Is this an Apple Pay scam?

Answering the number and claiming to be Apple is the whole point of those scams where they attempt to get your Apple ID/Password. It also alerts them that you are susceptible to being scammed if you call back, so you will get more of them.

Simply never call a number or click a link provided in an email/message and provide any personal information. Problem solved! Verification of any message is always possible by dealing with the company/financial institution directly with known contact info, not one they send you to use.

Do not call the number! Never interact with those messages. That is a scam attempt.

Learn more: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Just had the same thing happen. Called the number and got an Indian accent from a call center. I gave him the order id # and he asked for my name so I just said “if you have the order ID number and can view my account you should be able to see my name and Apple ID, correct?” “Sir I just need your name” “how did you see I was charged $177 to my Apple ID if you can’t see my name?” Then he hung up. Never heard of a support operator hanging up mid call….

don’t give them an inch. 10000% scam

“Don't answer suspicious phone calls or messages claiming to be from Apple. Instead, contact Apple directly through our official support channels.”

”To report a suspicious SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, take a screenshot of the message and email the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.”

You can report phishing at these links and most importantly your local law enforcement.

• Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store.
• FTC Complaint Assistant
• FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

Learn about how not to be a victim of Social Engineering.

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

I believe this is a scam. I received a similar message.

You can view your latest Apple Pay transactions in settings on your iPhone. Instructions in this link.

If you see an Apple Services charge you don't recognize on your Apple Card - Apple Support

“Don't answer suspicious phone calls or messages claiming to be from Apple. Instead, contact Apple directly through our official support channels.”

”To report a suspicious SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, take a screenshot of the message and email the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.”

You can report phishing at these links and most importantly your local law enforcement.

• Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store.
• FTC Complaint Assistant
• FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

Learn about how not to be a victim of Social Engineering.

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

KristenK0329 wrote:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/a62b308f-06a8-44cb-b8ce-200856e16442

Received the same text today, I took a screenshot and sent it to Apple

You can also report it as junk. It is not recommended to post the scam numbers on a public website such as this. The reason is that search engines such as Google "scrape" data from websites and have incorrectly associated numbers with legitimate companies that show up in their search results. Many users have been scammed by searching for things such as "Apple Tech Support" and fake numbers may be seen in the search results that were scraped this same way and Google will not take any responsibility for the information that they provide.

I continued talking with the person and he asked me to download an app that would allow him to scan my phone. He said it is the only way they could prevent it from happening again. I asked if I could see the charge because I thought maybe I did it and couldn't remember it and he said it won't show up because it has been put on hold. I'm so glad I got suspicious before allowing him to scan my phone. He kept insisting - "it is the only way...." So I hung up.

Nope! It is not Apple and you are correct the amount and number does change. The $143.95 charge is so common now that just by googling "$143.95", it will bring up that scam. They think they can outsmart you by changing the dollar amount and of course the number to call will change.

That’s a phishing attempt from scammers and its literally been reported 100’s of times if not 1000’s.

Apple would never contact you. Your bank (issuer of card) would contract you. Banks do the exact opposite of the message you received. If they suspect fraud the transaction is stopped immediately. You have to call to verify the transaction, not call to stop the transaction.

Don't answer suspicious phone calls or messages claiming to be from Apple. Instead, contact Apple directly through our official support channels.”

”To report a suspicious SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, take a screenshot of the message and email the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.”

You can report phishing at these links and most importantly your local law enforcement.

• Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store.
• FTC Complaint Assistant
• FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

Learn about how not to be a victim of Social Engineering.

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

That’s good. The big clues are that Apple will not contact you. Any contact would come from the bank that issued the payment method/card. Another clue is the bank will always freeze or decline a suspected fraudulent transaction. The scammers tell you it’s suspicious but they put it through and you have to call to stop it. Banks never put through the transaction.

“Don't answer suspicious phone calls or messages claiming to be from Apple. Instead, contact Apple directly through our official support channels.”

”To report a suspicious SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, take a screenshot of the message and email the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.”

You can report phishing at these links and most importantly your local law enforcement.

• Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store.
• FTC Complaint Assistant
• FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

Learn about how not to be a victim of Social Engineering.

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Troystathos wrote:

An Apple Pay Transaction of $446.89 at the Apple Store was detected.If this is Incorrect Please Contact Support Team at 1-8**-7**-***8

I’m sure it’s a scam.

Just like all other posts, that is a scam as well. Nothing unusual. You would never call a number in such a message anyway, so just like with all the others that attempt to scare you and request that you call a number they provide, delete and move on with your day.

”To report a suspicious SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, take a screenshot of the message and email the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.”

You can report phishing at these links and most importantly your local law enforcement.

• Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store.
• FTC Complaint Assistant
• FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

Learn about how not to be a victim of Social Engineering.

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

I received the same message, after reading your post, I’m sure it’s a scam. Foreign scammers work in call centers and it sounds like that’s exactly what you called, plus I’ve never gotten a text when using Apple Pay. I’d block the number and move on.