Apple Approval Notice text message scam

the "63" at the beginning of the phone number is a country code for the Philippines. It's a scam. Block it.

Kimhedum67 wrote:

just got this message again today:

Yes. You, and millions of others got this today. It’s very common.

I’ve posted a review of the scam wording just above.

The “Pervert” sextortion scam is also quite common. That one has been ongoing for years.

Here is an overview of some of the common scams:

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

Nope. As soon as he asked for my ID I was like, nah. I'll call Apple direct, not some number provided. He called back and when I said I'm gonna have to think about this (meaning I'm gonna check my bank) he hung up. Apple reps aren't rude and they don't hang up. 😂 that's when I knew.

kenitech wrote:

I probably download an app from the app store on my laptop maybe 5 times in a year. So yes, a really strange coincidence.

But coincidence it is. These scam messages are sent by the millions every day. You were not targeted specifically; the criminals behind it have access to all of the hundreds of data breaches that may have contained your email address. To get an idea if it has been compromised go to https://haveibeenpwned.com

v_114 wrote:

Text received today 12/18/24.

And it's still a scam. You will probably get more of them in the future. Delete and move on.

joethinkley wrote:

got the same today 12/20/2024

There's usually an uptick in this sort of scam around the winter holidays. People are very busy and often buying lots of stuff. It's easier to trick people into thinking maybe they did something with their card they don't remember.

Delete the message and move on.

This is what I got. I called and he asked for my ID and first and last name and I hesitated, we got disconnected so he called me right back, from NJ. That's when I got nervous. I've dealt with Apple support and even though he was patient something felt off. I started checking the account attached to the Apple Pay. Which I should have done first. I'm not seeing any charges. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Edited by Moderator]

Rem92601 wrote:

I just got this message at 9:08 this morning and it has an email as the contact. Do I need to report this to authorities or just block and move on?

Well, you are one of probably 100 million people who have gotten this scam message, so just delete it and move on. There’s no point in blocking it, because it will come from a different number or email next time.

bestnurse90 wrote:

These scammers are still doing this. I got the text today

The scams will continue too, until the profits disappear or the punishments appear.

Some of the recently-common scams have been going for five and more years, and some of the basic techniques used by the scammers go back centuries, if not millennia.

The “pervert” scam was flooding folks’ inboxes here, with multiple copies per day.

Some few of the many scams: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Demarionmoss22 (sub-contributor #211?)

There is nearly 110% fraud phishing scam and identity theft

possibilities; awaiting unsuspecting visitors, who give these

fake notice contacts: Facts they could then use against You.

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

//support.apple.com/en-us/102568

I also had received a message like this in text. I got suspicious immediately. The messenger said, "Apple Approval Notice: We have noticed that your apple iCloud id was recently used at "APPLE STORE - CA" for $143.95, paid by Apply Pay Pre Authorization. Also some suspicious sign in request and apply 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 card 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 828215**75 immediately to cancel this charge. Billing department: Apple billing website"

I want to post this here in case anyone had a similar message as me so they know that it is a scam message. Thank god I didn't interact with the message.

northside62 wrote:

Just got the same text 1/8/2025

And it's still a scam. Delete it and move on. Reporting it here is unnecessary.

It’s a scam to get you to give up the “keys to the kingdom” - Your Apple ID and password - so they can hack your account and steal your content, or to trick you into buying expensive but useless software.

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

letour111 wrote:

Just received a similar phishing text message today:

The sender number was +63 953 301 ****

Country code 63 is the Philippines.

The messages always seem to contain similar content.

I suspect the scammers are the same or they cut and paste the same phishing messages.

Reported it to reportphishing@apple.com

The scammers are THOUSANDS of low-paid slave laborers in Myanmar and other countries. They send MILLIONS of these and other scam messages a day through bots running on compromised servers around the world.

While reporting them is satisfying, it won’t stop them; it is too profitable, earning the “masters” of these scams several billion dollars a year.

Yep, you and several million other people. Do not interact with the message or the sender.