Those affected are then tricked into passing on the activation code for Apple Pay to the criminals under false pretenses. This means you confirm your own credit card as the new Apple Pay payment method on a third-party device. The criminals then empty the account! Our partners from Watchlist Internet warn.

The Apple Pay trick

We are receiving increasing reports of a new scam involving Apple Pay. Particularly clever: Those affected only notice the fraud very late - or with their credit card statement. Since this only arrives after a month, the criminals can cause major financial damage in the meantime. In addition, those affected have problems demanding their money back because they acted negligently when entering the TAN or SMS code. Read more about this scam and how you can protect yourself here!  

New scam: Criminals steal your credit card information and use it to try to activate ApplePay on someone else's device. Image: Unsplash
New scam: Criminals steal your credit card information and use it to try to activate ApplePay on someone else's device. Image: Unsplash

Criminals steal credit card details and personal information

Have you also received a notification from Netflix or Disney+, via email or SMS? In these phishing messages, criminals claim that you have not paid an outstanding invoice or that your payment details are out of date. But be careful, these messages are well-disguised fakes! Fraudsters want to access your credit card information and use it to try to activate Apple Pay on someone else's device.
 

Criminals try to get your data using well-disguised phishing or smishing messages. Screenshots: Watchlist Internet
Criminals try to get your data using well-disguised phishing or smishing messages. Screenshots: Watchlist Internet

The criminals work with fake login pages. So far we are aware of scams involving fake streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+. When you log into these fake sites, a message pops up that a payment is pending. You have 24 hours to verify your payment information or your account will be suspended.

You will now be asked to provide personal information such as name, date of birth, telephone number and address. Next, you'll need to provide your bank details.
 

Criminals steal personal information on the fake Netflix site. Screenshot: Watchlist Internet
Criminals steal personal information on the fake Netflix site. Screenshot: Watchlist Internet
Criminals demand payment details. Screenshot: Watchlist internet
Criminals demand payment details. Screenshot: Watchlist internet

Fraud continues: Credit card is deposited for Apple Pay


Once you have entered your credit card details, the criminals try to activate your credit card for Apple Pay in the background on someone else's smartphone. Depending on the credit card provider, they often require additional approval from you. You will therefore simultaneously receive a message from Apple Pay or your bank with a code. You will be asked to enter this code on the website.  

You will be asked to enter the code to unlock Apple Pay. Screenshot: Watchlist Internet
You will be asked to enter the code to unlock Apple Pay. Screenshot: Watchlist Internet

As you can see in the screenshot above, the criminals explain that linking to Apple Pay is done to secure your payments. In reality, the criminals use your data to set up Apple Pay on someone else's device so that they can use it to pay anywhere.

In many cases, the code to activate Apple Pay is not requested until a few days later. Criminals will call you and pretend to be a bank. Under a made-up pretext, they ask you to authorize an action or pass a code that will reach you during the conversation. The person on the phone is very stubborn and you are usually put under a lot of pressure.  

Do not enter any TAN or SMS confirmation codes in website masks! Netflix, Disney+ or other services do not ask for TAN codes from your bank or credit card!

Are you affected? This is what needs to be done now


Have you provided credit card details and personal information?

  • Contact your credit card provider. You may need to block your card.
  • Beware of scam calls. Criminals may pose as your bank and demand the release of payments. Remember: Bank employees never ask for personal data such as TAN codes over the telephone or request the approval of payments!

Was your credit card fraudulently activated for Apple Pay?

  • Contact your credit card provider immediately and have your card blocked!
  • Those affected often only realize very late that their credit card has been stored on someone else's device. The fraudsters have often already paid large amounts. Since you have approved the deposit of the credit card on the criminals' device, the money does not need to be refunded by the credit card provider. However, you may be able to agree on a goodwill solution.
  • Here you can find security information about Apple Pay
     

Advice & help

For specific advice requests, please contact the relevant offices that we have listed for you Advice & Help www.watchlist-internet.at/beratung-hilfe .

Source:

Watchlist Internet
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