Posted
on Wednesday, September 2, 2026
in
Identity Theft Prevention
Your phone buzzes with a text claiming to be from Apple Pay account services. You glance down to read it, and you feel a rush of fear. The text states that someone just charged $8,250 to your account. The message gives you a case number and phone number and warns that a second $8,250 charge will go through in 35 minutes unless you call the phone number right away. With the clock ticking, you might feel panicked and pressured to call.
But this is actually a smishing, or text message phishing, scam! If you call the number in the text, you won't reach Apple Support. Instead, cybercriminals pretending to be Apple Support will ask for your name, credit card number, or the email address associated with your real Apple account. If you share these details, cybercriminals could take over your account and steal your money!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a smishing scam:
- If you get a text about a big, unexpected charge, don't call the number in the message. Instead, navigate to your Apple Pay app or to your bank's website directly to check your account.
- Never share your banking details or personal information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly, even if they claim to be from Apple Support.
- Cybercriminals often use deadlines and fear to rush you into making quick decisions. Always stop and think before you act!
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