App Store Refund Scams
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, according to the FTC.
Quick Answer
App Store refund scams are a type of tech support or imposter scam where criminals, posing as representatives from companies like Apple or Microsoft, trick victims into giving them money or sensitive financial information under the guise of processing a refund for an app or service.
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How It Works
1
A scammer contacts you through an unsolicited phone call, email, text message, or a pop-up warning on your computer. They impersonate a well-known tech company like Apple, Microsoft, or Geek Squad and claim you are owed a refund for a service or that there is a problem with your account.
2
To process the fake refund, the scammer asks for remote access to your computer or directs you to a fraudulent website. They will then ask for your bank account or credit card details to deposit the money.
3
The scammer creates a deception that they have accidentally refunded you too much money. They will show you a fake screen or manipulate what you see on your bank account page to make it look like a large sum has been deposited. They then create a sense of urgency and panic, demanding you immediately return the 'overpayment'.
4
The victim is pressured to "return" the excess money by purchasing gift cards (such as App Store & iTunes gift cards), using a wire transfer, or sending cryptocurrency. Once the victim sends the gift card codes or transfers the money, the scammer disappears, and the victim's money is lost.
Red Flags
- Receiving an unsolicited call, text, or email about a refund for a service you don't remember purchasing.
- A pop-up security alert on your computer that asks you to call a phone number.
- The representative asks for remote access to your computer to process a refund.
- You are asked to provide your credit card number, bank account details, or other personal financial information to receive a refund.
- The caller claims to have accidentally refunded you too much money and pressures you to return the difference.
- You are instructed to pay using gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. The FTC states that anyone who demands payment by gift card is always a scammer.
- High-pressure tactics, threats, or a sense of extreme urgency from the caller.
What to Do If Targeted
- Do not click on links or call phone numbers in unsolicited emails, texts, or pop-up warnings. Legitimate companies will not contact you this way about a problem.
- Never give remote access to your computer to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Do not share personal or financial information like your bank account details, credit card number, or passwords with anyone who contacts you for a refund.
- If you paid a scammer with a gift card, contact the gift card company immediately. Tell them the gift card was used in a scam and ask if they can refund the money.
- If you paid with a credit or debit card, contact your bank or card issuer right away. Report the fraud and ask them to dispute the charge.
- If you gave a scammer your username and password, change your password on that and any other account using the same one immediately.
How to Report It
- FTC — File a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission. This helps law enforcement build cases against scammers.
- FBI IC3 — Report internet-based crime to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- Apple — Forward suspicious emails that appear to be from Apple to their phishing analysis team.
- FCC — File a complaint about phone scams, robocalls, or unwanted calls with the Federal Communications Commission.
- AARP Fraud Helpline — Call 877-908-3360 for free support from trained fraud specialists. Available to anyone, not just AARP members.
Key Statistics
- Consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase over 2023. — FTC 2025
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that scammers stole a record $16.6 billion in 2024. — FBI IC3 2025
- Tech support scams cost the elderly community nearly $590 million in 2023, more than double the financial losses reported in 2021. — F1000Research / AARP 2025
- From 2020 through 2023, Apple prevented a combined total of over $7 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions on its App Store. — Apple 2024
- Imposter scams were the most commonly reported scam category to the FTC in 2024, with reported losses of $2.95 billion. — FTC 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
A tech support refund scam is when a fraudster calls and offers you a refund for a previous tech support service. They may claim the company is going out of business or that you were overcharged. Their goal is not to give you money, but to trick you into sending them money or giving them access to your financial accounts.
Scammers demand payment via gift cards because they are like cash and are nearly untraceable. Once you provide the numbers from the back of the card, the scammer can quickly drain the funds. According to the FTC, no legitimate business or government agency will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards.
Legitimate companies like Apple will not contact you by phone, email, or text to tell you there's a problem with your computer or that you are owed a refund. Genuine purchase receipts from the App Store or iTunes will include your billing address, which scammers are unlikely to have. Never call a number from a pop-up or unsolicited message.
If you allowed a scammer to access your computer, disconnect it from the internet immediately. Run a security scan with legitimate antivirus software to find and remove any malware they may have installed. It is also recommended to have your computer checked by a trusted, professional technician. Finally, change all of your important passwords for email, banking, and other online accounts.
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