I just received a text message as an [Apple Security Alert] stating,
we have noticed that your Apple id was used at “APPLE STORE” for $143.95, paid by Apple Pay Pre Authorization.
This appears to be a phishing scam?
[Edited by Moderator]
iPhone 13, iOS 17
TiredOfDishonestApple wrote:
This is the text message I received yesterday from 1-8******6:
Your Apple ID was used to make a $155.90 purchase at the Apple Store via Apple Pay . If you didn't authorize this, call Apple Support at (88******43
Oh, wow, I think you get the daily prize for posting the highest bogus "bill" from this particular phishing spam campaign. 🤪😉
This is one of many common scams.
Here are some few of the many scams: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing ...
The "pervert" sextortion spam scam is another and recently popular scam — no, they don't have the videos and images they claim to have — and that scam is discussed around here, and elsewhere on the 'net.
This is a text message I received. I checked my credit card account and there was no such charge. I sent an email to reportphishing@apple.com along with the screenshot. I then blocked and deleted the #.
[Edited by Moderator]
BenzJamin129 wrote:
I received the same yesterday…
These scams will be circulating for the foreseeable future; until enough folks stop falling for the scams.
Saegzz wrote:
This thread is a year old. Should I read all the comments?
Only for the humor😏
It’s also because someone reading the post might stupidly call the number.
After using a rental car with more tech options than I am familiar with I too received the same text today. 50/50 could be a scam but could also be legit as I just parked the rental car and had been using car play and thought maybe it was something I had to pay for. Called Apple Support vs numbers in scam text. Just a coincidence. Now I know about that scam too. I will add this to all the others.
@ everybody responding.
Please do not post images with the telephone numbers and other contact information, or include your email address at the top of images. To prevent the harvesting of your email address by yet more spammers, and to prevent general distribution of fake "support" numbers, I had to report two posts for editing.
Just got this text today. Glad I came here to check to see if it’s a scam.
Apple Approval Notice
We have noticed that your Apple iCloud id was recently used at \"APPLE STORE - CA\" for $143.95, paid by Apple Pay Pre Authorization. Also some suspicious sign in request and apple pay activation request detected. That looks like suspicious to us. In order to maintain the security and privacy of your account we have placed those request on hold. If NOT you? talk to an Apple Representative. Failing may lead to auto debit and charge will not be reversed. Call +1 866325xxxx immediately to cancel this charge.
Billing Department
Have a great day!
[Edited by Moderator]
try2guess wrote:
I looked up the number that was left for me to call back – 855–775–****–support.apple.com/billing in the amount one 143.95. I turned off my phone setting to not show my Caller ID and when I called that number it rang about 10 times and then a male answered with “Apple Support” and the line was very noisy. I just said sorry I called the wrong number and hung up so I never did click on the link or anything because I have become super suspicious of emails like this.
It's a scam. Delete it and move on.
try2guess wrote:
I looked up the number that was left for me to call back – 855–775–****
For future reference: When you can a toll-free number they will always see your caller ID, even if you block it.
JNK1984 wrote:
I just received the same text of a charge of $143.95!
DON’T fall for the scam!!!
Yes, you and several hundred million other users, on iPhone, Android Macs and Windows have received it. And you posted good advice. NEVER click a link in an email, even if you think you know the sender; email addresses are very easy to forge.
This is the text message I received yesterday from 1-8******6:
Your Apple ID was used to make a $155.90 purchase at the Apple Store via Apple Pay . If you didn't authorize this, call Apple Support at (88******43
[Edited by Moderator]
TiredOfDishonestApple wrote:
This is the text message I received yesterday from 1-850-xxx-xxxx:
Your Apple ID was used to make a $155.90 purchase at the Apple Store via Apple Pay . If you didn't authorize this, call Apple Support at (888) xxx xxxx
::SIGH:: Didn’t you read ANY of the posts in this thread. That is a SCAM MESSAGE and is not from Apple. And neither phone number is Apple’s. If you call either one you will be tricked into handing over the keys to the kingdom; essentially your Apple ID & password, thus giving away all of your private information and risking bricking your iPhone.
[Edited by Moderator]
I understand the temptation to call the number because it’s hilarious to mess with these scummy scammers. However I advise against calling or texting any number including the number that sent you the message because it lets the scammers know that your line is active. You will see an increase in scam attempts since they are aware that your line is active.
As stated above and in other replies in this thread, scam.
Messages listing an unauthorized purchase of anything from 1¢ to a billion dollars, the scammers can randomly select whatever amount they want you to to send them, same as they can make up the number of "viruses" they "found" "infesting" your system, and whatever random number of compromising photos and videos they claim to have "hacked", among many other scams.
Some write-ups on various scams:
powerhouse3 wrote:
... I just hope that individuals that 'use' Apple Pay do not fall for this.
You can be assured these scams work, or we wouldn’t need swimming in the messages, and with the various threads questioning the messages from those more wary among us.
Identifying Phishing Scams in text messages
