Scam category
Fake app scams
Fake app scams trick users into downloading applications that steal data, charge hidden subscription fees, or impersonate legitimate services. Fleeceware apps offer a free trial, then charge exorbitant weekly fees after the trial ends. Fake banking and crypto apps mimic real institutions to harvest login credentials. Even official app stores struggle to catch every fraudulent listing before it reaches users.
Category activity
“fake app”
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- The app requests permissions far beyond what its stated function requires, such as a flashlight app asking for contacts and SMS access.
- The developer name does not match the official company and the app has very few reviews or only five-star reviews posted on the same day.
- A free trial requires your credit card and the cancellation process is deliberately hidden or confusing.
Common searches
OpenScam News Feed
App Store imposter app scam
Fraudulent apps mimic popular legitimate apps in the Apple App Store using similar names, icons, and screenshots to trick users into downloading malware or paying for useless subscriptions.
Verify the developer name before downloading and follow links from the official company website to the correct App Store listing
Smartphone users
U.S.
Google Play Store clone app scam
Malicious clone apps on Google Play copy the branding and functionality of popular apps to harvest user data, inject ads, or install additional malware.
Download apps only from verified developer accounts and check that the developer matches the official company
Android users
U.S.
fake banking app scam
Fraudsters create counterfeit banking apps that mimic real banks to steal login credentials, account numbers, and personal information from unsuspecting users.
Download banking apps only from links on your bank official website or by searching the official app store directly
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake VPN app scam
Malicious apps posing as free VPN services actually log user browsing data, inject ads, or route traffic through servers controlled by the scammer.
Use only well-established VPN providers with transparent privacy policies and third-party security audits
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake photo editor app scam
Scam photo editing apps lure users with free filters and features, then demand expensive subscriptions, harvest photos, or install adware on the device.
Check app permissions before installing and deny access to data the app does not need for its core function
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake QR scanner app scam
Malicious QR code scanner apps request excessive permissions and display aggressive ads or install malware, despite smartphones having built-in QR scanning capability.
Use your phone built-in camera QR scanning feature rather than downloading a third-party scanner app
Smartphone users
U.S.
fleeceware subscription trap scam
Fleeceware apps offer minimal functionality for extreme subscription prices, often enrolling users during a deceptively short free trial that auto-converts to charges of up to 200 USD per year.
Always cancel subscriptions through your phone settings rather than just deleting the app
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake antivirus app scam
Bogus antivirus apps display fake threat warnings to scare users into purchasing premium versions or granting device administrator permissions that enable data theft.
Use antivirus apps only from established security companies such as Norton, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, or Kaspersky
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake crypto wallet app scam
Counterfeit cryptocurrency wallet apps impersonate popular wallets like MetaMask or Trust Wallet to steal private keys and drain user crypto holdings.
Download crypto wallet apps only from links on the wallet official website and verify the developer name in the app store
Crypto users
U.S.
fake fitness tracker app scam
Fraudulent fitness and health apps collect sensitive biometric and health data under the guise of step counting or workout tracking, then sell or exploit this data.
Use fitness apps from established developers like Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava, or Fitbit
Smartphone users
U.S.
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