Apple Store text message

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS! I just got it too — assumed it was a scam — never had received anything like that before from Apple. But was immediately confirmed for me when I googled about the scam, and you'd put "$143.95" in your post, which is the same amount they had in my scam text. Another way the scammers try to get you: it says, "Failing [to call the number] may lead to auto debit and charge will not be reversed" So I went straight to all my payment accounts and there were no flags, no charges...then googled the number to see if it was legit — none of the prefixes matched the normal support numbers for Apple. I didn't click any of the links within the text, but typed the apple support url they had, separately into my browser, and that was the correct url, so we know clicking their link within the text would've given them what they wanted — remember, just because it says a legitimate url DOES NOT MEAN it links to a legitimate url, so NEVER click a live link within a suspicious text. Conclusion: sneaky, perhaps getting more subtle and clever, but just another scam, successfully dodged. I hit "delete/report" junk. And will now go update passwords next.

Me too. Exactly the same message. I sent screenshots to reportphishing@apple.com.

phishing That's not an Apple telephone number.

Fraudsters are getting very good at imitating Apple messages and sometimes the only indication in an email is very subtle. Have a look at this thread. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255639814 It can be very hard to tell from an email alone if it is authentic. The best way to check is to use an independent way through Apple's own resources to confirm what the communication claims. Scams (e-mail, text messages, and phone calls) are getting very good at closely imitating true Apple communications. Always be cautious. These support articles have some guidelines:

About identifying legitimate emails from the App Store and iTunes Store --> Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

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

Avoid scams when you use Apple Cash --> Avoid scams when you use Apple Cash - Apple Support

About Gift Card Scams --> About Gift Card Scams - Official Apple Support

If you are uncertain about a message and a resource provided in that message, do not click on any links in the message. Try to use an Apple resource you know is valid to independently verify what the message is claiming. Go to a support article page on apple.com and use the instructions in the article to verify though Apple itself, or use an Apple device feature such as Settings or an Apple app. To ask Apple start at this web page: Official Apple Support

- Apple e-mails address you by your real name, not something like "Dear Customer", "Dear Client", or an e-mail address* However, having your actual name is not proof this isn’t phishing. Compromised databases may have your name and address in them.

- Apple e-mails originate from @apple.com or @itunes.com but it is possible to spoof a sender address. "Apple email related to your Apple ID account always comes from appleid@id.apple.com." - About your Apple ID email addresses - Apple Support

- Set your email to display Show Headers or Show Original to view Received From. Apple emails originate from IP addresses starting with "17.".

- Mouse-over links to see if they direct to real Apple web sites. Do not click on them as this just tells the spammer they have a working e-mail address in their database. If you are unsure, contact Apple using a link from the Apple.com web site, not one in an email.

- Phishing emails may include account suspension or similar threats in order to panic you into clicking on a link without thinking. They may report a fake purchase in order to infuriate you into rashly clicking on a false link to report a problem. March 2018 post by Niel There was a fraudulent order on my apple … - Apple Community - "Emails saying that your Apple ID has been locked or disabled are always phishing. If one actually gets disabled, its owner will be told when they try logging into it instead of through email."

- Apple will not ask for personal information in an e-mail and never for a social security number.

- Scams may have bad grammar or spelling mistakes.

- Apple will not phone you unless it is in response to a request from you to have them call you.

* Exception: I got email saying my ID is expired! Does… - Apple Community

Forward email attempts as an attachment (in MacOS Mail use the paperclip icon) to: reportphishing@apple.com then delete it.

If this is with regard to a supposed purchase, this Apple article has relevant information and web links for checking if you really have made a purchase or paid for a subscription: If you see ‘itunes.com/bill‘ or an unfamiliar charge on your bank, credit card, or debit statement - Purchases made under Family Sharing might be charged to the organizer's card but will not appear under the organizer's purchase history or subscriptions. Ask family members about those or check your receipts. --> If you see 'apple.com/bill' on your billing statement - Apple Support Apple will email a receipt to the Family Organizer if a purchase is made on a card held by the Family Organizer. This will have the Apple ID of the purchaser, which you should recognize, but won't have specific about what was purchased.

I just sent a screenshot along with the email address they used to send to my text messages to reportphishing@apple.com to report it.

But first, I called the number and messed with them a bit.

Thank God for this community! I freaked out when I saw the exact same message in my text message on my cell phone. Also, the amount was the same amount you stated, "143.95." These guys are total scum.

[Edited by Moderator]

SO thankful for this thread! I just got the same and I too thankful that you put in that amount$ because that was the same exact amount in my text. My concern is., I used my Apple ID to sign into a website to purchase a service. And within an hour after that, I got this text.. so I think I should probably change my Apple code i use on my phone?

To me it is painful even reading the terrible grammar in that image. ;-)

P.S. That is 3 posts I have now had to report for editing. Eventually I'll tire of reporting them and you have only yourselves to blame if a spammer reads this web site and gets your email address and sends you yet more junk mail.

None of those email addresses and phone numbers in the screenshot belong to people who are posting here in the forum. I do not understand why do you think hiding scammers email address and phone numbers is a great idea.

there was a fraud charge made from a company for that amount. Scammers called from the Apple Fraud number by spoofing it to look real. I had my husband call the number and they said it was a scam and change my password immediately. They were attempting to take over my Apple ID account.

[Edited by Moderator]

I got the EXACT same text. Thanks for posting about this SCAM

After using a rental car with more tech options than I am familiar with I too received the same text today. 50/50 could be a scam but could also be legit as I just parked the rental car and had been using car play and thought maybe it was something I had to pay for. Called Apple Support vs numbers in scam text. Just a coincidence. Now I know about that scam too. I will add this to all the others.

@ everybody responding.

Please do not post images with the telephone numbers and other contact information, or include your email address at the top of images. To prevent the harvesting of your email address by yet more spammers, and to prevent general distribution of fake "support" numbers, I had to report two posts for editing.

Same here, got this today, 10/10/2024

[Edited by Moderator]

I got the exact same message. Freaked me out b/c I actually did make a purchase in the Apple Store yesterday.

I suspect that was just coincidental, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.