08/31/2026
Scam of the Week:
Scammers often employ a fraud technique called "smishing" or text message phishing. How they do this is you receive a text message claiming to be from Apple Pay Account Services or any number of other legitimate businesses. The message states that someone has charged large dollar amount to your account. It provides a case number and phone number and warns that a second high dollar charge will be processed in a predetermined time frame unless you call the provided number immediately.
Although the message may appear legitimate, this is an example of smishing, or phishing conducted through text messages.
If you call the number provided, you will not reach legitimate customer support. Instead, cybercriminals posing as representatives of the business may attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as your name, credit card number, or the email address associated with your account.
Providing this information could allow criminals to gain access to your account, steal personal information, or commit financial fraud.
Remember: Scammers often use urgency and threats of financial loss to encourage people to act without verifying the message. Do not call phone numbers provided in suspicious text messages. Instead, independently verify the alert through the official website, your device settings, or a trusted customer-service number.
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 account via an app or the internet 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 customer support.
• Cybercriminals often use deadlines and fear to rush you into making quick decisions. Always stop and think before you act! See less
