Over the past five years, Apple says the App Store has prevented more than US$9 billion in fraudulent transactions. In 2024 alone, they blocked over US$2 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions.
Apple also blocked almost 2 million risky app submissions from reaching users in 2024.
So yes: Apple is doing serious work inside the App Store ecosystem. But "fake Apple Support texts" are mostly outside what the App Store controls.
Why Fake "Apple Support" Texts Still Trick People
Even though Apple is blocking billions in App Store fraud, many scam texts/calls pretending to be "Apple Support" aren't stopped by those measures:
- Different threat vectors: Many scam texts come via SMS, spoofed numbers, or phishing websites - not through the App Store
- Spoofing & impersonation tech: Scammers can fake caller ID and use deceptive sender names
- Human trust + urgency: Fake texts invoke fear like "Your account has been compromised"
- Lack of awareness: Not everyone knows what kinds of messages Apple doesn't send
Examples of Fake "Apple Support" Text Scripts
| Script | What They Say | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| "Suspicious activity detected" | "Your Apple ID has been compromised. Click this link to verify immediately or your account will be locked." | Urgency, fear, suspicious links |
| "iCloud storage expiring" | "Your last payment failed. Reverify your billing info or services will stop." | Asking for billing info via SMS |
| "Refund awaiting" | "You are eligible for a refund. Click here to claim." | Free money lure, unexpected SMS |
What You Should Do
- Don't click unexpected links in texts claiming to be Apple
- Enable Two‑Factor Authentication for your Apple ID
- Check sender carefully - is it a real Apple domain?
- Ignore urgency tactics - if it says "do this now," be suspicious
- Use official apps/websites for Apple support
- Report phishing texts to Apple and your carrier
Verdict: Hype or Help?
Help: Apple's $9B+ fraud blocking is real and protects users within their ecosystem.
Hype if you assume everything is safe: The gaps remain big for SMS, impersonation, and social engineering outside of apps.
Apple is a fortress on its own walls, but the road to the gate - SMS, caller ID, phishing websites - is less well guarded.