Authorities Warn Of Scam To Steal Cell Phone Minutes

a new scheme to steal cell phone minutes. MSNBC reports.

"Frank Allen told NBC 5 News that he lost his cell phone on a flight from Dallas Fort-Worth to Baton Rouge, but he thought luck was on his side when he got a call from someone claiming to be from American Airlines' lost and found department.

"I didn't realize it, but I left my cell phone on the plane," Allen said. It turned out that caller was a fake, NBC 5 News reported.

"They were just getting me not to suspend phone (service) with Verizon so they could begin downloading as fast as they could go," Allen said.

The thieves had 13 days to download items such as ringtones. Allen had a cell phone bill between $7,000 and $8,000.

Most cell phone providers hold customers responsible for bogus charges when they don't report the phone stolen -- which is something Allen was duped into not doing. "

emily | 1:32 PM | Spam, Viruses and Hoaxes |
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