Hello Maplepower2,
Welcome to the community!
Sorry to hear your account had been hacked. Glad to hear you were able to cancel the order and second phone line when you did, though.
@Maplepower2 wrote:
.... The hardware was being sent to my correct address so what would they gain? ..
Anyway, my point is: since ordering hardware and a new line doesn't really benefit the scammers, what is their long game here? ....
Unfortunately, there have been many SCAMs going on recently. One particular SCAM involves the scammers calling customers and informing they have a promotion on a certain device. After getting enough details to order a device, they notify the customer that they made a mistake and ordered the wrong device and tell customers to return the device providing an return address. However, the address they provide for the return is not that from Fido. For an example, see here.
While your situation might not have been exactly the same as the one outlined above, it's possible they might try to resort to a similar method of obtaining the device. If you are required to return a device, make sure you contact Fido customer support directly in order to obtain proper information regarding its return.
With regards to the SPAM calls, it's possible the two might not be related. I understand it can be upsetting to have received calls from people thinking you've been calling them. The calls are scammers or spammers using spoofed numbers. In your cases, they happen to have spoofed your phone number. Unfortunately, there isn't much providers can do to prevent SPAM calls. As you are aware, the numbers shown on caller ID do not belong to the spammers. They often belong to innocent, unsuspecting people -- such as yourself. Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done to prevent numbers from being spoofed. Even the RCMP are not immune to being spoofed (see here, here, etc).
Rest assured that it is unlikely your phone number has been hacked. While they may have been able to gain access to your account, it's not possible to make/receive calls or send/receive text messages without your SIM (physical or eSIM). All phone numbers -- whether landline or mobile -- are in databases which are readily available online. Certain prefixes are designated as landlines, others as Rogers, Fido, Bell, etc. All a spammer/scammer needs to do is have a computer sequentially dial the numbers of a desired area code/prefix combination from 0000 to 9999 and all of those customers would be with their desired target (see here). The spammers/scammers will often pick a phone number within that area code/prefix to spoof.
That said, one possible concern might be SIM-swap fraud. That SCAM involves scammers porting your number to another service without your permission. That's why many providers now require port request verification (usually via text to current SIM) prior to number porting. If you are still able to make/receive calls and/or send/receive text messages, you would still have control of your SIM and phone line.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello Calvinpovo20,
Welcome to the community!
Thanks for your precautionary tale! I think everyone is frustrated with all of the SCAM calls going around.
@CALVINPOVO20 wrote:
... I really don't know what they are trying to archieve ...
I think one of the goals of those SCAM calls is to collect information and possibly gain access to your account. The more information the can collect, the greater the possibility they can access a customers' account. Unfortunately, once a customer's account is compromised, scammers can make unauthorised device purchases and have them sent to their address. Alternatively, they can have the devices sent to the customer and have them return the devices to a fraudulent address.
The unfortunate reality is that customer information is big money. Even if the scammers do not intend on using the collected information for themselves, they can sell the information to other nefarious characters.
Hope this helps 😀
Cheers
Hello @JessiSohawtzky
To verify the details of the call you received, it will be necessary to contact our customer service.
You can find all the ways to reach our team here.
Hood for you @Cebuana1975 , fido will never call you and ask those questions for something they are offering you. You would get an email or text to let you know to check your app or online account. Even if it was legit, you were right to hang up
