Scam messages have gotten very convincing — fake delivery notices, "your account is locked" warnings, even messages that look like they're from Apple or your bank. The goal is always to rush you into clicking a link or handing over information. Slow down, and most scams give themselves away.
Red flags to watch for
- Urgency or threats — "Act now," "Your account will be closed," "Final notice."
- Unexpected links or attachments — especially a tracking link for a package you didn't order.
- An address that's slightly "off" — a sender or web address with odd spelling (like app1e-support.com).
- A request for personal info — passwords, verification codes, payment, or gift cards.
- Too good to be true — prizes, refunds, or inheritances you never expected.
What to do
- Don't tap the link or call any number in the message.
- Verify on your own — if it claims to be your bank or Apple, open their official app or type their real website yourself.
- Never share a password or a security code sent to your phone — no legitimate company will ask for it.
- Report and delete it. On an iPhone you can report junk messages; you can also forward scam texts to 7726 (it spells "SPAM"), then delete the message.
Don't forget phone-call scams
Scammers don't only text and email — they call, too. A common one: someone claims to be from Apple, Microsoft, your bank, or a government agency, warning that your computer has a virus or your account's been hacked — and they need remote access or a payment to "fix" it.
- Apple and Microsoft will never call you out of the blue about a virus or a computer problem.
- Never give remote access to your computer unless you placed the call to a company you already trust (like us).
- Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — no legitimate company asks for those.
- If a call feels off, just hang up. Then call the company back on a number you look up yourself — never the number the caller gives you.
Apple, Microsoft, and your bank will never call, text, or email you out of the blue asking for your password, a verification code, remote access, or payment. When in doubt, don't engage — ask us first. If you think you already clicked, shared something, or let someone onto your computer, change that password right away and give us a call.