Q: Someone told me my phone is going to be out of date next year. Is this true, and can you explain why?
A: It’s true that cellphones more than a few years old that utilize the 3G network will become obsolete in the next year, and you’ll likely need to upgrade your device before this happens.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which rely on older technology, to make room for more advanced network services, including 5G.
As a result, many older cellphones will be unable to make or receive calls and texts – including calls to 911 – or use data services. This will affect 3G mobile phones and certain older 4G mobile phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice).
Additionally, other devices, such as certain medical devices, tablets, smartwatches, vehicle SOS services, home security systems and other connected products might be using 3G network services and be impacted as well.
The timing and plans for eliminating 3G networks varies by mobile provider:
AT&T says it will finish shutting down their 3G network by February.
Verizon has said it will finish shutting down its 3G network by Dec. 31, 2022.
T-Mobile has announced it will finish shutting down Sprint’s 3G CDMA network by March 31, and Sprint’s 4G LTE network by June 30. T-Mobile has further announced it will shut down its 3G UMTS network by July 1, but has not yet announced a shutdown date for its 2G network.
Note these are dates announced for the completion of shutdowns, but carriers might begin retiring parts of their networks sooner.
Additionally, if your mobile carrier is not listed here, you might still be affected as many carriers, such as Cricket, Boost, Straight Talk and several Lifeline mobile service providers, utilize AT&T’s, Verizon’s and T-Mobile’s networks.
Some devices might only need a software update, or you might need to purchase a new device. To best determine what you need to do to prepare for 3G network phase-out, call your mobile provider for their retirement plan and to find out if your device(s) are impacted. Some carriers might be offering discounted or free upgrades.
Q: We think my grandmother is being used by someone she met online. We’ve told her he is a scam artist, yet she’s convinced he is for real because he sends her little gifts once and awhile. But he’s also asked her to forward money and other items sent to her to perfect strangers. This can’t be on the level – what can we do?
A: It sounds as if your grandmother has fallen victim to a serious fraud activity in which she has become a “money mule” for an international swindler, or in essence, a U.S. name and address front for an overseas fraudster.
Money mules are people located in the U.S. who, at the direction of someone else, receive stolen funds and forward those funds to others. By providing that U.S.-based address, company or bank account, money mules enable fraudsters to present their other victims with a critical illusion – that they are who they purport to be.
According to the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, some money mules know that what they are doing is fraud, but many others, such as your grandmother, are victims themselves. She found a friendly person online who seems to care about her, sends her a few token gifts every now and then, and talks a good story about needing some help from her.
Older adults who are isolated, especially now during the pandemic, lonely and possibly vulnerable due to diminished cognitive capacity, can be targets of fraudsters. But, everyone should remember the following:
Be wary of people you meet over the phone or online, and don’t agree to receive money, packages or other things of value and forward those items to others.
Don’t engage in financial transactions with a stranger or give out any of your bank account information.
Don’t agree to open a crypto-currency account on behalf of someone else.
Be careful in responding to job ads that promise easy at-home employment and involve little more than sending or receiving packages.
If you realize you or someone you know is involved in such activities, report it to law enforcement, such as the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI’s IC3 unit, or the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311. This hotline also can provide support to fraud victims in need of counseling and resources.