Lethbridge Police Service warning residents about used cell phone scam, March 2023. (Photo: File photo)

By Sarah Jones

Lethbridge Police Service warning residents about used cell phone scam

Mar 4, 2023 | 7:55 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is reminding the public to stay vigilant when buying a used cell phone from a stranger.

While this is not a new scam, police have issued the warning due to a recent incident that resulted in one individual regretting a transaction that left them without a working cell phone.

Police say the scam works like this: the fraudster will sell a used cell phone, usually of a newer model, and the buyer validates that the phone works before purchasing it, but a short time later the phone permanently turns off.

The LPS says in these cases, fraudsters will buy a new phone with zero money down or a very small deposit, and finance the outstanding balance. Then they turn around and sell the phone for cash, then default on the contract, which results in it being blacklisted.

Once a phone has been blacklisted, it cannot be connected to wireless networks, meaning the new owner usually has no help from the provider, so the victim is out of the money and the phone.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Police say other variations include the scammer selling a stolen phone or selling a phone from a contract upgrade. Then the swindler reports it as lost or stolen and makes a claim to have it replaced, while pocketing the unsuspecting buyer’s cash.

The LPS encourages people to check their used phone IMEI number with Device Check Canada to see if it has been blacklisted. However, police say in cases where the scammer reports the phone as lost or stolen, or defaults on the contract after selling the device, doing an initial check before the sale won’t identify any issues.

Police say in cases where stolen phones are re-sold, scammers will work to sell them quickly because it can take up to 48 hours from the time a report is made before a device is added to the blacklist.

LPS states in a release, “The best way to avoid being victimized is to only buy cell phones from reputable distributors or someone you know and trust.”

Read more at Lethbridge News Now.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.