Warning about scams targeting people who have just bought a new phone.

In recent years, online scams have been on the rise, employing increasingly sophisticated methods. Besides exploiting emails and text messages, fraudsters are now using phone calls to contact victims.

Some major tech companies, like Google, have even had to develop AI-powered fraud detection tools to help users identify suspicious behavior.

However, a new scam that has recently emerged targets people who have just bought or upgraded their phones. Worryingly, the scammers often have quite a bit of information about the victim's device, making the call seem more believable.

Scams involving impersonating sales units.

In some cases, scammers call and impersonate employees of the sales unit, informing the user that the device they just received was the wrong one. They then request that the phone be returned to the address provided in exchange for the "correct device."

This scam has been shared by users on social media forums. According to these reports, in some cases, after receiving a phone delivered by the delivery company, customers repeatedly receive calls from the same number. When answering, the caller identifies themselves as an employee of the seller and requests the return of the device because of a "wrong item delivered."

If the recipient becomes suspicious and requests the relevant customer information and account details related to the call, and is unable to provide this information, the caller will immediately become flustered and the call will be terminated.

Why is this type of scam dangerous?

The scammer's goal is quite simple: to get the victim to send them their phone number.

If users trust and send their devices to the address provided by the fraudsters, the phone may be resold on the market or used to exploit personal data or for other fraudulent activities.

In an era where smartphones are increasingly valuable and contain a great deal of important personal information, losing a device can entail significant security and financial risks.

How to avoid receiving suspicious calls

Experts advise users to be vigilant when receiving calls related to orders or accounts. If you encounter such a situation, keep the following basic principles in mind:

- Do not provide personal information, OTP codes, or account data to callers.

- Do not send equipment or money as requested by unknown callers.

- End the call immediately if you sense anything unusual.

- Contact the store where you purchased the item directly to verify the information.

Many retailers also claim that they rarely call customers to ask for account information or to return devices unless there is a clear verification process in place.

Such scams often target people who have just bought a new phone because at this time users are more likely to believe that there might be an error in their order. This becomes even more noticeable as new smartphone models are constantly being released.

In the context of increasingly sophisticated online scams, carefully verifying information and only working with official channels is the best way to avoid falling into the traps of fraudsters. Even a moment of carelessness can cost users both their devices and important data.