Rogers customers say they were tricked into signing up for iPad financing agreements after fraudsters posed as company representatives offering discounted plans and “free” devices. Victims say they were later instructed to return the iPads using fake shipping labels, leaving them without the devices but still responsible for thousands of dollars in payments.

Some Rogers customers say they have been left paying for iPads they no longer have after falling victim to a scam involving fake promotions, device financing agreements, and fraudulent return labels.

According to the report, Oakville, Ontario resident Brianna MacKay received a call in March from someone claiming to be a Rogers employee. The caller offered her a cheaper phone plan and a free iPad. MacKay said the offer initially appeared legitimate because she had received a similar promotion in the past and the caller did not ask for personal information.

The caller allegedly walked her through signing up for the promotion through the Rogers app. A few days later, the iPad arrived in the mail. MacKay then received another call from someone claiming to be with Rogers’ activation department, who told her there had been a mistake and that she would have to pay for a data plan connected to the device.

MacKay said she objected, explaining that she had confirmed during the original call that there would be no charges. She was then allegedly told the issue could be resolved by returning the iPad. The caller sent her a shipping label, and she mailed the device back.

The problem was that the iPad was not returned to Rogers. It was sent to a home in Brampton. MacKay later realized she had not been speaking with Rogers employees and had instead been tricked into sending away a device that had been financed under her account. She said she was left with a monthly bill for an iPad she no longer possessed, along with a data plan.

Another victim, 74-year-old Jeong Park, was reportedly targeted in a similar scam after receiving a call from someone claiming to offer a better home phone and internet deal. Although she was not an active Rogers customer at the time, Park had previously used the company’s services. The fraudster allegedly instructed her to send a photo of her driver’s licence and then used that information to sign her up for a two-year iPad financing program.

Park was also sent a return shipping label, but the label directed the device to a home in Edmonton rather than to Rogers.

The cases show how this type of scam differs from many common fraud schemes. Instead of convincing victims to send money directly, fraudsters persuade them to accept a legitimate device and then ship it to an address controlled by the scammers. The victim is left without the device while still being financially responsible for the financing agreement.

Rogers said it warns customers not to return devices to any address other than an official Rogers return address and said it will never call customers asking them to return a device. The company said return scams are affecting consumers across industries and that it uses emails, package inserts, and online information to educate customers.

The victims told the news outlet that Rogers initially refused to cancel the device financing. After media inquiries, the company reportedly removed the $20 monthly data-plan fee and offered a one-time $50 goodwill credit, but the customers remained responsible for the cost of the iPads, which were reported to be $2,350 each.

Fraud prevention officials say the scam has been tracked by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre since 2022. They describe it as a form of service scam, where criminals impersonate legitimate service providers. Unlike many frauds, this scheme may not create the same immediate pressure or urgency, making it harder for victims to recognize the danger.

Police also warned that scammers may use vacant homes, sorting facilities, or random addresses to receive fraudulently obtained devices. In some cases, fraudsters or associates may wait for the package to be delivered and then retrieve it from the doorstep.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported that Canadians lost more than $19.5 million to service-type scams last year, with thousands of reports filed. In the first three months of this year, reported losses were already approximately $8.9 million. Officials continue to caution that fraud remains significantly underreported.

The scam serves as a reminder that customers should independently verify any unexpected phone offer from a telecommunications provider. Anyone receiving a call about a promotion, device return, or account change should contact the company directly through a trusted number or official app before agreeing to new terms, submitting identification, or mailing back equipment.

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Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.