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ZDNET's key takeaways
A phone call telling you to return a new phone may be a scam.
The scammer simply keeps your phone instead of replacing it.
Hang up on such calls and contact the carrier directly.
The next time you receive a new mobile phone through the mail, be wary if someone calls claiming that you were sent the wrong device and that you need to return it. That could be a scammer looking to get their hands on your expensive new gadget.
This scam has hit close to home, as one of our editors here at ZDNET was almost a victim. Hours after getting a new phone from Spectrum through the mail, she received a call that was tagged as legitimate. Claiming to be from Spectrum, the person on the other end knew her name, address, and the type of phone she had ordered.
Also: Beware the 'Hi, how are you?' text. It's a scam - here's how it works
The alleged representative told her that a mix-up had occurred with the phone and that she would need to send it back. Heading into a meeting, our editor said she'd call back later to discuss the issue. The rep insisted that he would call her back, which is when she realized this was a scam.
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