Fraud Alert: Phone Call Offering a New Modem

[dks]

I received a strange phone call this morning. The number was a local call. When I picked up, the computer voice said they were calling from Bell and Bell was upgrading all lines to fibre. The voice offered a new modem for this new service and asked me to press 3 to enter my account information. 

Nope. Goodbye. 

First, I have Bell fibre and have had it for the last 18 months. Second, I have the latest modem, the Giga Hub. Finally, Bell doesn't ask for my account credentials on a cold call. 

Beware. Never, ever give your account information to an unsolicited caller like that. Stay safe, friends. 

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❗AI Summary:

This topic outlines a scam involving fraudulent phone calls targeting Bell Canada customers. The scam involves an unsolicited call with either a an automated or human voice claiming to represent Bell Canada. The voice announces an upgrade to fibre and/or offers a 'new modem' that can be provided. The voice then prompts the recipient to press a number to enter their account information.

The original poster identified this action or behaviour as fraudulent as they knew that Bell will never ask for account credentials in an unsolicited call.

Solutions and advice shared by users in the forum thread include:

• Never provide personal or account information to an unsolicited caller.
• If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of a call, the recommended course of action is to hang up and call Bell directly to verify the information or offer.
• Be aware that scammers can spoof caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from "Bell Canada". One user reported receiving a suspicious call where the caller knew their first name and general location, yet they correctly identified it as a scam and ended the call.
• Official Bell Moderators have confirmed the suspicion of fraudulent activity and has shared the following links to help recognize and prevent fraud:

What does fraud look like?

Do you suspect fraud? What to do next

Service provider impersonation scam

[itsme]

Had this call this morning, looks to be making the rounds again

[WelshTerrier]

As you now know by now, that was not Bell calling. It was a fraudster trying to scam you.

Hang up!

Never share any personal information with anyone you do not know or trust! Do not open web links or messages in Emails or text messages!

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with everyone in the Bell Community.

Take care.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Next time..... Just Hang up!

They will never give up until some form of government intervention blocks & prevents this from happenning.

Reputable companies such as Bell, banks, utilities & highly regarded services & institutions do not send you messages or make calls such as this! They do not call you asking to provide personal information. Hang up! Report the fraud! Delete!

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with everyone in the Bell Community.

Take care.

[WelshTerrier]

You did the right thing!

This was not Bell calling. It was a fraudster trying to scam you. Were you expecting a replacement modem?

Next time.... just hang up! There is no reason for you to talk to fraudsters. They want to talk to you. There is no requirement for you to connect with them in any way, shape or form.  They want to sell you something, steal something from you or add you to their live contact list! 

Reputable companies such as Bell, banks, utilities & highly regarded services & institutions do not send you messages or make calls such as this! They do not call you asking to provide personal information. Hang up! Report the fraud! Delete!

Never share any personal information with anyone you do not know or trust! Do not open web links or messages in Emails or text messages!

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with everyone in the Bell Community.

Take care.

[Taystar]

I received a phone call on my Bell home phone line telling me that Bell is upgrading every one’s internet router for free and I just needed to answer a couple of questions.

After a couple of basic questions I got suspicious for a couple of reasons, 1was when he asked what type of cell phone I use and the 2nd one was when he said the upgraded router was Free. (Everyone knows Bell doesn’t do anything for free)

At this time I asked for a phone number that I could call him back at and he hung up!

so be aware!!!

[Josie2]

I have been receiving recorded msg indicating Bell want to upgrade my router, is this legitimate

[Vanadiel]

No, it is highly unlikely it would be legitimate.

[WelshTerrier]

This was not Bell calling. It was a fraudster trying to scam you. Were you expecting an upgraded or replacement modem?

Just erase or hang up! There is no reason for you to talk to fraudsters. They want to talk to you. There is no requirement for you to connect with them in any way, shape or form.  They want to sell you something, steal something from you or add you to their live contact list! 

Reputable companies such as Bell, banks, utilities & highly regarded services & institutions do not send you messages or make calls such as this! They do not call you asking to provide personal information. Hang up! Report the fraud! Delete!

Never share any personal information with anyone you do not know or trust! Do not open web links or messages in Emails or text messages!

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with everyone in the Bell Community.

Take care.

[A1111]

Got a call claiming to be from Bell Canada. They stated that the local Bell Network was being upgraded to Fiber for faster connections (I already have a Fiber network connection). As a result they were calling to offer customers free Fiber Routers and they will send a Technician Home to do the install.

I was suspicious and when I asked questions they immediately disconnected. These calls have been coming repeatedly over the past few weeks. Bell should be alerting neighbors and customers of this fraud.

[BellPatricia]

Hey there @A1111

Welcome to the Bell Community 🙂

That definitely sounds like a scam call. Great instinct to ask the caller additional questions so you could find out more and determine if they are legitimate. 

For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud check out the Helpful replies above. You can also find additional information and tips in this How To: Service provider impersonation scam

The Community is here for you if you have any other questions.

@BellPatricia 

[jbel]

Thanks, @dks, I too received this call and warned my wife to always hang up no matter who calls about ANYTHING. If it's important, I'll check out the site.

[DiGal1130]

I have also received this  call multiple times.   From a 519 area code #.  It is so frustrating.  BEWARE

[Teddie]

I just got an automated call from “Bell” stating that they are upgrading Fibe in my area and wanting to set up an appointment for a new router. It sure sounded legit and as my neighbourhood had lost internet all weekend because a construction company cut a cable, it kinda made sense that they would improve service so I pressed 1 to speak with a tech who would set this up. The first thing I asked after I said that I was calling about a new router was “how do I know that this is not a scam?”  She replied that if I thought it was a scam, I shouldn’t have pressed 1 and hung up immediately- so I did.  Is this a scam?

[BellPatricia]

Hey there @Teddie 

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community 🙂

You did the right thing by hanging up, that call sounds very similar to the scam calls that other Community members have reported above.

Please also check out the Helpful replies. We have posted a few How To articles that will help guide you through learning more about detecting fraudulent calls, and what to do it you receive one.

Let the Community know if you have any other questions.

@BellPatricia 

[Jim 7]

I got a call saying Bell were updating our router, is this spam.???