TL;DR: On September 10, 2026, Nanaimo RCMP warned that residents who received new phones through legitimate carrier promotions were later contacted by someone posing as the provider. The caller said the wrong device had shipped, and a prepaid return label sent the phone to a private address or mail drop. Victims may be liable for the cost.
What happened
The RCMP release says one Nanaimo resident was affected. Scammers appeared to know details about recent phone purchases and deliveries, though police do not know how they obtained that information. Victims were emailed a prepaid return label, shipped the phone, and learned later that the label sent it to a private address or mail drop instead of the provider.
The release does not state a dollar figure and mentions no charges.
Why it works
The caller knows what you bought and when, so the request sounds like routine customer service. A prepaid label removes the usual friction of returning something.
Because the phone never reaches the carrier, the customer can be left liable for its cost.
Background: our explainers on smishing and spear phishing. See also Barrie Woman Loses C$56,000 to Fake Bank Investigator Call and Charges Laid Over Alleged Fake Online Passport Service in Canada.
What the RCMP advise
- Contact your provider at a number you have verified before returning any device.
- Distrust return instructions from free email accounts or addresses with spelling errors.
- Confirm shipping addresses independently rather than trusting those sent by email or text.
- Monitor credit and financial accounts if your information may have been compromised, and contact your provider and the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 if targeted.
If you have already sent money
Call your bank or card issuer at once and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) and your local police. Our guides on reporting to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadian bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam walk through the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the phone return scam work?
Callers posing as a carrier say the wrong phone shipped, email a prepaid return label, and the label sends the phone to a private address or mail drop, according to Nanaimo RCMP on September 10, 2026.
Why does it seem credible?
Scammers appeared to know details about recent phone purchases and deliveries.
Could I be charged for the phone?
Yes. The RCMP note victims may be responsible for the phone’s cost.
What should I do before returning a phone?
Contact your provider at a number you have verified yourself and confirm the shipping address independently.
Sources
Related Reading
- Barrie Woman Loses C$56,000 to Fake Bank Investigator Call
- Charges Laid Over Alleged Fake Online Passport Service in Canada
- Doxo to Pay $2.1M Over Bill-Pay Ads Posing as Official Sites
- Canada Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live