Short answer: it's a scam. Real phone companies don't call out of the blue to give away free phones, and they never ask you to post a device to a PO Box.
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How the trick works
In October 2026, RCMP police on Vancouver Island in Canada warned about a clever bait and switch. It runs in four steps:
- The call. Someone posing as your phone company says you qualify for a free new phone.
- The delivery. You agree, and a real phone actually arrives at your door.
- The switch. Soon after, they call back to say the wrong phone was sent by mistake.
- The return. They email you a prepaid shipping label and ask you to send the phone to a PO Box, often far away.
Once it's posted, the phone is gone for good. And during the "ordering", you may already have given them your ID number, passwords, or card details.
Never post a device to a PO Box because someone on the phone told you to, especially if the address is in another city or country.
Warning signs
- An unexpected call offering something free from your phone company.
- Requests for your ID number, passwords, or card details to "process" the free phone.
- A sudden "mistake" that means you need to send the phone back.
- A return address that is a PO Box, not a store or the company's official returns center.
What to do
- Hang up on unexpected calls offering free phones.
- Call your phone company yourself using the number on your bill or in its official app, and ask whether the offer is real.
- If a phone you didn't order arrives, call your phone company before you do anything with it, and check your account for any new contract or upgrade in your name.
If you already sent it or shared details
- Tell your phone company straight away so they can check your account.
- Change any passwords you shared, starting with your email and phone account.
- If you gave card details, call your bank using the number on the back of your card.
- Report it to the police or your country's fraud reporting service.
The rule is easy to remember: free gifts don't come with a return label.
Source: Today in BC: RCMP warn of bait and switch free mobile phone scam
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This is one trick out of dozens. The Scam-Proof Playbook covers fake phone company calls, delivery tricks, identity theft, and more, in plain language, with real examples.