Legit Text?!

It is not a legit text and has been floating around for a very long time now. Yours is the original variant that still uses the same $143.95 amount and simply doing a Google search of $143.95 will bring up this same scam message from other users. Later variants changed the amount, Location, and Phone number, but they are all the same scam.

NEVER call a number or click a link in any message/email and you will never be a victim of a phishing scam.

808JK wrote:

Thank you! Whew!

Lucky for me I decided to check and not just follow its instructions! Too bad there isn't a way Apple could check these or send warnings...

Good news! If there was an easy way to stop spam or phishing messages, it would have been done by now. Blocking the phone number/email does not even work because the sender is just spoofed. SMS messages come directly from your cell provider and do not even go through Apple Servers. There are so many different types of spam and changes in its text that text filtering options are not helpful and may also block legitimate communications. Apple does provide a blanket Support Article to covers phishing messages and emails.

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

Stick to one method that works:

NEVER call a number or click a link in any message/email and you will never be a victim of a phishing scam.

Any communication that you are concerned about or asking for personal information will always have another method for verification. For example, you did the right thing by checking here for anything related to Apple. You should also always have known contact numbers to verify, such as Apple has their contact number here:

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

That is true for any other communication as well. Verify any banking communications that alarms you with the actual phone number to your bank, not one provided in the email/message.