$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake app notification then email scam
A push notification from a malicious app warns of a security issue, followed by a phishing email with instructions to resolve it, creating a convincing multi-channel attack.
“phishing scam”
↑ 700%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline users
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
A malicious or compromised app sends a push notification about a security breach or suspicious activity.
2
A phishing email follows, referencing the notification and providing a link to resolve the issue.
3
Victims who received the notification consider the email legitimate and click through to the phishing page.
What to do first
Open the official app directly from your home screen rather than clicking links in emails referencing notifications.
Related terms
push notification phishing comboapp alert then email scamnotification-primed phishingMulti-channel phishing scamsEmailSurgingOnline usersAll consumersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited Kingdompush notification phishing comboapp alert then email scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kenji, 35, a online users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate multi-channel phishing scams situation while using Email. A malicious or compromised app sends a push notification about a security breach or suspicious activity.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: A phishing email follows, referencing the notification and providing a link to resolve the issue.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Victims who received the notification consider the email legitimate and click through to the phishing page.
The outcome
Kenji realized something was wrong when a push notification about a security issue appears from an app you do not remember installing. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Open the official app directly from your home screen rather than clicking links in emails referencing notifications. Kenji's experience shows why a push notification about a security issue appears from an app you do not remember installing and a follow-up email references the notification and asks you to click a link to secure your account are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- A push notification about a security issue appears from an app you do not remember installing
- A follow-up email references the notification and asks you to click a link to secure your account
- The email sender domain does not match the app's official domain
- 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
- ✓Open the official app directly from your home screen rather than clicking links in emails referencing notifications.
- ✓Review and remove apps you do not recognize — check app permissions regularly.
- ✓Report the phishing email and uninstall the suspicious app immediately.
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.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
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.
- Mobile phishing attacks have increased significantly, with Lookout reporting that mobile phishing encounter rates hit an all-time high in 2023.
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.
- ✓Open the official app directly from your home screen rather than clicking links in emails referencing notifications.
- ✓Review and remove apps you do not recognize — check app permissions regularly.
- ✓Report the phishing email and uninstall the suspicious app immediately.
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.
Mobile phishing attacks have increased significantly, with Lookout reporting that mobile phishing encounter rates hit an all-time high in 2023.
OpenScam research
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
Online users, All consumers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom
Primary channel
Email — Multi-channel phishing scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online 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
- Mobile phishing attacks have increased significantly, with Lookout reporting that mobile phishing encounter rates hit an all-time high in 2023.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake app notification then email scam
How does the fake app notification then email scam work?+
A malicious or compromised app sends a push notification about a security breach or suspicious activity. A phishing email follows, referencing the notification and providing a link to resolve the issue. Victims who received the notification consider the email legitimate and click through to the phishing page.
What are the warning signs of fake app notification then email scam?+
A push notification about a security issue appears from an app you do not remember installing A follow-up email references the notification and asks you to click a link to secure your account The email sender domain does not match the app's official domain
What should I do if I encounter fake app notification then email scam?+
Open the official app directly from your home screen rather than clicking links in emails referencing notifications. Review and remove apps you do not recognize — check app permissions regularly. Report the phishing email and uninstall the suspicious app immediately.
Who is most at risk for fake app notification then email scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online users, All consumers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom and typically appears on Email.
Is fake app notification then email scam getting worse?+
fake app notification then email scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK. 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.
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