Erie County, NY – Authorities are warning residents about a new scam targeting people who recently purchased iPhones.
According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, two residents reported receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to represent Spectrum shortly after their iPhones were delivered. The callers allegedly told victims that they had been “accidentally shipped a refurbished phone” and needed to return it via UPS to receive the correct device.
Deputies say this is a nationwide scam that has recently reached Erie County. Victims who comply risk losing their newly purchased phones, as the shipping address provided by the scammers does not belong to Spectrum.
Sheriff John C. Garcia and Undersheriff William J. Cooley are urging residents to ignore such calls and contact local authorities if they are approached by someone making this claim.
“This is a scam,” the department emphasized in a public statement. “If you receive a call like this after an iPhone delivery, hang up immediately.”
Residents are encouraged to verify all shipping or return requests directly with their phone carrier before sending any device back.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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