Apple Approval Notice text message scam

Akhterali wrote:

Recently i was hacked by the same notice, so guys just careful, don’t reply to this notice just delete it

regard

hacked? It is email spam just like the other scams you will see, such as those fake FedEx package delivery notices and those that claim you have a virus so you will call a fake tech support number or fall for some subscription service. Nothing to do with you being hacked.

Eric8866 wrote:

Good morning everybody I just got this text today and I was going through the process of doing what the person said who said he was a representative of Apple Store approval you told me to go to Apple Store and then download a app called SOSH App and I was about to do it downloaded on my phone and I got a second thought maybe the Lord Advise me to Google this so-called department of Apple approved notice and this is where I found you at:

Here is what was texting to me:

Yes, it's still a scam. There is no point in posting it again. Also, Apple doesn't permit the phone number or URL.

Nulll_ wrote:

this scam is still happening…

This particular billing scam is utter word salad (see my reply above), but it certainly works.

Variations of billing scams have been ongoing for decades, if not centuries.

The “pervert” and various other sextortion scams are also common.

Lots of “you have (3) viruses!” scams, too.

Some very few of many frauds: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Lots more scams: https://reddit.com/r/scams

Demarionmoss22 wrote:

Apple Approval Notice

>snip<

I hope you realize, after reading even a little of the thread you added to, that this is a scam and should just be deleted.

Akhterali wrote:

Hi whoever charge my account

that’s not me please revoke that amount and notify me soon as possible

appreciated

tra***@msn.com

There were 16 pages in the thread when you added your post (17 now), ALL explaining that the message you got was Not from Apple, it was a SCAM.

Please, please read at least some of the thread you are about to post to; usually it will make posting unnecessary.

Akhterali wrote:

Hi whoever charge my account

that’s not me please revoke that amount and notify me soon as possible

appreciated

tra***@msn.com

This is a user-to-user forum. No one here charged you account for anything. If you received a phishing message that looks like the examples given in this thread, it is likely no on charged your account. Unless of course, you clicked on a link and gave out your personal information.

RebAnne wrote:

woke up to the thing myself now they’re putting a phishing link in it

Would not surprise me. In the previous message, that link was to the actual Apple Billing page to try and prove legitimacy, but of course the charge would not be found and the confused user who received the message would then call that provided number for an explanation and fearing they would still be charged if they did not call.

christiane221 wrote:

I got this message today

So did thousands of other people. It's a scam. Delete it and move on.

Hello~ Just scammers doing what scammers do. Delete it and move along…

~Katana-San~

I just received another one of these messages! I am going to delete and report! Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Educatorsu wrote:

But mine which is the exact one posted here came via text message, not email.

With no disrespect intended, why would myriad spammers and myriad scammer restrict themselves to just one communications path to conduct their myriad scams, and not use every available means?

I’d also expect they copy what they suspect are working scams from other scammers too, whether it’s this one, the ever-popular “hello pervert” sextortion, or approximately 3.1415926 billion other variations.

This scamming is, after all, a large and highly automated business.

Smorris825 wrote:

I got this message today, I did call the number, but became very suspicious the person was not professional. did have me look under General then the Language & Region where under Region Format Example there were two charges dated August 19, 2025, in the amts of $12,345.67 and $4567.89. Not sure how they were able to do this, not sure if my phone is now compromised.

Settings>General>Language & Region>Format Example is NOT a charge. It's just showing you how things will look with the region settings you've chosen. It's there on every single iPhone.

Unless you gave the person on the phone information such as your Apple Account login and password or credit card information, you should be fine.

Signboy77 wrote:

What if, like a fool, I called the number provided. I disconnected before there was even an answer. How bad did I mess up?

As you gave out no information, there was no harm.

That link is a legitimate Apple link. The phone number included in those scam messages will not be legitimate.

Good morning everybody I just got this text today and I was going through the process of doing what the person said who said he was a representative of Apple Store approval you told me to go to Apple Store and then download a app called SOSH App and I was about to do it downloaded on my phone and I got a second thought maybe the Lord Advise me to Google this so-called department of Apple approved notice and this is where I found you at:

Here is what was texting to me:

Apple Approval Notice

We have noticed that your Apple iCloud id was recently used at \"APPLE STORE - CA\" for $143.95, paid by Apple Pay Pre Authorization. Also some suspicious sign in request and apple pay activation request detected. That looks like suspicious to us. In order to maintain the security and privacy of your account we have placed those request on hold.  If NOT you? talk to an Apple Representative. Failing may lead to auto debit and charge will not be reversed. Call +1 866895**** immediately to cancel this charge.

Billing Department :  Subscriptions and Billing - Official Apple Support

Have a great day!

[Edited by Moderator]