Date: August 11, 2025Share

RCMP warn public of lost cell phone scam

St. Albert RCMP are warning the public about a lost cell phone scam that surfaced in St. Albert over the weekend, but has been happening in Eastern Canada and the United States as well.

St. Albert RCMP received two reports regarding a lost cell phone this past Friday and Saturday. In both incidents, citizens were alerted by their door bell cameras, that 2-3 individuals were at their door, communicating with the home owner through the doorbell camera, asking to come in and look for their lost cell phone, as it was pinging or showing it inside their residence. This is a ploy for scammers to gain access to your home by you inviting them inside to look for the lost phone or allowing access into your home if you are not there. In both cases, St. Albert homeowners did not allow the individuals access to their home, the scammers left the area and police were notified.

The lost cell phone scam can vary slightly, where a note may be left outside the residence instead of using a doorbell camera to communicate, stating their lost cell phone is pinging or showing inside your home. This is a way for the scammers to gain access to your residence and case the house for a future crime/theft or they may steal items in your home while “looking” for their cell phone.

Whether scammers are using a door bell camera to communicate, a note or simply ringing your regular doorbell, St. Albert citizens should not let any unknown individual into their home for any reason, lost cell phone or otherwise, and police should be called immediately.

St. Albert RCMP want to remind the public that frauds and scams can happen to anyone. These scammers are professional criminals, their scams are elaborate and they are very convincing, either by phone, in person or using a door bell camera.

If you have been a victim of fraud/scam or would like more information on all the different fraudulent scams in Canada, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre @ www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

St. Albert RCMP encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity. Reports tell us where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

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