Customers in our area have reported receiving suspicious calls and messages from people claiming to represent Lakeland Networks, Lakeland Power, Bell, or other trusted organizations. The details vary — some mention bill payments, service changes, or equipment replacement — but the goal is often the same: to pressure someone into sharing personal information or giving money.
The most important thing… if something feels off, it is always okay to pause, hang up, and verify who you are dealing with before taking any action.
Note: We want customers to know these reports are not the result of a security breach or compromise of Lakeland Networks’ systems.
Why scam calls can sound convincing
Scams continue to evolve. Fraudsters may use phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, or even artificial intelligence to make their messages sound legitimate. They may use the name of a real company, reference a common service issue, or create a sense of urgency so you feel pressured to respond quickly.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reminds Canadians that fraud can happen through many channels and encourages people to report suspected fraud, even if no money was lost.
The safest response: pause and verify
If you receive a call, email, or message that asks for personal information, payment, passwords, account details, or immediate action, do not rely on the contact information provided in that message. Instead, ask for the person’s name, end the conversation, and contact the company directly using a publicly available phone number.
For Lakeland Networks customers, that means you can contact Lakeland Networks directly if you are unsure whether a communication is legitimate. We would rather you check first than feel pressured into making a decision on the spot.
What if Lakeland really does need to contact me?
There may be times when Lakeland Networks legitimately contacts customers about their service or equipment, including potential equipment replacement. Because scam activity can make these calls harder to trust, we encourage customers to verify the request before sharing information or agreeing to any next steps.
A legitimate conversation should not require you to make an immediate payment through unusual methods, share passwords or verification codes, or provide sensitive financial information in response to an unexpected call or message.
Common warning signs of a scam
While every scam is different, there are a few warning signs that should make you slow down and verify before responding:
- Someone pressures you to act immediately or says there will be a penalty if you do not respond right away.
- You are asked for passwords, verification codes, banking details, or other sensitive personal information.
- You are asked to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or e-transfer to an unfamiliar recipient.
- A message includes unexpected links or attachments and asks you to click before you can verify the source.
- The caller becomes aggressive, threatening, or unwilling to let you call the organization back directly.
If you are uncertain, trust that hesitation. Scammers often rely on people acting quickly before they have time to think.
What to do if you think you have been targeted
If you think you may have been contacted by a scammer, stop communicating with them. If you shared financial information, contact your bank or credit card provider right away. If you shared passwords or account details, change your passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available.
You can also report suspected fraud or cybercrime through the Report Cybercrime and Fraud system or to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Reporting helps authorities identify patterns and warn others.
When in doubt, call us directly
If someone contacts you claiming to be from Lakeland Networks and you are not sure whether it is legitimate, please contact us directly. A quick check can help protect your personal information, your account, and your peace of mind. We can be reached at 705-646-1846 or 1-844-444-4249.