I have been using the same security company for twenty years. Four years ago I upgraded the system and got a new panel because when I changed my home phone/internet service from the phone company to the cable company I needed to have a wireless connection for the security system.
Tonight I received a call from the security company telling me that they want to set up an appointment to install a new chip in my security system. I have some concerns about this call for a few reasons.
The caller ID said unknown instead of the name of the security company even though the phone number shown was the number of the security company. However, I know that a person can make a call look like it was coming from a different phone number.
Why would they need to install a new chip when I have a wireless connection
I received the call after 7:00 PM and their office closes at 5:00 PM
Call the security company back on a number that you know is valid and ask them about this. They will tell you whether it is a legitimate call or a scam.
Sounds fishy however, I understand from your post your system uses cellular to communicate with the monitoring station.The radio portion of your system may need to be upgraded from 3G to newer 4G/LTE. This could be legit as 3G cellular is being phased out.
Mine was upgraded three 3 weeks ago.
As others have said call the company ASAP and verify.
Thanks for all the helpful responses. I called the home security company that we use today and they told me that I have a 3G chip in my security panel and that due to upgrades in the cell towers I need to upgrade to 4G for my system to be monitored. So I made an appointment to have that done.