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

[Picker]

Has anyone got “phone calls” supposedly from Bell advising of an upgrade to their system. I have had several and deleted them.

[JJC]

I just received the same robocall on my landline. Clearly this fraudulent operation, wherever it originates, is still going strong. I'm in Toronto, btw. 

[catlady13]

Received an automated message (that went to voice mail) from 519-886-**** (landline owned by Bell) requesting a return call to schedule an appointment for someone to install an upgraded router. No name appeared on call display.

No name given in the message--not the name of the caller or my name.

Is this legit?

[catlady13]

Thank you!

[Vanadiel]

Highly doubt that was a legit call.

[dks]

Yes, this was a scam. The sarcasm from the fraudster and the hangup was a giveaway. Good catch. 

[hasel]

I also got the same call this morning.  Said they were going to set up a time to replace my modem but first wanted me to sign onto my computer to check my security settings.  I told them I was busy at the moment and they said they would call back.  Since this call seemed suspicious, because it was a local phone number and did not come up as bell on my call display,  I called bell immediately to check the validity of this call and they verified that it was a scam.  

[Trevsmonster]

hello everyone

today I received a scam from a fraudster via phone call that I should’ve picked up on. I’m very aware of these. However, he called twice from numbers that looked identical to Bell. So take note… These are the numbers

1 – xxx–xxx–2352

1–xxx - xxx–2356

when I finally caught on… I had only given them my name and my email address. so they now have these and my phone number. I can expect to get a lot of spam, vishing and phishing. Beware!!! 

[Caesar]

Indeed, just a few minutes ago I received this fraudulent call about a supposed "upgrade"! I knew that it was fake as the number is obviously generated by a scam phone number generator, I deal with Bell only by login in to my account via my Web browser. Of, course, I did hang up and I blocked the number.

[seve b]

Received the same call. But gets better. Scammer offered her Bell ID for me to verify and a phone number to call her back. Basically wanted me to install some software "for security purposes" . It would give them access to control my laptop. so i hung up. watch out.

[Cozykate]

Received a call on my cellphone yesterday wanting to tell me about a promotion to my Bell account, which I did not understand as Bell does not have my cellphone number.  So I hung up.  Then this morning, my wife gets the same call on her cellphone, which Bell also does not have.  So she hung up.  And then this afternoon, a recording from Bell Canada comes on our home phone telling me I qualify for a free router upgrade, and to push one to arrange a time for the installer to come out.  As I was on another call, which was important, I just hung up on Bell.  I am now wondering if Bell is actually trying to get a hold of me, or is it a scam.  Has anyone else had this happen to them?

[Cozykate]

Thank you all!   Feeling much better about hanging up on these calls 👍

[WelshTerrier]

Kudos to you! You did the right thing!

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!

Service provider impersonation scam - Bell

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

Take care.

[Soannoyed]

Not sure if this is a new scam but I haven't seen comments about it yet. I received a phone call from a person who said that since I am a Bell customer, and Bell has been installing new fibre cable in my area (which they have) I am entitled to a new router. I was told to push "1" and would find out date and time it would be delivered to me. I pushed "1" and the call disconnected. I wasn't sure if it was legitimate and whether I should call Bell. I did nothing. In about two weeks I received a similar call and spoke to a woman who told me to do things that I knew would allow her to gain access to my computer, she said so that I could fill out a necessary form. I said I was not going to allow that and hung up. I wanted to report it.  

[EKCO]

Received a call form 902-462-**** - Automated message that there will be an upgrade to my modem  - Press 1 to schedule an exchange at no additional cost 

When the rep came on line - asked me if I was using a Mac or Windows (I have both)

Was asked to open my Windows computer so they could check speed and top some technical changes to accommodate the new modem - so I did turn on the computer - then I asked why can't I just do myself on line - I don't trust the process they are wanting to perform (My computer is another room) 

They offer to call me back so I could be near the computer - called from 416-565-****

After a bit of back and forth they gave me an employee ID # - When I asked what the address for service was ---they could not giver it and said it was for security reasons...when pressed and telling them I don't believe them, they hung up