Fake Verizon Device Trade-In Rebate and Bill-Credit Scam
Scammers send fake Verizon rebate or trade-in credit notifications that direct customers to enter payment details on a fraudulent site to 'receive' a credit that never arrives.
Part of: Fake Telecom Rebate Scam
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
Verizon frequently runs genuine promotions — device trade-in credits, new-line bonuses, and bill credits for upgrading to premium plans. The existence of these real offers creates an ideal cover for fraudsters who send fake rebate notifications designed to look like official Verizon promotional communications.
The fake notifications typically claim the customer is entitled to a rebate for a recent device purchase or trade-in, but that the credit has not been applied and must be claimed through a specific link within a short window. Customers who have recently purchased a device or switched plans are most susceptible because they may be expecting a genuine promotion.
The link leads to a fake Verizon rebate portal that collects personal details and, ultimately, a card number 'to deposit the rebate'. The card is then used for fraudulent charges and the rebate is never paid.
How this scam works on the Verizon brand
Verizon's genuine rebate and promotional credits are managed through the My Verizon app or the Verizon Rebate Centre at verizonwireless.com/rebates. Any credit owed is applied directly to the account or issued as a prepaid card mailed to the registered address — customers do not need to enter card details on an external website to receive them.
The fake notification arrives by email or text from a non-Verizon sender, using Verizon's red branding and a message like: 'Your $200 trade-in credit is ready to claim — expires in 48 hours.' The link resolves to a domain resembling verizon but not the official verizonwireless.com or verizon.com.
Some variants arrive as physical mailers that mimic Verizon's promotional design, including a QR code linking to the fraudulent rebate portal. This approach can be more convincing because consumers associate physical mail with legitimacy.
Common red flags
- Rebate claim requires entering a card number on an external website — Verizon credits are applied to your account or mailed as a prepaid card
- The link leads to a domain that is not verizonwireless.com or verizon.com
- Extreme urgency: rebate expires in 24-48 hours and requires immediate action
- The email or text sender is not a @verizon.com address
- A physical mailer includes a QR code but no matching offer is visible in your My Verizon account
- The rebate amount is significantly higher than the promotion you enrolled in
How to protect yourself
- Check all Verizon promotions and rebate status in the My Verizon app or at verizonwireless.com/rebates — do not use links in unsolicited messages
- Do not enter card details on any site claiming to process a Verizon rebate — legitimate Verizon credits do not work this way
- Contact Verizon directly at verizon.com/support to verify whether a promotion you enrolled in has been credited
- Be especially cautious with QR codes in physical mail — verify the destination URL before entering any data
How to report it
- Report the fraudulent communication to Verizon at verizon.com/about/responsibility/privacy/report-phishing
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM)
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If card details were entered, contact your card issuer immediately to dispute charges and request a new card
Frequently asked questions
How does Verizon pay legitimate trade-in credits?
Verizon trade-in credits are applied as bill credits over the term of your plan or issued as prepaid Mastercard cards mailed to your address. You will never need to enter a card number on an external site to receive them.
I got a Verizon rebate mailer with a QR code. Is it safe?
Be cautious. Scan the QR code but check the URL it opens before entering any information. The URL should be on verizonwireless.com or verizon.com. If it leads elsewhere, treat it as fraudulent and verify the promotion directly in the My Verizon app.