging is clearly tampered with.

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Chris_B — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:46:26 GMT

@Winterfox I doubt the sim is fake, the device has been ordered in your name to your address by the scammers they then want you to post it back to the address they they give you. They ordered the wrong device so you would send it back but to their address. That’s the scam they get a device that they want and your left with the contract in your name. You need to find out where it came from and call them. There should be paper work with the device.

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

James_B — Mon, 23 May 2022 18:02:33 GMT

What branding is on the SIM @Winterfox?

James

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

chistery — Mon, 23 May 2022 18:10:35 GMT

@Winterfox have you also contacted your bank and replaced your card as they know your card details?

Also, sign up to all the free credit score companies like clearscore and credit karma so you can keep an eye on any searches and accounts.

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Winterfox — Mon, 23 May 2022 18:14:04 GMT

Ah wait. I thought it was a real SIM but it is a sticker that looks like a SIM. There was a leaflet of instructions for the charger but the only other slip of paper included that presents itself with an EE logo says:

GOOD AS NEW

Our Good As New devices have been selected from equipment returned to us by customers who bought a device online or over the phone but later changed their mind. The device you received may not have been opened, although we cannot guarantee that. That means when you buy a Good As New device from us, you should be aware that:

- The device sent to you will be free from cosmetic damage, although the box we sent to you may not be pristine.

- The device comes with all original parts including charger lead and in-box literature but for hygiene reasons, other inbox accessories such as earphones may not be included.

- Your device will be covered by the manufacturer guarantee.

- Your legal rights as a consumer are not affected by choosing to purchase a Good As New device from us.

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Chris_B — Mon, 23 May 2022 18:22:13 GMT

@Winterfox I would call EE customer services about this so you can get the device returned to EE.

+44-800-956-6000

Explain to them what is happening and you want to return the device back.

Have a read of THIS if you’ve not already seen it.

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

BonnieHSC — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 05:26:27 GMT

On 20/10/22 I was scammed by a guy I thought was an EE rep when I clicked on Google site.
His mobile contact carries a Carphone Warehouse logo and the number is +441905570854 and he called himself Arbaz Ali Bukhari aged 23 and I even saw a glimpse of his face when I insisted on seeing him on WhatsApp .A pity I was not fast enough to take a shot of his face! I foolishly gave him my bank details ! He debited my bank account with different items of mobile contacts which he later deleted . When I insisted on cancelling the order he sent a Royal Mail return stamp and address to return the new mobile. I took a photo of the package and returned . address .
The mobile S14 was sent to me under EE packaging after EE confirmed by email my new order . I m an existing EE customer. Managed to inform EE fraud dept . when I received an EE order confirmation.
i googled the return address sadly only after the return of the new mobile. The address Is a private home address. I want the police to raid that address which I am sure is where the scammer or his gang lives .

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Leanne_T — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 07:04:39 GMT

Hi @BonnieHSC

Thanks for coming to the community.

Was the amount debited the correct amount you were advised?

Have you now returned the device?

Leanne.

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

BonnieHSC — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 08:03:36 GMT

Hello,
The mobile was returned to an address which was not SE, when the scammer
sent me a Royal Mail free return mail which I took a photo of the return
package containing the new EE iPhone S14 seen below . I suspect that is the
address of the scammer. I intend to report to the police in that borough to
go ransack the address and arrest him.

BonnieHSC ( xxx xxxx xxxxxxx)

[Mod edit: Please do not post personal information on the public board. Thanks!]

Re: Mobile phone contract/upgrade scam

Leanne_T — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 07:15:20 GMT

Hi @BonnieHSC

Have you spoken to our mobile care team to see if the caller is part of our partners? Details can be found in our What numbers will EE partners call from? Help page.

Has the order now been cancelled?

Leanne.