Warning: Scam involving fake Apple Support number and remote access

Here’s a clearer, more polished version that keeps your personal voice and the warning strong:

⚠️ Important Scam Warning

I want to share what happened to me in hopes that it may protect someone else.

The phone number *** appeared in my Google search results when I searched for Apple Support. It turned out to be a scammer — it was NOT Apple Support.

That is what made this experience so frightening. I did not knowingly call a suspicious number. I searched Google for Apple Support, saw this number in the results, and believed I was contacting Apple.

The person who answered instructed me to download AnyDesk Remote Desktop, giving her access to see what I was doing on my device. She then guided me through my payment accounts and eventually instructed me to purchase digital gift cards.

She attempted to have me purchase four $100 Uber gift cards. Thankfully, my bank placed all three transactions on hold,rejected one. There was apparently a message asking me to approve the purchases, but while she and I were looking through my phone messages, I did not see it. That was extremely fortunate.

She continued trying different ways to access my financial resources. Eventually, she instructed me to use Affirm to make a $1,000 purchase and repeatedly told me to follow her instructions because she was “trying to help me.”

That was when my husband became very concerned and firmly told me to hang up.

Looking back, I realize how close I came to suffering a serious financial loss. If the scammer had not become so aggressive and greedy by asking for a large Affirm transaction, I might have continued believing her and could have caused significant damage to my financial accounts.

Please do not assume that a phone number appearing near the top of a Google search is legitimate. Scammers can use advertisements, misleading listings, and fake support pages that look very convincing.

For Apple assistance, go directly through the Apple Support app or Apple’s official website, rather than calling a phone number you find through a general internet search.

Also remember:

• Legitimate support representatives should not ask you to purchase gift cards to fix fraud.

• Do not install remote-access software such as AnyDesk because a stranger claiming to be customer support tells you to.

• Never approve gift card purchases, loans, Affirm transactions, or money transfers because someone says they are needed to “verify” or “secure” your account.

• If someone pressures you, becomes impatient when you ask questions, or insists that you must follow their instructions immediately, hang up and contact the company directly through its official website or app.

I am sharing this because the scam was very convincing. I am extremely thankful that my bank stopped the gift card transactions and that my husband insisted I hang up before anything worse happened.

Please share this warning with your family and friends. If my experience can prevent even one person from falling for the same scam, it is worth sharing.

[Edited by Moderator]