Lakeland is responding to reports of a scam happening in their name.
The company has received a number of reports over the last several months that there are scammers contacting their customers and posing as an employee of Lakeland Networks or Lakeland Power, or Bell.
The nature of the scam varies considerably and are related to things like bill payments, equipment replacement etc. in an attempt to obtain personal info and/or money.
The company is reassuring customers that these incidents are not the result of any security breach or compromise of Lakeland Networks’ systems. The company says these scams will continue to evolve, with fraudsters using phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, and even artificial intelligence to make their schemes appear legitimate.
By knowing the warning signs and taking a few simple precautions, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims.
The company has provided some tips below:
How to Recognize and Avoid Scams
Most Important: Before sharing any sensitive information – ask for the representative’s full name, then hang up and call the company/institution back on their publicly posted phone numbers and ask to speak to the representative.
- Be Skeptical of Urgency and Pressure – One of the most common tactics used by scammers is creating a sense of urgency. They may claim your account will be closed, there is a financial penalty from inaction, or a loved one is in trouble and needs help right away. Lakeland and legitimate organizations rarely pressure people into making immediate decisions or payments. If someone is demanding urgent action, take a step back, verify the request independently, and never let fear drive your actions.
- Never Share Sensitive Information – Scammers often pose as banks, government agencies, utility companies, or technical support representatives to obtain personal information such as passwords, banking details, Social Insurance Numbers, or verification codes. Remember, that legitimate organizations will not ask you for your passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes, or sensitive financial information through unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages
- Watch for Unusual Payment Requests – A major red flag is being asked to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or e-transfer payments to unfamiliar recipients. These payment methods are difficult to reverse and are frequently used in fraudulent schemes. Before sending money, verify who you are dealing with and confirm the request through a known, trusted contact method.
- Verify Before You Click – Fraudulent emails and text messages often contain links that appear legitimate but lead to fake websites designed to steal your information. Look closely at website addresses, sender email addresses, and spelling mistakes. If you received an unexpected message from a bank, utility, or government agency, do not click links in the message. Instead, visit the organization’s official website or call them directly using a trusted phone number. (An excellent example of a trusted phone number would the phone number printed on the back of your debit/credit card.)
- Trust Your Instincts and Report Suspicious Activity – If something seems unusual, too good to be true, or doesn’t feel right – trust your instincts. Scammers rely on victims acting before they have time to think. Report suspected scams to the appropriate authorities and notify your financial institution immediately if you believe your information has been compromised. The sooner fraud is reported, the greater the chance of limiting the damage. (RCMP’s Report Cybercrime and Fraud Website)
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam:
- Stop all communication with the suspected scammer.
- Shut your computer down fully. Do not attempt to wipe it clean yourself – use a local service.
- Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately if you’ve provided any financial information.
- Change passwords for affected accounts.
- Enable multi-factor authentication where available.
- Monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
- Report the incident to local authorities or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
Quick action can significantly reduce the impact of fraud and help prevent others from becoming victims.
And of course, anyone experiencing a scam or who even suspects one can give Lakeland a call – ask for Technical Support – and they can provide guidance.