How to Avoid Apple Pay Scams?
Technology is emerging, and things are getting more advanced and more efficient. Without the hassle of keeping cash to pay in person, online payments have become a more efficient way to make payments online easily. You just need to create an account with your credentials and attach your credit or debit card; now you are good to go to make online transactions smartly. Apple is always looking to provide ease to its customers, so they are providing Apple Pay service to their users for easy payments. However, like any other online service, Apple Pay is not free of scams because of the fake Apple Pay payments. It’s important to keep yourself aware of the online scams in this digital world.
In this blog, you will get to know all Apple Pay scams and their prevention. Additionally, there is no need to panic if you are scammed; in this blog, you will know how you can report Apple Pay scams and get your money back.
What is Apple Pay?
You can get Apple Pay services on any Apple device, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, or any Apple device. This service allows users to make secure transactions. To avail yourself of Apple Pay service first, add your credit details on the Wallet app.
To make payments through Apple Pay, follow these steps:
- To begin, first verify your account with Face ID or passcode.
- Bring your iPhone or the Apple device you are using near the card reader.
- Apple devices with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology Communicate with the card reader and make your payment.
How do Apple Pay scams work?
With all the security on your Apple account, you can still be a victim of a fake Apple Pay scam. Scammers, by tricking users and pretending to be trusted individuals, make you believe that they have sent you the money via Apple Pay and show you the fake payment receipt, which looks completely true. Now when you check your Apple Pay account, there is no payment received. Causing you huge financial loss.
How do fake payments work on Apple Pay?
This usually happens if you are selling anything and scammers show an interest in buying products from you. And ready to make a payment. They claim that they have made the payment online and mistakenly sent you a lot of amounts and ask for a refund. To your surprise, scammers had made payment with a stolen credit card. After a few days, your bank will detect the fraud and cancel your payment, and you will never receive the payment. Moreover, you have already refunded the money, and this way you will become a victim of a scam by losing your money and the product.
Some Common Apple Pay Scams
Apple customer support scams
It’s among the most common Apple Pay scams, where scammers pretend to be an Apple employee and contact you via text, call, or email. If the scammer tells you that there is an issue occurring with your account or any suspicious activity is going on, you panic and share all the personal details related to your Apple Pay account claim to resolve the issue. This sensitive information includes your Apple ID’s password; also, if you have added an extra security layer of two-factor authentication, they will ask you for the code. Your account is at risk.
Apple phishing link scams
It is another type of Apple Pay scam in which you receive a fake link, and the scammer presents you with case scenarios like payment confirmation to repair a security issue and to verify your Apple Pay account. Since the link is fake, if you click on it, you will be redirected to a fake Apple site, which seems to be a replica of the original site. By providing your financial information on the fake site, the scammer will have access to your account. Additionally, if you click the link, it can spread malicious viruses on your system.
Apple gift card scams
Apple gift cards can be used to purchase Apple services only. Apple gift cards cannot be used as regular cards to make payments. No one can ask you to pay hospital bills or your shopping bills with Aan People’s Gift card. Moreover, taxes of government cannot be paid with an Apple gift card. If anyone asks you to do so, it’s straight away a scam. It’s one of the Apple Pay scams that happens more often.
Fake prize scams
Among other Apple Pay scams, the prize scam is more frequent; you will receive a text message or an email that you have won a prize. To claim the prize, the scammer will ask you to pay the verification fee. However, you know that you have not participated in any prize contest; also, no payment is ever charged to the person who won the prize, so it’s an indication of a scam. If you don’t know about scams, you will pay the amount, and the scammer will disappear. You will keep waiting for the prize, which you will never receive.
Account theft scam
The scammer uses a stolen Apple Pay account to pay you for an item to purchase from you. He will show the paid receipt, which will look authentic to you. After some time, the bank will cancel the payment, and you will lose your item and money.
Fake 2-Factor Authentication Alerts
You will receive 2FA alerts when a hacker tries to get into your account to steal your data. This means that the scammer knows your password and requires a code that will come to your email or via text message. They will trick you in many ways to get that code. Sometimes pretending to be from Apple company itself.
Signs of Apple Pay Scams
Following are some warning signs of Apple Pay scams; if you know them, you can stay safe from any kind of Apple Pay scams:
- Unknown text or calls: You will receive a call or text out of the blue pretending that the bank will ask you to verify your account.
- Asking for credentials: The scammer will ask you for your Apple ID, passwords, and credit and debit card details. Always remember no one from Apple directly asks for your Apple Pay details.
- Threatening Messages: The scammer will call or text in an urgent way that your account will be suspended if you don’t pay a penalty or threaten that you will go through legal trouble.
- Fake Links & Attachments: One of the warning signs of Apple Pay scams is that scammers will send links that will take you to a website similar to the original Apple site to steal your personal information. These links and attachments might contain viruses that can spread in your system.
- Random numbers Emails: Scammers will contact you from unfamiliar numbers or emails to show that they belong to Apple company.
- Unfamiliar Apple Pay Transfers: You will receive a fake message that you have received the amount on your Apple Pay account and ask you for a refund. No payments are made.
How to report the Apple Pay scam
If you are scammed on Apple Pay, to take immediate action to protect your account, you can follow the mentioned steps:
Contact Apple Customer Support: Get Apple’s support number or email from the “official Apple “site and contact customer support urgently. So, they will block your Apple account at once.
Reset Password: Change your password and create a new strong and unique password for your Apple account.
Enable 2FA: For extra security, turn on your Apple account’s two-factor authentication. Whenever anyone tries to break into your account, you will receive a text message or an email.
Freeze your cards: If you are scammed, contact your bank to freeze or get a new card.
Keep checking accounts: Always monitor your account for suspicious activities or unknown login attempts to take instant action.
Take legal action: If a scammer has stolen the amount from your account, take strong legal action by informing the cyber police.
If any Apple Pay scams happen, how can I get my money back?
To get your money back, contact your bank instantly and talk about the scam that happened to you. Make sure you inform them about the scam to Apple so they can take strict action against scams and frauds in the future if they happen to anyone. Informing immediately can recover your amount soon.
How can iProVPN save you from Apple Pay scams on public Wi-Fi?
Never use your Apple Pay account on public Wi-Fi because they are not safe at all. Hackers can get your personal information to harm you financially. If you need to connect, first ensure that you connect to iProVPN for extra protection of your Apple Pay. It will keep your account secure from online threats. It also allows you to make secure transactions by using iProVPN’s safe service.
FAQs
- Can I use iProVPN to stay protected on my Apple Pay account?
Yes! You can use iProVPN on your Ato to enhance the security of your account. It will hide your real IP and save you from online scams.
- What should I do if any of the Apple Pay scams happen to me?
Take quick action by contacting Apple customer support so they can block your Apple account in no time.
- What is the importance of 2FA on an Apple account?
2FA is an important security feature; enable it so you may know if analogies are to log into your Apple account. You will know by receiving codes on text or email that someone is trying to access. Don’t share 2FA codes with anyone.
- How can Apple Pay get hacked?
If they steal your login credentials for your Apple Pay amount, they can easily hack your account. Make sure to put a strong password on your Apple account.
- How can I confirm my payment over Apple Pay?
For the payment confirmation, check your Apple Pay history. Contact your bank and check the transaction email by asking for screenshots or history from the payment sender.
