$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake AppleCare warranty scam
Scammers call or email claiming your AppleCare warranty is expiring, pressuring you to renew immediately through a fraudulent payment process.
“tech support scam”
↑ 336%Key indicators
Usually targetsiPhone users
Often hitsTech workers and developers
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
Victims receive robocalls or emails stating their AppleCare or Apple warranty is about to expire and must be renewed today.
2
The caller or email directs them to a fake website or keeps them on the phone to collect payment information.
3
Money is charged to the victim's card, or they are instructed to buy Apple gift cards and read the codes to the scammer.
What to do first
Hang up on unsolicited calls about AppleCare — Apple does not make outbound warranty renewal calls.
Related terms
AppleCare renewal scamApple warranty extension fraudTech support scamsAppleSurgingiPhone usersMac usersOlder adultsTech workers and developersRetirees and seniorsDrivers and gig workersUnited StatesCanadaAustraliaAppleCare renewal scamApple warranty extension fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
James, 35, a iphone users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tech support scams situation while using Apple. Victims receive robocalls or emails stating their AppleCare or Apple warranty is about to expire and must be renewed today.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The caller or email directs them to a fake website or keeps them on the phone to collect payment information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Money is charged to the victim's card, or they are instructed to buy Apple gift cards and read the codes to the scammer.
The outcome
James realized something was wrong when unsolicited call or email about applecare expiration you did not expect. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Hang up on unsolicited calls about AppleCare — Apple does not make outbound warranty renewal calls. James's experience shows why unsolicited call or email about applecare expiration you did not expect and caller pressures you to pay immediately to avoid losing coverage are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unsolicited call or email about AppleCare expiration you did not expect
- Caller pressures you to pay immediately to avoid losing coverage
- Payment requested via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- 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
- ✓Hang up on unsolicited calls about AppleCare — Apple does not make outbound warranty renewal calls.
- ✓Check your actual coverage status at checkcoverage.apple.com.
- ✓Report the scam call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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.
- The FTC has received tens of thousands of reports about tech support and warranty renewal scams impersonating major brands including Apple.
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.
- ✓Hang up on unsolicited calls about AppleCare — Apple does not make outbound warranty renewal calls.
- ✓Check your actual coverage status at checkcoverage.apple.com.
- ✓Report the scam call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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.
The FTC has received tens of thousands of reports about tech support and warranty renewal scams impersonating major brands including Apple.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
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
iPhone users, Mac users, Older adults
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Apple — Tech support scams
Why this group is vulnerable
iPhone users 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
- The FTC has received tens of thousands of reports about tech support and warranty renewal scams impersonating major brands including Apple.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake applecare warranty scam
How does the fake applecare warranty scam work?+
Victims receive robocalls or emails stating their AppleCare or Apple warranty is about to expire and must be renewed today. The caller or email directs them to a fake website or keeps them on the phone to collect payment information. Money is charged to the victim's card, or they are instructed to buy Apple gift cards and read the codes to the scammer.
What are the warning signs of fake applecare warranty scam?+
Unsolicited call or email about AppleCare expiration you did not expect Caller pressures you to pay immediately to avoid losing coverage Payment requested via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
What should I do if I encounter fake applecare warranty scam?+
Hang up on unsolicited calls about AppleCare — Apple does not make outbound warranty renewal calls. Check your actual coverage status at checkcoverage.apple.com. Report the scam call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Who is most at risk for fake applecare warranty scam?+
This scam primarily targets iPhone users, Mac users, Older adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Apple.
Is fake applecare warranty scam getting worse?+
fake AppleCare warranty scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Smishing
↑ 27%Bank verification text phishing scam
A text message claims a suspicious bank event happened and pushes the victim to a fake login page before they stop to verify the sender.
What to do first
Do not tap the link from the text.
Targets
Mobile banking users
Seen in
Global
Identity theft
↑ 17%Medical billing identity fraud
Stolen identity details are used for medical claims or treatments, leading to fraudulent bills and corrupted records for the victim.
What to do first
Review insurance explanations of benefits regularly.
Targets
Families
Seen in
U.S.
AI impersonation
↑ 52%Fake lawyer court date payment call
A caller pretending to be a lawyer uses cloned voices and legal jargon to say you missed a court date and need to pay immediately to avoid arrest.
What to do first
End the call and contact the court through its public website or number.
Targets
Older adults
Seen in
U.S.
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.