Potential Apple Pay scam via text message

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

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 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.

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

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.

I just got one for $157.69… I did call the number, but I physically entered the number instead of clicking the link number… They told me what the charge was for and it was something I didn’t purchase, then they sent me a link to click to “dispute the charge”… I just hung up at that point. Definite scam and don’t click any links!

DonD1725 wrote:

I just got one for $157.69… I did call the number, but I physically entered the number instead of clicking the link number… They told me what the charge was for and it was something I didn’t purchase, then they sent me a link to click to “dispute the charge”… I just hung up at that point. Definite scam and don’t click any links!

Hello~ Don’t call the number either. That will only prompt more scammers as they know now they have a working number. Get ready for the flood…

~Katana-San~

TechnologyIsGoingBackwards wrote:

I got pretty much the same one but with a +18665xxxxx number and an internet link that I’m sure does not work because the URL has two pieces of chain linked together in front of it. Must have been AI that did not understand what kind of link it was? Most concerning is i just got an iPad the day before at the Apple Store and don’t use the apply pay thing.

Correlation does not imply causation.

With a billion devices, it would be unusual if some recipients didn’t recently have dealing with Apple.

Nor does Apple Pay work the way this message pretends.

Nor does payment fraud detection work even remotely like the way this message pretends. This is a very big clue.

Scammers and their scams depend on how people think (or don’t think) about these details.

The message is creative fiction, constructed to cause the recipient to act against their own interests. Or in short, a scam.

jenni914 wrote:

Got a message on my iPhone saying that an Apple Pay transaction of $154.12 at the Apple Store was detected and I should call *****57....is this a scam..?

Yes, this is a scam.

Here are a very few of the other common scams:

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

TechnologyIsGoingBackwards wrote:

Most concerning is i just got an iPad the day before at the Apple Store and don’t use the apply pay thing.

Yea, they don't know whether you use Apple Pay or not. I have seen the messages also go to Android users where Apple Pay is not even supported. It is a numbers game for them and if they can just 1% of the people to fall for it, then it is a win for them. It costs them nothing to send the messages.

Similarly I got a message last week saying I have outstanding toll bills and if I do not pay them by clicking a link, a warrant will be issued for my arrest. That one got the same treatment, DELETE.

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 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

GregZHawaii wrote:

Another today shortly after I made a change on my phone regarding Apple Cash from a 63 910 number. Even gave me a case Number and A link to contact Apple security.

Scam.

Sooner or later, one of the zillions of messages spammed will arrive where the recipient will make assumptions about it. And a few of those same people will then act upon the message and the scam. That’s the profit.

+63 is Philippines.

My fiancé just received a similar text on 7/18/2025. The sender's number is +6**********45. Content of the text as follows:

"Unverified Apple Pay Usage,

We noticed some unusual activity on your Apple ID (Case ID: 64********8) account and want to ensure your information remains safe.

Details of the activity:

Transaction: $215.45 at "Electronic Hub USA"

Date/Time: July 18, 2025, at 10:47 AM (PST)

Device: iPhone 14 Pro, used in San Diego, CA

If you recognize this transaction, no action is needed.

If this activity is familiar, no action is required, and the transaction will proceed within 24 hours. If not, contact Apple Support immediately at +1-8*******4 for assistance.

Need Assistance?

Apple Support: +1-86********4

Billing Help: https://getsupport.apple.com/

Thank you for helping keep your account secure"

• He does not have an iPhone 14 Pro and he has no charges pending for any accounts linked to his Apple Pay. Just another scam to try to get the vulnerable. Really wish Apple could detect these things and prevent them from going out. He didn't fall for it but I know an elderly person could easily believe this.

[Edited by Moderator]