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Scammers are calling people and using the names of two companies everyone knows, Apple and Amazon, to rip people off. Here’s what you need to know about these calls.

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.

In both scenarios, the scammers say you can conveniently press 1 to speak with someone (how nice of them!). Or they give you a phone number to call. 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.

Read our article to learn how to block unwanted calls on a mobile phone or on your home phone. And if you do get a call you think is a scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Our Anatomy of an Imposter Scam blog series breaks down how to recognize, avoid, and report business and government imposter scams.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
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Common sense
March 05, 2021

In reply to by SueZee

There's no virus, there's no hacking, it's social engineering and phishing using a legitimate remote desktop service to access your PC. These people are amateurs and the only info they get is the info you give, unfortunately technology has far surpassed the average tourist.
DBS
March 16, 2021

In reply to by SueZee

Found out this weekend that my elderly step-dad allowed one of these scammers into his computer - gave them full remote access and he paid them $4,000 to do it. I only found out because his credit union called to ask if he had authorized another $4,000 payment! Poor guy thought $4,000 was a reasonable price to fix the original problem and they had called again to tell him there was another problem that had to be fixed. He showed me the apps installed on the desktop by the scammers to allow them full access. Had to call the credit union, cancel all his accounts, reset all his information, disconnect the computer, do a complete wipe of the whole thing, reset our routers and change all our router/network passwords. Thankfully, his money and ours appear to all be safe. All because he's a naive and trusting soul. Next computer for him will have very strict parental controls on it.
Goo goo
September 08, 2021

In reply to by Bowling babe t

Did u end up having any probs? Same thing happened to me
Joss
March 24, 2021

In reply to by Alex

Did anything come of this. I just pressed one not thinking and the call dropped. Not sure what I’m in for or what to do.
James
April 26, 2021

In reply to by Toscano Plains

I got a similar call from "MINERVA VEGA" (310) 590 6652 with a message claiming to be from Amazon & that I may have some refund or similar to it. It also ask me to press 1 (twice). If is was a fraud, what to do next and/or what to expect and/or other prevention from this sort of scams?
OZ
February 26, 2021

In reply to by upstate it

By pressing 1, you may be connected to a scammer, they are weeding out answering machines. Also, by pressing 1, you are verifying a good number to they can sell your number to other scammers.
Badger09
March 06, 2021

In reply to by upstate it

The scammers are trying to build a suckers list, the more you interact the more your number will be recorded and sold on to other scammers. By talking to them it's bad, by pressing one you show a gullibility by following instructions you show a willingness to follow instructions By giving any sort of personal information you provide them with ammunition that they can use to make the next scam call or email more realistic and effective. So next time either hang up or delete as appropriate. Call your Bank etc if your worried and get on with your day
Stephanie
December 03, 2020
I laugh at the Apple one because I've gotten it many times and not only do I not now or have ever had an iPhone I've never used any Apple anything including iTunes so I KNOW they're frauds. The Amazon one will try to email you as well, have had it too and its all fraudulent.
728899
December 03, 2020
I have had several calls from both organization and have ignored them after first determining they were fake. I called both Apple and Amazon on the phone number listed on their website and verified that they had not contacted me. I have received many robocalls selling things or offering credit card rate reductions. I no longer answer my phone unless I know them. I also do note open any emails that I do not know who they are. I send their emails directly to spam unopened. I am 76 years old.
Jummy
December 03, 2020
Why is the FTC not going after the phone companies that allow the scam calls to happen? Fix the problem at the source and save the consumers time and money.
Always Wary
February 04, 2021

In reply to by Jummy

These companies use the computer to random - dial phone numbers. They also use their phone number only once (probably also randomly generated). If you try to call that number back immediately, the message says that number is no longer in service. They can't be traced or blocked, so we can only endure the plague.
Quit Calling Me
February 15, 2021

In reply to by Always Wary

It's getting worse; I have had over 20 from the Amazon one in the last 12 hours, including multiple calls outside of legal calling hours. If this keeps going, phone numbers will be like emails where you whitelist callers!
Gordon
December 03, 2020
I received that call from amazon today. It really sounded real but I did hang up ayer person wanted me to do things. I hung up and called support on Amazon.
Orundundj
December 07, 2020
I got 3 calls since yesterday saying that they need to approve bot get authorization for purchases I made on Amazon for: $350; $799; and $400. I even wrote my bank’s customer service chat room and Amazon. And checking my bank account every few hours! It’s been unnerving. Glad I saw this email!
Big Country
December 03, 2020
The Apple scam happened to me and I was on the phone for hours off and on all day. I was crying by the time I got off the phone. I’m not the gullible type either but the caller ID number says Apple so why wouldn’t I believe them. Here’s how it goes. YOU GOOGLE APPLES NUMBER AND THE WEBSITE IS A FAKE AND WHEN YOU CALL THEM THEY ASK TO CALL YOU RIGHT BACK. YOU NEED HELP RESETTING YOUR PASSWORD YOU FORGOT. THE SCAMMER SAYS FOR THEM TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD YOU NEED TO SEND MONEY TO A COMPANY THEY USED AMAZON FOR INSTANCE AND THAT THEY WOULS IMMEDIATELY CREDIT THE MONEY BACK IMMEDIATELY AND THAT APPLES POLICY IS TO VERIFY THAT THEY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE FOR SECURITY PURPOSES. You get the rest
Sick and Tired
December 03, 2020
Got 3 of the Apple iCloud calls. The thing is I don't use Apple so I knew immediately it was a scammer. I'm so sick and tired of these scammers calling me and all because I'm an elderly person. They pray on older people because they think we're stupid.
KK
December 03, 2020
I don’t answer my phone anymore due to too many scams. If it’s someone that needs to speak with me they can leave a message. Most don’t.
FLUser
December 03, 2020
The other scam is an email showing a fake Amazon order of a large flat screen TV to an address in another state with a number to call if you need to "cancel" the fake order .. just another way to try and get your account information. Don't call !
consumer alert
December 03, 2020
Also sending face emails ....asking to click on link and then requesting user name and password.................FAKE don't cllick on it, call and confirm with Am Ex and they will probably ask you to forward to their fraud unit.
Buffalo
February 04, 2021

In reply to by consumer alert

Why can't anyone prevent these spoofed high jacked numbers as well.?
TeriM
December 03, 2020
I also got these calls but now they are saying they represent Microsoft too
Professor1933
December 03, 2020
I've had many of the Apple calls -- easy to know it's a scam: I have never had an Apple computer in my life.
H85
December 04, 2020
I rec'd roughly 25 calls from Olivia (Apple) on 2 December. Call Ident on all calls were 360-681-xxxx numbers.
Beachbaby
December 04, 2020
This happened to me months ago with the fakers claiming to be from AMAZON. I feel for it for about a minute and hung up. I then later saw a well known bank, claiming my cards and accounts were suspended. I researched my accounts on all of the above with the real contacts, and told them, but thankfully my stuff is still good. Whatever they try, be pro-active and on your guard!
LynnP
December 04, 2020
I have received three of these on my home phone, not a cell phone. It says I have a charge on my Amazon account, but that due to fraudulent activity on my credit card, they want to ensure I made the purchase. I was to call a certain number. When I checked the number online, it was a robocall and a scam. The tapes they use to play on the call are American speaking, so you think it is coming from the U.S. Always check directly with the company the problem "appears" to be with, do not respond to these calls.
MKZL
December 04, 2020
I just got one of these "alerts" via email.
Queenof Destiny
December 04, 2020
Thank you FTC for providing us with pertinent info.!!! Kudos!!!!
C in Grove City
December 04, 2020
I've been getting these calls for ever it seems. They have increased lately. I've gotten to the point that if I don't recognize the phone number I let it go to voice mail and then block the number from my phone, but they just use another number after awhile!
Anthoni
December 04, 2020
I get these all the time. I was fooled once when I received an email from Apple, that my iCloud was compromised, and ended up having to change my password...never again !
slhsc
December 04, 2020
I agree with one of the commentators that receiving daily emails from the FTC and BBB is the best way to avoid these scams. Our scammer left a voice mail stating that if my husband did not pay his overdue bill for an Amazon purchase he would be arrested! We don't have an Amazon account or an Amazon Prime account, but they don't give up do they? Reporting these calls to Amazon Security/Privacy is just a waste of time.
Pam
December 04, 2020
I succumbed to a scam from someone supposedly calling from Amazon saying that someone was ordering gift cards on my account, and that my computer had been hacked to get my info. Stupidly, I let them install an app in my computer, supposedly to search for the hacker's info. The app is "Any Desk," and I learned later from a google search that it's being used in India to obtain banking info, and people are having their bank accounts wiped out. I reported this all to the FTC. I hung up before they began asking for banking info on the phone to "refund my money." I got Apple support to help me delete the app and do a malware scan. But I don't know what info they managed to get from my computer. I posted an alert on Facebook, warning people not to download "Any Desk" or let anyone into their computer!
Kay
January 06, 2021

In reply to by Pam

Complete same here happened to me, they had me downloaded Any Desk, supremo or something like that, once they showed this " amazon cancelation form" from a 123formbuilder I knew something wasn't right about it
Bruce in Wisconsin
December 04, 2020
I too received a battery of 7 calls leaving voice mail messages in a 2 hour period. What was "interesting" is each call came from a different phone number by "Christine" , and "Christine" gave a different dollar amount each time. A final call came from her "manager" who could not pronounce his name the same way more than once thru-out his message. That made it extra easy to NOT pick-up the calls and then delete their existence.
Mickey
December 04, 2020
I was pranked by amazon. I got an email about my order and that it had shipped. Total was $1,200. I did not place the order and I panicked and called the phone number they gave me. Then I noticed another $2,950 missing from my bank account. It was a fake number and the person I talked to was not an employee.
Shaymart
January 02, 2021

In reply to by Mickey

I fell for 1200.00 call ph. I called the number. Talked with Alex. Please call me shaymart. Because Now I am wary to trust this website.
ChristmasBoy
December 04, 2020
I've had many, many suspicious text messages. I delete every single one and never replied. As of Thanksgiving it stopped. Just ignore them. A buddy had his bank account stolen because he clicked on it and replied. I learned from that incident. Delete every single text messages.
Paula P
December 04, 2020
I have received 2 of these calls already from Amazon. The corker is that I cannot reach someone at Amazon to let them know and to be sure my account is secure.
TT
December 04, 2020
We got about 20 calls in just about a 2 hour span. So many that it ended up being VERY harassing, so I did press 1 and talked to their so called representative and I didn't give them a chance to ask for information, and told them to stop the harassing phone calls coming in about every 7-10 minutes for 2 hours & also told them I was reporting them to FTC. They said they couldn't stop the phone calls because they were on an automatic calling system. I suggested they unplug the entire system and to stop harassing us! I believe we got 2 more calls after that and none since. Those calls are very bothersome having to answer and hang up on several times in a row. GRRRRRRR!!
Rodney
December 04, 2020
I have received the apple calls ALL day today! 7 in total! They are getting more frequent. It's now every 20-30 minutes. I feel this is harrassment! How do I stop this????? What happens if u click on option 1? I am beyond frustrated and it was very disruptive at work today!!!
ronl
February 28, 2021

In reply to by Rodney

I got 7 calls from them yesterday, every 30 minutes for a period of hours. They are starting up again today, 2 so far in the last hour. Why the heck our government make it illegal to create fake caller-id numbers!!! Or, even allow this to be done technically.
Patricia M. Thomas
December 04, 2020
Over a couple of weeks, I would receive 12 plus calls between 4 and 7 p.m. every couple of days. It was always Olivia calling from Apple about an information breach. In addition, the #2 prompt was offered, to be removed from the call list.
Bubbles1769
December 04, 2020
Yes, I did receive 2 calls with reference to AMAZON but I did not answer nor did I pay any attention . I closely follow my order from AMAZON and they have occasionally contacted me directly by mail with enough information to make the contact and /or instructions credible
usdafaye
December 04, 2020
We receive so many of these from Amazon and Apple and other major companies, that we no longer answer phone calls that have designation unknown call, invalid number, no id at all, companies we do not do business with, people we do not know. We let every doubtable call so to voice mail. Can't keep phone from ringing and if it were not for health considerations we would do away with telephones. The phone companies could come up with a solution to stop this, but they will not.
Get with the times
December 07, 2020
This is tremendously disappointing that the FTC is just now reporting on this? This has been happening to me for months. Call protection apps from AT&T are 10% effective and nobody cares. 95% of my incoming calls are robocalls. And I have no options or protection. This should not be a problem. I should not be paying my wireless phone bill to fund robocalls.
FTC Staff
December 07, 2020

In reply to by Get with the times

There are options to deal with unwanted calls. Go to www.FTC.gov/Calls and learn about the options for people with mobile phones, land lines and phone service that comes through the internet.

Jeff
December 05, 2020
Just add to the list Affirm too, I received a call telling me about a suspicion purchase to press 1 to talk to someone.
Leonard
December 05, 2020
After 33 years of Law Enforcement, I guess I can see or hear these scams. I got this one from Amazon about 3 times a week for awhile. "There is a $399. dollar charge on your Amazon card that looks suspicious. Press 1 to talk to a customer service person" The world is full of people that take advantage of others. Just Hang Up.
Mich
December 05, 2020
We have received at least 5 of these calls yesterday and ended up silencing the ringer on our landline. The calls have started again today. I've blocked numbers but they keep changing the number while the message stays the same. Automated call saying it's Amazon and they have a hold on a possible $700+ charge and I need to call. I will not call. Checked my amazon account and everything is fine. This needs to stop. I'm going to have to silence my ringer again today.
Todd
December 05, 2020
Yep I get these types of calls all the time. They even show up on my iPhone as "Unknown" and leave 1-second voicemails. It's weird.
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