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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
THANKS FOR POSTING THIS! I just got it too — assumed it was a scam — never had received anything like that before from Apple. But was immediately confirmed for me when I googled about the scam, and you'd put "$143.95" in your post, which is the same amount they had in my scam text. Another way the scammers try to get you: it says, "Failing [to call the number] may lead to auto debit and charge will not be reversed" So I went straight to all my payment accounts and there were no flags, no charges...then googled the number to see if it was legit — none of the prefixes matched the normal support numbers for Apple. I didn't click any of the links within the text, but typed the apple support url they had, separately into my browser, and that was the correct url, so we know clicking their link within the text would've given them what they wanted — remember, just because it says a legitimate url DOES NOT MEAN it links to a legitimate url, so NEVER click a live link within a suspicious text. Conclusion: sneaky, perhaps getting more subtle and clever, but just another scam, successfully dodged. I hit "delete/report" junk. And will now go update passwords next.
I got the SAME msg but mine mentions the charge being made on California (I think the CA is California and not Canada 😁). Even with all the scams I always jump a little when I see these things. So invasive
[Edited by Moderator]
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–****
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]
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.
I just received this text message today. Same amount. Here is the message and was sent from a Hotmail account (***@hotmail.com) that came through as a text. Obviously - hotmail would not be an official Apple message 🙄
=====
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 ** immediately to cancel this charge.
Billing Department : https://support.apple.com/billing
Have a great day!
[Edited by Moderator]
I suspect that was just coincidental, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.
I recvd same message. Called-stated-What is going on? Recvd immediate-hang up-dial tone.
I got the same message. 10 minutes after I made a purchase on the Apple Store. Had all the other people on this thread recently made a purchase? It seems like too much of a coincidence.
Just got the same message with same exact amount of $143. The phone number itself looked suspicious but thought I’d google it anyways and came across this thread. Thanks for confirming it is a SCAM!!
Identifying Phishing Scams in text messages
