$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
FaceTime screen recording scam
Scammers initiate a FaceTime call, trick the victim into sharing sensitive information on screen, then use the recording for blackmail or identity theft.
“tech support scam”
↑ 336%Key indicators
Usually targetsYoung adults
Often hitsEducators and students
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.2K
median reported loss
Typical range$120 – $30K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports37,560
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers call via FaceTime posing as tech support, a bank representative, or someone the victim knows.
2
They convince the victim to share their screen or display sensitive information like bank apps, passwords, or personal documents.
3
The scammer records the session and uses captured data for identity theft, account takeover, or extortion.
What to do first
Never share your screen on FaceTime with anyone you did not initiate the call with.
Related terms
FaceTime recording blackmailvideo call screen capture scamTech support scamsAppleSurgingYoung adultsAdultsiPhone usersEducators and studentsRetirees and seniorsDrivers and gig workersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaFaceTime recording blackmailvideo call screen capture scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Priya, 24, a young adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tech support scams situation while using Apple. Scammers call via FaceTime posing as tech support, a bank representative, or someone the victim knows.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They convince the victim to share their screen or display sensitive information like bank apps, passwords, or personal documents.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The scammer records the session and uses captured data for identity theft, account takeover, or extortion.
The outcome
Priya realized something was wrong when unexpected facetime call from an unknown number or contact. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never share your screen on FaceTime with anyone you did not initiate the call with. Priya's experience shows why unexpected facetime call from an unknown number or contact and caller asks you to share your screen or show personal information during the call are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unexpected FaceTime call from an unknown number or contact
- Caller asks you to share your screen or show personal information during the call
- Caller claims to be from tech support and needs to see your screen to fix an issue
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never share your screen on FaceTime with anyone you did not initiate the call with.
- ✓If someone claims to be from a company, hang up and call the company directly using their official number.
- ✓Report suspicious FaceTime activity to Apple and block the caller.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Screen-sharing scams have been identified by the FBI as a growing vector for financial fraud, with video call platforms increasingly exploited.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Never share your screen on FaceTime with anyone you did not initiate the call with.
- ✓If someone claims to be from a company, hang up and call the company directly using their official number.
- ✓Report suspicious FaceTime activity to Apple and block the caller.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Screen-sharing scams have been identified by the FBI as a growing vector for financial fraud, with video call platforms increasingly exploited.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Young adults, Adults, iPhone users
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Apple — Tech support scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Young adults are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Screen-sharing scams have been identified by the FBI as a growing vector for financial fraud, with video call platforms increasingly exploited.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about facetime screen recording scam
How does the facetime screen recording scam work?+
Scammers call via FaceTime posing as tech support, a bank representative, or someone the victim knows. They convince the victim to share their screen or display sensitive information like bank apps, passwords, or personal documents. The scammer records the session and uses captured data for identity theft, account takeover, or extortion.
What are the warning signs of facetime screen recording scam?+
Unexpected FaceTime call from an unknown number or contact Caller asks you to share your screen or show personal information during the call Caller claims to be from tech support and needs to see your screen to fix an issue
What should I do if I encounter facetime screen recording scam?+
Never share your screen on FaceTime with anyone you did not initiate the call with. If someone claims to be from a company, hang up and call the company directly using their official number. Report suspicious FaceTime activity to Apple and block the caller.
Who is most at risk for facetime screen recording scam?+
This scam primarily targets Young adults, Adults, iPhone users. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Apple.
Is facetime screen recording scam getting worse?+
FaceTime screen recording scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.