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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 targeted. 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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