What to Do If You Encounter a Scam

Do Not Engage: Avoid clicking links or providing personal information.

Report the Scam: Forward suspicious emails to reportphishing@apple.com and delete any scam messages.

Contact Apple Directly: Use known contact information from Apple's official website to verify any claims.

First thing I do is check my PayPal account. The activity mentioned in the email title never exists.
Also, the "from" is never actually PayPal.
I've reported these directly to PayPal.

And I don't have a PayPal account.

Morons.

given On Apple.com website.

Look on your Apple account and see if any unauthorized transactions took place.


Probably a scam, especially if you see any unauthorized activity on your account.

That is what I would do.

You might want to also changing your password, or using two-factor authentication.

There is so much of this type of stuff going on nowadays, it may be hard for them to keep up.

claiming my account was being automatically renewed at a cost of $299.99. I've subscribed to Norton in the past and no longer wanted it, so this was something I wanted to interrupt. I took a long breath, went into the Norton website, and verified that my old Norton account had been disbanded and no upcoming renewal or charge was scheduled. Their "automatic renewal" was a total scam. I did not respond to their message, and no such charge ever hit my account.

Always be vigilant!

NEVER respond to anything like this.

You will never be contacted like that, ever, not by Apple, not by Microsoft, not by anyone. If you need computer help, you are the one who needs to get in touch with the right help people.

I will honestly say that I'm astonished that anyone might still fall for something like that these days.

For years I've gotten text messages asking if a transaction on my credit card was valid, hit 1 for yes, 2 for no. Almost always it was valid, triggered for some understandable reason. Once or twice it wasn't and I ended up interacting with the credit card agency (for real). So just how do you distinguish "this" message from valid ones?

They typically start with asking you to identify yourself, followed by the questions about transactions. Exactly how a scam would start. If it acts like a scam, treat it like one.

I've gotten them. I always refuse to respond. Instead, drag your credit card out and call the number on the back of the card. That way you know you aren't providing personal and transaction information to a scammer.

...it is not uncommon to get valid text messages from credit card companies.

Call the number on the back of your credit card, instead.

You asked how to tell the difference - and basically, you can't. So don't put yourself at risk by responding to ANY of them. You've lost nothing by calling the credit card company directly if it happens to be legitimate, and you don't accidentally provide information to scammers.

ANY contact initiated by text, phone, or email which is related to finances, or computer safety, should be ignored - unless you like playing with fire.

but not in years. That's probably in the settings for your card.

I also use credit/debit card far less than most people. I typically pay cash for day-to-day purchases, which among other things saves a lot of time in some stores or restaurants.

NEVER call them! I was given lots of tips when I had to get my computer cleaned.

If anyone important like Social Security, your bank, IRS, tells you to call them DO NOT! These places notify you via general mail by USPS.

All scammers are spawns of Satan!

Nobody calls people like that. Ever.

Also, never click on links in texts and never, ever, call the phone number in a text. It's always bogus. If you have a question, contact the company directly, using a number you're sure belongs to that company. Check a recent bill for a customer service number or log into your account with that company.

Just never do anything with any text message. In fact, immediately block the number that texted you.