Mobile threats are surging, coming at you by email and text message faster than you can hit delete. And as the FBI has warned, plenty of these are dressed up as messages from major technology brands — Facebook, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Apple, above all.
“Legitimate customer, security, or tech support companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals,” the FBI says as “tech support scammers continue to impersonate well-known tech companies.”
Here’s just one example. An email from Apple warning “we have noticed that your Apple iCloud ID was recently used at “APPLE STORE” for $499.00 paid by Apple Pay.”
For most of us the clues are there. Unlikely phrasing and an email sender address that isn’t Apple. But you didn’t spend the money, and the tradecraft is a real fraud that warns of a fabricated one. It’s the same with phantom hacker attacks on bank accounts — a real fraudster helping protect you from an imaginary one by moving your money.
“In order to maintain the security and privacy of your account we have placed those request on hold,” the fake Apple warning explains. And then here’s the hook. Failing to call “may lead to auto debit and charge will not be reversed.”
Increasingly, these scams ask you to call a technical or customer support number. Many of these scams start with a fake call, which has prompted Google and others to stress to users they will never call you to discuss account or technical issues.
You must never call these numbers, whether in emails, texts or popups on your screen. If you have any doubts, search for a legitimate contact number online and call that. Or better still, use the contact options from within your app or online account. Again, making sure you log in using normal channels and not via a link you have received.
If you’re reading this, you’re more than likely tech savvy enough to never fall for the more blatant of these scams, although AI is making them harder to detect. But elderly relatives and those less familiar with tech are prime targets. A sudden, surprising $500 charge is very likely to push many people into making that call. Keep that in mind.
