A new wave of scam text messages is targeting users, falsely stating that their Apple Pay account has been temporarily suspended. These messages instruct recipients to click a link to re-register their payment details to reactivate the service.
According to Faye Lipson, a senior researcher at Which?, these texts are designed to trick individuals into providing their card number, CVV, and billing address on a fraudulent website. Criminals monitor these sites in real-time, quickly using the stolen details to set up digital wallets on their own devices.
Victims may then receive a push notification or one-time passcode, which they unknowingly approve for the fraudster's wallet, granting them access to spend the victim's funds. Similar scams include fake call centres requesting card details or fraudulent shopping sites offering fake bargains.
To stay safe, users are advised not to click links or phone numbers in these suspicious messages. Issues with digital wallets can typically be resolved through phone settings. For any doubts, individuals can call 159 to connect with their bank's fraud team.