The Federal Trade Commission has published a warning to users of robocall scams aimed to get their personal information. For example, the fake automated calls impersonate to be from Apple and Amazon with news of “suspicious activity” on users Apple iCloud account and ask for credentials like passwords, credit card information, and other personal information. The warning states,
In one version of the scam, you get a call and a recorded message that says it’s Amazon. The message says there’s something wrong with your account. It could be a suspicious purchase, a lost package, or an order they can’t fulfill.
In another twist on the scam, you get a recorded message that says there’s been suspicious activity in your Apple iCloud account. In fact, they say your account may have been breached.
Similar scam calls are common around the world in which perpetrators pretend to bank officials to gain account holders’ ID card information and bank details to transfer their funds. For Apple users, email scams are also very common in which users are told that their account has been breached and they should change their password immediately via the given link. It goes without saying that users should never click on such links.
FTC Warns Apple users of a Fake Call Scam
As reported, the scammers either ask the users to press 1 to speak to their representative or call on the given number. Thus, the commission categorically instructs the users to not do any such thing and report such calls to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It writes,
Don’t do either. It’s a scam. They’re trying to steal your personal information, like your account password or your credit card number.
If you get an unexpected call or message about a problem with any of your accounts, hang up.
- Do not press 1 to speak with customer support
- Do not call a phone number they gave you
- Do not give out your personal information
If you think there may actually be a problem with one of your accounts, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real.
Apple has not addressed this issue as yet and if the company does, we will update you.
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