Oak Bay Police Warn of Telus Phone Scam Targeting Residents
A new warning has been issued in Oak Bay after scammers posing as Telus representatives have been making calls to residents. Police say the scheme has already claimed at least one victim, and the concern is that others may be targeted if the word doesn’t get out quickly.
The investigation began on September 5th, when a resident reached out to Oak Bay police after receiving what seemed like a legitimate call from Telus. On the line was someone claiming to represent the company, offering a deal that sounded appealing — lower monthly phone bills and a brand-new device, as long as the current phone was mailed in first. Trusting the offer, the resident sent their phone to the address provided. But as you might guess, no replacement phone ever arrived.
When police followed up with Telus, the company confirmed that the offer was fraudulent. And unfortunately, this scam isn’t unique to Oak Bay. Similar reports have surfaced across Canada, where fraudsters use the Telus name to trick people into handing over their devices. Once the phone is sent off, victims are left without their old device, without a new one, and potentially even at risk of further identity theft if any personal information was stored on the phone.
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Authorities are stressing that residents need to be cautious when approached with unsolicited offers, no matter how convincing they might sound. If a call like this comes in, police advise that you hang up right away and contact your service provider directly through their official channels. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has echoed this message, pointing out that scammers often use high-pressure tactics to make people act quickly without thinking.
Nationally, the scale of fraud is significant. As of June 30th, 2025, more than 24,000 reports of fraud had been processed in Canada, with over 17,000 confirmed victims. Losses have already surpassed $342 million this year alone. Numbers like that highlight how common and costly scams have become — and why reminders like this are important.
The Anti-Fraud Centre also provides some practical advice: never feel pressured into saying yes, take the time to verify who you are dealing with, and never give out personal or financial information to someone who reaches out unexpectedly. Be wary of upfront fees, and remember that spoofing — where a scammer disguises their phone number to make it look legitimate — is a common trick.
Oak Bay police are urging anyone who may have received a suspicious call to report it. If you’ve already fallen victim, it’s important to contact police and your phone provider immediately. Residents with tips can also reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
At the end of the day, the message is clear: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Taking a moment to double-check could be the difference between protecting your information and becoming the next victim.
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