In March, Brianna MacKay received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a Rogers employee, offering a discounted phone plan along with a complimentary iPad. Familiar with a similar offer in the past, MacKay accepted without hesitation, as no personal details were requested during the call, making it seem legitimate. Following instructions to sign up for the promotion on the Rogers app, she received the iPad by mail, followed by another call from someone claiming to be from the Rogers activation department.
The caller informed MacKay of an error, stating she would need to pay for a data plan for the iPad, contrary to her initial understanding of no charges involved. Feeling deceived, MacKay returned the iPad as advised by the scammers, only to realize the device was sent to an address in Brampton, not back to Rogers. This revelation exposed the scam, leaving MacKay burdened with a $120 monthly bill for an iPad she no longer possessed, having unknowingly signed up for an iPad financing agreement and data plan with Rogers.
Facing financial strain due to the unexpected charges, MacKay and another victim of the same scam sought relief from Rogers, requesting the company to cease charging them, a plea that was declined. Despite a one-time $50 “goodwill gesture” offered to MacKay and the other victim, the monthly bills persisted until CBC News intervened, prompting Rogers to waive the $20 monthly service fee for the data plan. However, both individuals remain liable for the costly iPads, each priced at $2,350.
In a similar scheme, Jeong Park, a Toronto senior, fell victim to the scam after being promised a discounted internet plan by a fake Rogers representative offering a bundled deal on home phone and internet services. Unaware that her driver’s license photo submission would lead to her enrollment in a two-year iPad financing program, Park found herself entangled in the fraudulent activity. Despite efforts to seek restitution from Rogers, her son-in-law expressed disappointment at the minimal compensation offered by the company, emphasizing the inadequacy of a $50 credit for an expensive iPad financing plan.
Both MacKay and Park reported the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local authorities, in addition to lodging complaints with the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services. The trend of these scams, where victims unwittingly sign up for costly agreements, has prompted increased vigilance among law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers. The Canadian Telecommunications Association underscores the seriousness of such threats, emphasizing ongoing efforts to safeguard consumers and collaborate with relevant authorities to combat fraudulent activities targeting individuals nationwide.