A malicious group of scammers have been contacting Canadians claiming to represent WhistleOut Canada. Fraudsters claiming to be from WhistleOut will attempt to gain access to your cell phone account while promising to lower monthly bills and finding you a good deal on a new phone. If you receive a call, email or text claiming to be from WhistleOut and promising to get you a better deal on a smartphone or cell phone plan, hang up immediately. Even a short conversation with this scam group can result in losing of thousands of dollars.
It's important to understand that WhistleOut adheres to CASL Anti-Spam laws and will never contact you without permission.
How The Scam Works
The scammer first contacts you offering to find a better monthly plan. Any information you give to the fraudster can be used to access your account. Eventually, you may be promised a good deal on one or more smartphones.
The fraudster orders the wrong smartphone (or multiple smartphones) from your carrier. The devices are sent to your home so that it doesn't raise any red flags. Once you receive the package and confirm that the wrong device was sent, you're asked to "return" the phones to an address where the scammer will take possession of the smartphone, Rogers SIM card and potentially your phone number.
Your name, mobile provider, drivers license number and credit card may also be shared with the scammer. This information can be used to access your mobile account, bank account and more. If you feel that you've been a target of a phone scam, it's important that you immediately stop all communications with fraudster and contact the authorities.
What To Do If I Get Scammed?
If you’ve been scammed or believe you may have been a victim of fraud, follow these steps immediately:
- Stop any further communication with the scammer
- Write down all information you shared, no matter how insignificant. Collect all emails and documents. Write down details of any phone calls including time, date, phone number and the length of the call. The Federal Competition Bureau has a full list of potential evidence for you to collect.
- Contact your local police. Once you make a report, you’ll receive a file number. Report any new suspicious activity on your accounts using that same file number.
- Notify your financial institution(s). Even if you haven’t shared bank information, sophisticated fraudsters may attempt to use the personal information you provided.
- Contact relevant companies discussed by the scammer. For example, if the topic was cell phone plans, contact your mobile provider to ensure they didn’t register any recent changes or purchases. You may need the file number you received from the authorities. You can contact WhistleOut here.
For more information, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre web site and read more about what to do if you’re a victim.
Signs It’s a Scam
WhistleOut Canada will never contact you unexpectedly by phone, email or text. The scammer may claim you reached out first, but if you don't remember then don't chance it. End all communications.
The scammer will claim that our office is at 343 Bloor St East, Toronto; or based in Montreal. This is not true. Hang up immediately.
Scammer emails may appear to be from WhistleOut at first glance, but if you're suspicious then take a closer look at the header information. It may appear that the email is coming from WhistleOut, but it doesn't originate from our site.
Names and Emails the Scammers are Using
Although this scam is relatively new in Canada, WhistleOut has witnessed it operating in other countries. Here are some of the names used by this scam group.
- Nikhil
- Ali Kazemi
- Raj (Rajvinder)
- Abdul
- Harry
- Mary or Merry
- Anna
- Dexter Morgan
- Steve Roger
- Eliza
- Kiran
- Noor
Email addresses used by the fraudster may have "whistleout" before the '@', but not after it. This is a telltale sign that someone is only posing as a representative of WhistleOut Canada:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
Please note that none of these email addresses end with “@whistleout.com”. Phone numbers can be spoofed, so it's difficult to track fake numbers that appear on your call display. If you receive any call from an unfamiliar number, be aware that it could be a scammer.
Helpful Things to Know About WhistleOut
- WhistleOut is an informative comparison website for cell phone plans, internet plans, and TV
- WhistleOut does not sell products or plans to the general public
- We adhere to CASL Anti-Spam laws and never make unsolicited calls
- We do not ask for your personal information
- WhistleOut does not have an office at 343 Bloor St. East, Toronto, Montreal nor anywhere in Labrador
Scam Emails
The following are some screen shots of emails sent by these scammers. Early communication may claim to send you a new cell phone (or cell phones) with instructions to call them once you receive the package.
The deal will seem too good to be true, because it is. Next you'll be asked for personally identifying information. Do not hand this information over or your identity can be stolen.
Once you receive the package by mail, you find a different (and usually more expensive) smartphone inside. The fraudster claims they will send you a replacement, and possibly sweeten the deal with a free Apple Watch. This package will never arrive.
You will then be instructed to send the first package to a "warehouse", but in reality this is just a pickup point for the scam group. Once the package is sent, the fraudster will have possession of equipment bought from your carrier in your name.
These scammers are even using our logos to appear official.
Is WhistleOut Canada Safe?
Yes, WhistleOut Canada is a safe comparison site for Canadians. We provide tools to help you find the best device and mobile plan for your needs. WhistleOut shows you plans from almost every Canadian mobile carrier on one simple page, but we will never contact you to find a better plan. Only scammers pretend to do that.
You never need to provide personal information to find the best plan with WhistleOut Canada. Our site can further personalize results based on your existing carrier and address, but submitting those details is optional. Your security is important to us, which is why we feel it’s important that we warn you about this scam. Read our guide to defend yourself against phone scams since we might not be the only company these scammers are impersonating.
Find a better phone plan
Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
Related Articles
Find Better Phones and Plans
Hundreds of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
