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Macs are often considered more secure than other computers, and Apple has built several protections into its devices. But those protections cannot stop every scam. Instead of trying to break into a Mac, scammers often try to trick the person using it. They might send a fake invoice, create a warning that looks like an Apple security alert, or pretend to be customer support. In many cases, they don’t need to hack anything. They just need someone to trust the message and follow its instructions.
These online scams usually fall into two categories: fake payment requests and messages that misuse Apple’s name.
Scams That Look Like Ordinary Payment Requests
1. Fake Invoices
You might receive an invoice for several hundred dollars from a company you don’t recognize. The message may include a phone number to call if you believe the charge is a mistake. That number, however, may connect you directly to the scammer. Some common invoice-based scams discussed on the cybersecurity blog Moonlock use genuine payment requests, with the fraudulent message written in the notes section. This makes them harder to spot because the notification itself may actually come from PayPal.
If you receive an unexpected invoice, don’t call the number listed in the message or click its links. Open PayPal or the relevant payment service yourself and check your account. If you can’t find the invoice there, report the request and delete the message.
2. Overpayment and Refund Scams
In this type of scam, a buyer claims to have sent you more money than necessary and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment may later be reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the money you sent back.
Never refund an alleged overpayment just because you received a payment notification or a screenshot. Check your account directly and contact your payment provider if anything looks unusual. Don’t send money back until the payment has been confirmed and any concerns have been resolved.
3. Fake Payment Confirmations
People selling items online may receive a screenshot or email that appears to confirm a payment. The buyer then pressures them to ship the item, sometimes claiming the money will be released once a tracking number is provided.
These screenshots and emails can be made to look convincing, but they don’t prove that money has reached your account. Before shipping anything, sign in to your payment service directly and confirm that the payment is there and available.
Scams That Use Apple’s Name
4. Fake Apple Pay and Apple Wallet Alerts
Some Apple Wallet scams include you receiving a text message or seeing a pop-up claiming that Apple Pay was used to make a purchase you don’t recognize. The message may tell you to click a link or call a number to dispute the charge.
Some versions display a full-screen page that looks as though a payment is being processed. The aim is to make the situation seem urgent so that you act without checking whether the alert is genuine.
The link may lead to a fake support page that asks for your Apple Account password and card details. Scammers may also try to obtain a verification code so they can add a payment card to their own device.
5. Fake Apple Support Calls and Pop-Ups
A suspicious website can display a warning claiming your Mac has been locked or infected with a virus. The page may fill the screen and tell you to call a support number immediately.
The warning is designed to frighten you into contacting the people behind it. They may then ask you to install remote-access software, giving them the ability to view or control your computer. From there, they might try to access personal information, install unwanted software, or persuade you to transfer money.
Apple advises users to ignore unsolicited calls claiming to be from Apple Support and to contact the company through its official channels instead.
6. Gift Card Payment Scams
Some Apple scams get more creative. Someone may ask you to pay a bill, settle a debt, or cover a fee using Apple Gift Cards. They might tell you to buy the cards and read out the codes printed on the back.
Apple Gift Cards are intended for purchases from Apple, not for paying government fees, utility bills, or other unrelated expenses. Anyone demanding gift card codes as payment is a major warning sign.
Once a scammer uses the codes, recovering the money can be difficult. Never share a gift card code with someone who claims you must pay them to resolve an urgent problem.
7. Fake Apple Account Sign-In Pages
Scammers sometimes create websites that closely resemble Apple’s sign-in page, copying its logo, colors, and layout. The page asks for your Apple Account email and password and may then request a six-digit verification code.
With those details, a scammer may be able to sign in to your real account while you’re entering the information on the fake page.
Online Payment Fraud Detection That’s Worth It
When shopping online, a credit card may offer better online payment fraud protection than a debit card or payment app if something goes wrong. It’s also worth enabling two-factor authentication on your Apple Account and payment services. If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from Apple, forward it to [email protected] before deleting it. If you lose money to a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible and report the incident at ic3.gov.
So what is the most common type of online fraud? The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report lists phishing and spoofing as the most commonly reported types of online crime, with nearly 192,000 complaints out of around one million. They were reported more often than extortion and investment scams.