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

[B-home]

I had just received similar call this morning.

local number saying bell upgrading fibre and needs to change the modem.

click 1 for details … unprofessional person on the line. Definitely not Bell. Hang up.

[Julie_KC]

thank you for this post. I know it's old but I had this exact same experience today. It was rather alarming because the person even arranged an appointment time to come into my unit, and I was completely convinced it was Bell. I feel incredibly stupid, but I hung up mid phone call. These scams are the worst. It can throw you off. 

[Bengen]

I had the same thing happen to me this morning. The only difference is they wanted me to run something from a non-Bell website on my computer. I told him I'm not going to do that and I hung up.

It was the same story as yours. Plus they called before 8 AM which I thought was strange.

[Mamc]

I just received a call, on my land line, from a local number annd  unfortunately did not hang up. Message told  me to press 1 to set up delivery and time to have a new router. it was for a new modem for fibe network which I have actually been waiting for as I am essentially on a dial up still. 
I pressed the 1, and a man answered. I was asked to log into btd.care or something like that. I typed it into computer but I did not press enter as at the last minute as I felt it was not right.. ( did not look official or bell related on the screen). So I did not press enter and go to the next step and open whatever it was. Instead I told the man I was going to call Bell myself and ask them directly then I hung up. Immediately I got a call from another unknown area code.. did not answer. I hope they were not able to get into my system or computer with just that? Would they be able to do that?

[Julie_KC]

The person who called me was trying to get me to type something into my browser also. I was in the middle of something, so I told him I would run the speed test later (he claimed it was a "special" link for a speed test). I was distracted, but I noticed he became increasingly agitated when I didn't input this link he requested. I'm thinking this is the main part of the scam, but since you didn't click send, it seems like it's probably safe. It's so frustrating how common these scams are. 

[Vanadiel · Accepted solution]

Never go to a web site that is not bell.ca when dealing with any Bell related issues.

Anybody who's trying to get you to enter a web address is a scammer. Simply hang up and call Bell directly if you have any questions about services they offer.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

@Julie_KC @Bengen @Mamc 

Kudos to each of you for doing the right thing!

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

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.

[Susan2]

I had a similar experience. And I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't immediately click into all of the red flags that were waving, including that the caller was overly pushy. Also, the reception was rather fuzzy. I regret giving him my email address. He even set up an appointment for me on Friday after 1 p.m. I certainly won't be home after 1 p.m. on Friday. I will ignore all further calls. I hope he doesn't know where I live. And what would he do if he arrived to give me a new modem? All very scary!!!!

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

As you already known, this was not Bell calling. It was a fraudster trying to scam you. Were you expecting an upgraded or replacement modem, etc.? There is no modem coming on Friday afternoon.

It is unfortunate that you provided him with your email address.

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!

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!

Please check out the following web links that I have provide for you below:

Service provider impersonation scam - Bell

Ten most common scams - Bell

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

Take care.

[Limey66]

I  just received a phone call from someone saying they were bell canada and they were upgrading the lines here to fiber and as an existing customer they wanted to give me a new modem at no charge. Is this legit or a scam?? She said to press 1 to speak to a technician and I did but then got scared and hung up...how can I make sure this is legitimate?

[Vanadiel]

That would have been a scam.

[Limey66]

Oh,OK, ty  I  hope they didn't get anything g because I pressed 1...we have been told that fibe was coming to our area and I'd love to get it that's why I clicked but then freaked out lol

[WelshTerrier]

@Limey66  Please do not fret. We are here to support you. As you already known, this was not Bell calling. It was a fraudster trying to scam you.

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!

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!

Please check out the following web links that I have provide for you below:

Service provider impersonation scam - Bell

Thank you for sharing this with the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

[allan1]

The scam is still going on.  Just received a recorded message claiming to be from Bell.  It asked me to press 1 to get my new free router for Bell fibe.  Since I already have Bell fibe for all my services, I just hung up.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Kudos to you! As you already known, this was not Bell calling. It was a fraudster trying to scam you. You did the right thing.

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!

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!

Please check out the following web links that I have provided for you below:

Service provider impersonation scam - Bell

Ten most common scams - Bell

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

Take care.