I received a text message from a 909 number saying:
"Apple Pay Transation: A purchase of $XXX has been made at the Apple Store. If you didnt authorize this, contact Support at 1(855)xxx-xxxx
Is this a scam? I don't recognize the purchase but I don't want to call the number and get scammed.
[Edited by Moderator]
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.
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.
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.
It’s undoubtedly a phishing attempt.
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]
That's what I thought but when I googled the number, nothing came up. Thanks for the confirmation!
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.
It's a quite popular smishing. A lot of people received similar sms during the past several months.
If you simply do a Google search for either of those phone numbers, you will clearly see neither has anything to do with Apple.
Yes, it's a scam. Ignore and delete.
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]
The amount varies, but it's the same scam over and over.
We were recently on a road trip and took some toll roads to save travel time. You don't throw coins in a bucket anymore. You drive under stations right over the road that take pictures of license plates, marries that data up with the owner and then snail mail you a bill.
Well, to say the security on the servers for these pictures is lax is a massive understatement. The next day after driving under a series of them, I got a text message saying I needed to go to some random URL and pay the toll by the next day, or my license would be revoked.
It took less than a minute to confirm it was a scam, and so I deleted it. That was over a week ago. Now for two days in a row, I've gotten similar text messages to pay up "or else" - from phone numbers in the Philippines. Yeah, sure, I believe that.
It’s very common in certain parts of the country. There are many toll roads in Florida for example. I get about one a week. But a month ago my sister in law fell for one and it’s been a mess getting charges off the card she used.
Oh, I get that. Been to Florida many times, although always managed to avoid toll roads. Generally speaking, people should just assume any unexpected text prompting you to call a number, click a link, or asking for money is a scam.
Jeff Donald wrote:
Yah, it’s like the old TV commercials where if you act before midnight they’ll triple your order.
What I find interesting is that, even knowing what I know, there is still an instant in which the artificial sense of urgency makes me want to act. The scammers really are tapping into some very basic human wiring.
Potential Apple Pay scam via text message
