Potential Apple Pay scam via text message

It's the exact same scam that's been going around for months. Right down to the cost of $143.95.

All you need to do is a Google search on the phone number to see it has nothing to do with Apple.

Yes it is one of many scams trying to get you to call a number and give them your personal information. Simply never call a number or follow a link and provide personal information. That way you never have to worry about your account being compromised. Just delete any such message/email.

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

I've gotten several texts that are attempting to look like they are from EZPass in NY trying to shake me down. Problem is, I live about 1000 miles away and haven't been to NYC (or driven on any toll road) in probably 20 years. And I certainly didn't drive when I was there. I can't believe people still fall for these scams but they do.

Rsgirl wrote:

Almost fell for this, they have my name and number.. hopefully nothing else. I hung up

They don't have any other information. All they know is that you are susceptible to fall for their scare tactics so you may get more of those types of messages simply because they have your phone number. You now know that they should just be ignored and can delete them without any worry. Completely eliminating these scams is difficult because they will just spoof a sending number, so even if blocked you will get the same message from a different number.

I received the following message.. is it phony?! 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 80874**** immediately to cancel this charge.

Billing Department :  Subscriptions and Billing - Official Apple Support

Have a great day!

[Edited by Moderator]

Here apparently is another one….

from “+1 (518) ***-****”

”An Apple Pay transaction of $156.65 at the Apple Store was detected. Call apple support now +1(888) 671-***, If this is unauthorized.”

[Edited by Moderator]

De101296 wrote:

Same here!

Millions have gotten this scam, and millions more will get this scam, or scams just like this.

Without intending any disrespect, don’t tell us. We already know. Tell your friends.

Pretty much any call from an unknown number, and any text message from an unknown sender, is probably a scam. And some of the calls and texts from even known numbers are scams, too. Calling and sending numbers can be faked.

Here are a very few of the many other common scams: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

It’s undoubtedly a phishing attempt.

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

It’s a 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

rtvp1003 wrote:

I just received the same message via Text and called the number back. He assured me he was Apple Support - and they wanted me to download an app - when the App had nothing to do with Apple I stopped the call, but after I gave them my Apple ID. Yikes...

Did you give them your Apple Account Password?

If so, your account has now been compromised. If you did not provide them with your Password, then the result will just be that you will receive many more of this scam and others that are similar as you have been marked as being susceptible to believing what they tell you. Just by calling the number gives them your phone number to send more messages. Follow the steps here if you gave them your Password:

If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

In the future, there is NEVER a reason why you should call a number or click a link in any email or message and provide your personal information. You always would use known contact information to verify any information, not one that is given to you in that message.

It's a quite popular smishing. A lot of people received similar sms during the past several months.

Just received a text stating

Alert: A Transaction of $143.95 Via Apple Pay was processed Using your Apple ID at the store. If unauthorized, Contact apple support @ +1-8**-5**-***6.

No charges show on my acct or my apple pay wallet. Phone number does not exist. Definatley a scam!

Text came from +1 6**-**7-***0

[Edited by Moderator]

Jeff Donald wrote:

The other give away is the sense of urgency the messages always have. People don’t think, they just pay it and now the scammers have your card details.

I just got one this morning that told me I needed to pay immediately or I would "face penalties or legal action."

Do to a series of unfortunate circumstances, I did end up with some overdue tolls a few years back. EZPass in my state sends letters. And not especially threatening ones at that.

slay16 wrote:

Well, that's true. Luckily the moderators here are pretty good at taking care of that.

Yes moderators here are good about redacting. The point made by Jeff Donald should also be heard by all as other sites such as Reddit or Social Media are not nearly as effective in redacting these numbers. When posting there it is the AI bots that will associate those numbers with Apple. Google has a contract with Reddit to train their AI on those posts. There have also been google search results that show an incorrect Apple Support number as a top result where users have been scammed by using them.

In those cases an attempt to promote a scam to raise awareness can have disastrous consequences for others. The solution is to raise awareness of these scams, but never post any associated phone number. The number is not needed to prove that it is a scam.