Phone fraud is a widespread problem throughout North America that can be reduced by using care and common sense.
These are some steps that you can take to protect yourself against phone fraud:
- Check your monthly phone bill carefully for any unusual charges.
- If you get a collect call, make sure you know who the caller is; otherwise, don't accept it.
- Don't let strangers use your phone; if you do, dial their call yourself.
- Never tell anyone your Calling Card PIN.
- When you use your Calling Card at a pay phone, make sure no one is watching you key in your PIN.
- Be careful when surfing the Web. Some sites will try to draw you in with a free offer, then download a program that commands your browser to dial a long distance number — and you get billed for the call. Internet auto-diallers.
- When travelling outside the country, use Canada Direct™ to avoid unexpected charges on your phone bill.
Calls to some area codes can be considered overseas calls even when the number begins with 1 (i.e. 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX). For information on these area codes, e-mail us at security.bell.fraud@bell.ca
You can help stop fraud rings by immediately contacting Bell Customer Service if you notice any unusual activity on your phone line.
For information on types of phone fraud and how to avoid them or to report an unusual incident, contact the Fraud Control Centre - Bell at security.bell.fraud@bell.ca
Last Updated:31/01/2013