Fake iPad order...

[bizzwriter]

Had something weird happen to me yesterday.

My main gmail address got bombed with spam -- hundreds of signups for all sorts of websites around the world, all executed within a 3 or 4 hour window of time. As I sifted through them -- and sent the messages to spam -- I noticed an Apple Store order for an iPad that I didn't order.

Someone ordered the iPad using my email address, but coupled with my wife's name and phone number.

That was followed maybe 15 minutes later with a change of delivery address notice, to an address in Compton, CA (Los Angeles area).

I made a beeline to my Apple Store account -- nothing there except my order for a new iPhone 15 Pro. Then checked my wife's Apple Store account -- same thing.

I called Apple and told them what happened, offering the order number. They wouldn't take action unless I gave them my Apple ID, which I didn't want to do because I didn't want them to "accidentally" cancel my iPhone order.

I was bummed that they wouldn't let me report the fraudulent order without my Apple ID.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[Chuckeee]

I suspect that the fake orders had a phone number or a link. Either would have send you to a scammer or some other crook.

 

[bizzwriter]

I suspect that the fake orders had a phone number or a link. Either would have send you to a scammer or some other crook.

Yeah -- not in this case. It was a real order confirmation from Apple, using my email address and my wife's name and phone number. All the links in the confirmation were legit Apple links. The delivery address was in the LA area -- I'm in the San Diego area.

 

[chabig]

It was a real order confirmation from Apple

I still don't believe it was anything other than a phishing attack. Check your credit card for a charge. If none, it was fake.

 

[HDFan]

I was bummed that they wouldn't let me report the fraudulent order without my Apple ID.

Requiring the Apple ID associated with the order is a normal security measure. Otherwise anyone with just an order number could wreck havoc.

 

[floral]

Are you sure it wasn't just a (while very efficiently) faked Apple Store receipt?

 

[bizzwriter]

Requiring the Apple ID associated with the order is a normal security measure. Otherwise anyone with just an order number could wreck havoc.

Yeah -- makes sense, though since I didn't order the iPad, my Apple ID would have had nothing to do with the order number anyway. I'm curious how the iPad was paid for -- stolen credit card, Apple gift cards, etc.

 

[bizzwriter]

I still don't believe it was anything other than a phishing attack. Check your credit card for a charge. If none, it was fake.

The thing is, all the links in the order confirmation are legit Apple links. Nothing on my credit card.

 

[HDFan]

my Apple ID would have had nothing to do with the order number anyway.

The fact that another Apple ID was linked to the order presents another issue. I had a fraudulent federal tax return filed under my name. I tried to find out who did it but the IRS wouldn't tell me because of privacy concerns even though it was my tax return!

 

[webbga]

I have received numerous "fake" Apple order notifications. Most include a link asking you to notify if this is not your order. I ignored the mall and nothign ever got charged to my card.

 

[I7guy]

The thing is, all the links in the order confirmation are legit Apple links. Nothing on my credit card.

If nothing got charged to your card I wouldn’t worry. It sounds like phishing.

 

[bizzwriter]

The fact that another Apple ID was linked to the order presents another issue. I had a fraudulent federal tax return filed under my name. I tried to find out who did it but the IRS wouldn't tell me because of privacy concerns even though it was my tax return!

Wow!