iPhone Promotion Scam

People around the globe are receiving calls from scammers claiming to work for major mobile carriers. The fraudsters often advertise “exclusive promotions” on the latest iPhones or premium models.

Here is how it typically works:

• The scammer "helps" the victim place an order, but the wrong device arrives.
• When the victim calls back, the scammer claims it was a “mistake” and instructs the victim to return the phone directly to them for a replacement.
• Once the victim ships the phone to the address provided, the scammer vanishes with the device.

Telecom companies in North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond have warned customers about this trick, noting that fraudsters use  personal information provided by the victim to create fake orders in the victim’s name.

📵 Other Cellphone Scams Worldwide

📞 SIM Swap Fraud - Carriers in multiple countries have reported cases where scammers convince providers to transfer the victims phone number to a SIM card under their control. With the victims number, the scammers can reset banking and social media passwords.

🎣 Phishing Texts or Emails - Global mobile users are bombarded with fake delivery or refund texts. The links redirect to phishing websites designed to steal login credentials or payment details.

👤 Impersonation Calls - Scammers impersonate customer service agents from Vodafone, AT&T, Telstra, Airtel, and other carriers. They pressure you to provide sensitive data under the guise of account verification. This information is then used for scams such as the aforementioned SIM Swap

📦 Delivery Diversion Scams - In many regions, scammers order expensive smartphones under stolen identities and then reroute deliveries to their address before the real customer even knows an order was made.

💸 Online Marketplace Cons - From Facebook Marketplace to Craigslist and others, fraudsters post “brand new iPhones” at too-good-to-be-true prices. Buyers often end up with fake devices, stolen goods, or nothing at all.

🔐 Protect Yourself 

• Always verify offers through your carrier’s official website or app.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited calls or texts promising promotions.
• Never send a phone to a private address claiming to be “customer service.”
• Activate two-factor authentication on carrier, email, and bank accounts.
• Report suspicious activity to your carrier and local authorities.
• If you are scammed and your account information was taken, contact your provider and activate a SIM transfer lock
• If you were scammed and it involved a credit card or debit card, contact your financial institution.
• Report all scams to your government scam prevention authority. If you are a victim of a scam, contact your local police.

Cellphone scams are a global epidemic, targeting victims across every continent. Fraudsters evolve their tricks quickly, but the warning signs remain the same: too-good-to-be-true offers, pressure to act fast, and requests to bypass official channels. Staying cautious and informed is the best defense.