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Telus Warns Customers About Fake Do-Not-Call List Scam

8:55 am on November 28, 2008 | Category: Email, Telecom Services, Wireless

Canadian cell phone operator, Telus Mobility, is warning its customers to avoid an ongoing email scam, which impersonates the recently-established do-not-call list system, and may involve identify theft.

The fake email apparently tells recipients that they are being charged for incoming telemarketing calls on their Telus cell phones, but can stem this cost by registering for the do-not-call list. It urges customers to call one of two phone numbers, or register for the list by providing personal information over the internet.

The email also claims that Telus plans to sell its customers’ names and contact information to telemarketers, which is not true, according to Telus’ media relations director, Jim Johannsson.

One of the phone numbers provided in the fraudulent email was a legitimate number for Canada’s do-not-call registry, but the other one is apparently connected to a U.S. firm which collects and sells phone lists to telemarketers. It is also possible that the scheme is connected to identity theft, although this has yet to be confirmed.

“The fact is that it’s not legitimate and that means it’s dangerous. Customers should stay away,” Johannsson said in an interview with CTV.ca.

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