If you receive a phone from three you didn't order and you are asked to return it, it is a scam

[andreapisauro]

about a month and half ago, I received a call from someone pretending to be a 3 representatives and offering me deals. I occasionally receive calls like this from 3 so it didn't sound suspicious. After telling him that I did not want to upgrade my phone, he offered me a sim only deal slightly cheaper than what I was paying now. So I said I was interested. I don't remember what exactly happened but I believe I asked to make an order for this sim only deal. I was told I would receive the sim the following day.

The following day I got a call in the morning from the same number advising me that a package with a new sim would arrive in the afternoon. Later in the afternoon a package from three arrived and it included a sim and an iphone. I was surprised as I never ordered the iphone. Shortly afterwards, the same guy called me again saying the iphone was delivered by mistake and whether he could arrange someone to pick it up. I said I wouldn't be home and then I was told I would receive a QR label and if I could please send the iphone through the post office. I received the QR label through a whatsapp number called three.co.uk.

I genuinely believed the error was real as the delivery was indeed from Three and it happened at the time I was supposed to receive the new sim. The guy on the phone looked like a somewhat incompetent employee eager to sort out his own mess. So I complied and send back the iphone through the QR label.

A few days later I logged onto my account and saw an iphone package. I recognised it was linked to the delivery I received and I immediately contacted three customer service which therefore detected the fraud.

The thing that worried me particularly was that whoever called me had access to my three account and could order the iphone that I received and then sent back to the fraudster.

Be aware that if you receive a phone you didn't order, it is likely to be a fraud.

[Gillimp]

I had this call yesterday, fortunately I realised at the last minute, I also got a text from 3 at the time of the call so it all looked very convincing. I didn't click on the emails sent. and basically told them they are a bunch of thieves 

[andreapisauro]

Hi Mirage, in my  case, Three didn't charge me and all was resolved once it was ascertained that I was victim of a scam. A security pin was added to the account and that was it. So I am happy with how Three reacted but I agree with those who said  that a preventing measures such as texting the order before sending it would help preventing the frauds in the first place.

[Mirage]

Thanks for replying, good to know we're not being charged on something we didn't purchase. I 100% agree there should be a preventing measure like you said, would've certainly stopped me from getting scammed.

[AnK]

For me, I was charged by as shown on the transaction as “The Coda Shop EU”. Although 3 cancelled the order because when the payment went through, they didn’t call me back as promised. But since it from a shop, not from 3, the bank  didn’t refund me either. The transaction wasn’t big £35 but I lost the money (although I received no phone).

[Mirage]

This is exactly what happened to me! I am dealing with the fraud investigation now, and they said the investigation will take up to 21 days so I am really worried now, just wondering did you ended up getting charged with the Iphone? 
Please can anyone else also commented did they get charged or not if you have experienced this type of fraud.

[Mike2024]

Well done for spotting the scam early. Check your bank account daily especially if you also gave them your card details - they will quickly try to use them. Alert your bank if you haven't already and cancel your card if necessary. I signed up with ClearScore for peace of mind for a few months at £4.99 monthly. You can also register with CIFAS although Three may well do that for you. You will possibly now get very many scam calls to your phone, as I did - see if your phone has a Smart block app on it to identify most of these. You can inform the police and get an incident number if you like.

My issue has only now just been sorted - 15 weeks - and I received an apology and a small amount of compensation from Three for the time taken. Hopefully yours will be resolved much quicker though!

[Donnachie]

Hi Kate, yes this has been raised with your team and my account is being investigated for fraud and I have spoken with customer services. The parcel was not delivered and the order is being cancelled. 

Thank you 

[JonathanB]

Hi @Donnachie,

Thanks for confirming this, I'm sorry to hear that this has happened in the first place, but you've taken the right steps to get this addressed so far. @Mike2024 has replied with a few tips that may help you, and we have a Fraud to watch out for page on the Three website, that has lots of guidance and links which you may find helpful.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[Donnachie]

This also happened to me today, I unfortunately was stupid enough to share my bank details and since have seen an order placed on my account. 
Do you recommend I reject the parcel from DPD or let it arrive. I don't want to receive it as it sounds like @Mike2024 has had a nightmare with it all