Identifying Phishing Scams in text messages

Hello~ Yes, it’s just scammers doing what scammers do. Delete it and move along . Don’t interact with it at all. Click on below and review…

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

Take care.

~Katana-San~

25th Floor wrote:

…The text was posted from “gon**************20@icloud.com”. I hope this does not mean they have hacked the iCloud email of someone…

Scams are illicit businesses, and harvesting insecure servers and insecure accounts is part of that.

One of the more common ways to gain account access is password re-use. One leak from some service somewhere, and the email and password is tried everywhere.

To see (some of) the breached services that have leaked your email and password, visit:

https://haveibeenpwned.com

Phishing works well for gaining account credentials, too. There’s been some well-crafted AT&T “price increase” phishing ongoing.

Some few of many schemes:

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

charlnice wrote:

Why dose my App Store not work what if I don’t have a back account

Apple expects a payment method to be on file when using the app store, and expects to be paid any money they believe is owed them.

With no valid payment method or when Apple believes money owed them, Apple can block access to the app store.

If your App Store access is blocked, contact Apple Support: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

That all entirely unrelated to then phishing scam messages discussed here.

I received the same yesterday.

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. Your Photos, Data, Bank Information and Cards are at risk. 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 :  Subscriptions and Billing - Official Apple Support

Have a great day!

[Edited by Moderator]

kreg56 wrote:

Got the same message exactly with the same amount but only on the iPad and not on the iPhone, I usually reply (on iPhone) that I am calling police before deleting and reporting and it usually stops the scammers.

Hello~ Calling the police? What exactly do you expect them to do? If you are going to call the authorities…please call the non emergency number so someone that may need life saving assistance isn’t denied care or assistance. I can assure you that they (police) get these messages as well. Click on below and review to see exactly what you should in fact do…

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

~Katana-San~

Hi there,

I am so happy i came here and seen this comment. I just got the same Text out of no where and was questioning the #. This came into my phone with a myr******b9@poftoday.com (Apple Approval Notice) at 11:10 AM - I am in Ontario Canada - Message as follows

We have noticed that your Apple iCloud id was recently used at APPLE STORE CA for $143.95 paid by apple pay pre auth. 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 requests on hold. your photos data bank information and cards are at risk. If NOT you? talk to an apple rep. Failing may leas to auto debit and charge will no be revered call +188******38 immediately to cancel charge

Billing department: Subscriptions and Billing - Official Apple Support Have a grate day!

I've of course Deleted and reported Junk but i have NEVER got anything like this BF.. I get a lot of fake auto e-transfers from LEXX WEBBER , Linda Forsyth , WAYNE THOMAS , DIAN MCLOUGHLIN, wayde

(usually says one of them has deposited (said amount) check emails OR it says I've successfully deposited in their account check email for details... I always check email nothing is there.. Why is this happening??

Has anyone else got these before? Please HELP!!!!!!!

[Edited by Moderator]

Hello~ This is a well known scam. Posting the scammer’s information here doesn’t help either as it only perpetuates the scam. Click on below…

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

~Katana-San~

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!!

SuzyQ4762 wrote:

I just got a text Apple alert recently use Apple Store for 154.95 and there is a phone number to call .

It is a scam. Do not call the number. Report the text as junk.

Go to Settings/Messages (Settings/apps/messages in iOS 18) and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.

you can also add a spam blocker such as NoMoRobo

I just got this same text scam, so I just wanted to post for the awareness of others.

I just received the same text of a charge of $143.95!

DON’T fall for the scam!!!

jamesfromwinston salem wrote:

Got at 1:15 today that a purchase of 163.70 was made using my Apple ID. If this wasn't right I was to call 866-xxx-xxxx.-----------Scam?

Still a scam.