Is this Apple account security message legitimate?

Scam!

Do not call that number or use any other contact information in the message. If you do, you will almost certainly be contacting criminals who will collect the information that they need to rip you off, under the pretext that they "need" the information to "verify your identity," "remove the charge," or other such bull excrement.

Not that I needed to check, but when I did a Google search for that phone number, the whole page of search results that came up consisted of warnings about a "New Apple Scam", "Apple Support Scam Fooling Millions", etc.

I am going to ask the Moderators to redact the phone number, so that if Google or other search engines "scrape" it off your post, some other person doesn't accidentally call it.

No, this is not legitimate. It is a phishing scam, and there is no account

behind it. Do not call the number.

How you can tell:

- Apple never asks you to call a phone number in a text, email, or pop-up

to resolve a charge or a security issue.

- It names no real details: no account email, no order number, no item

purchased, no device. Scammers send the same text to thousands of people.

- A specific dollar amount ($406.27) and an unfamiliar city are there to

alarm you into acting quickly.

- The awkward wording ("a recent account activity event has been associated

with...") is not how Apple writes its notices.

What happens if you call: a fake "Apple agent" will try to get your Apple

Account password, verification codes, or card details, or will ask you to

install remote-access software or buy gift cards.

What to do:

1. Do not call, reply, or tap any links.

2. Check your real account yourself, using addresses you type in:

- Purchases: https://reportaproblem.apple.com

(or Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > View Account >

Purchase History)

- Signed-in devices: Settings > [your name], scroll down to the device list

- Your bank or card statement for any $406.27 charge

If nothing shows up, nothing happened.

3. Report and delete it

- Text/iMessage: tap "Report Junk" under the message, then delete it

- Email: forward it to reportphishing@apple.com, then delete it

- Block the sender

4. If you already called or gave out any information

- Change your Apple Account password right away at

https://account.apple.com

- Make sure two-factor authentication is on, and remove any devices or

trusted phone numbers you don't recognize

- If you shared card details, call your bank using the number on the back

of your card and ask them to block the card and watch for fraud

- If you installed any app at their request, remove it

Real Apple purchase receipts come by email, list the exact item and your

billing details, and never tell you to phone a number to dispute the charge.

Hello~ Yes…it’s a scam. Click on below and review…

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

Report it, delete it and move on with your day. These scammers have become so prevalent now…that I treat everything as a scam until I can prove otherwise.

Tell your friends, family and colleagues about this so these scammity scam scammers have fewer targets.

~Katana-San~

Thank you for reaching out. 🤗

• The text message you received was a scam.
• Simply block, report and delete the message.
• Never click any links or call phony phone numbers they provide!
• The phony text message will never mention you by name because they don’t know it.

🛑 Apple will never send you a text message‼️⚠️

Important: If you receive a suspicious email or SMS text message that looks like it’s supposed to be from Apple, please email it to reportphishing@apple.com.

Learn how to:

• Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls and other scams.
• Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store.

Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian

FYI, if you ever are concerned that a message like this might be legitimate,

• Don't panic.
• Don't use any contact information in the message itself. It might belong to a scammer.
• Use known good contact information for the people who you think are billing you (e.g., Apple), and/or your bank, to check your accounts with them, or contact their Customer Support people.

If the message is for real, Customer Support or your statement will tell you soon enough. But more likely you will discover that by being suspicious of the unsolicited message, you have avoided being scammed.