The ‘Genuine’ Trap: Why the Latest Apple Scam is Fooling Even Tech-Savvy Amarillo Residents
It seems that every time you turn around in Amarillo, there is another scam. And unfortunately, there is. These scams wouldn't be so prevalent if people weren't falling for them. These scams help the bad people steal your money and your information. Both are assets you want to keep secure.
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That is why the Amarillo Police Department has been very diligent about teaching us about the latest scams hitting our area. They wouldn't need to warn us if they weren't happening here and people weren't being affected by them.
The Anatomy of the Apple Support Ticket Scam
In their latest scam warning, it's all about your Apple account being compromised, according to APD.
In this week’s scam, you receive text messages that say someone is trying to log in to your Apple account without your permission. Then, you get a call from someone claiming to be an Apple support agent. They tell you that your account has been compromised and that they have opened a support ticket for you so they can help you secure your account. You even receive an actual email from Apple support that contains your case number.The Apple support email you received is genuine, but the support ticket was initiated for you by cybercriminals, not by Apple. They’ll pretend to help “fix” the issue with your account and ask you to give them your security code so that they can close your support ticket. However, if you give them the code, they can steal your Apple account!
Any time you receive an unexpected text message or email, always remain suspicious. Even if it is a legitimate message, it's always best to err on the side of caution. Always go to the official website and verify that it is a legitimate concern.
A lot of times, they are not. The only concern is the scammer trying to get your information.
Amarillo Police Department Safety Recommendations
The Amarillo Police Department has tips in these situations:
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a phishing scam:• If you receive unexpected text messages from Apple, don’t reply or select any links in the message. Instead, visit the Apple website to confirm that the message is legitimate, or call their official customer support line.• Cybercriminals often try to trick you into acting impulsively by creating a sense of urgency. Always be cautious if you receive a text message that instructs you to act quickly!• Remember, real support agents will not ask you for your passcode or password. Scammers request this information so that they can gain access to your accounts.
Always verify and never give out passcodes or passwords. Legitimate companies will never ask for that information. Never.
Tips to Avoid IRS Scams During Tax Season
There are so many scams going on around tax season trying to steal your refund check, here are some tips to make sure you don't become a victim.
Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins