As of the end of 2015, Apple claimed that over 100 million iPhones were in use in the United States, the majority of these iPhones are newer models. Over 60 million of these iPhones were iPhone 6 or 6s.
Apple has developed a large group of loyal customers who wait excitedly for the next phone or device they are coming out with. Recently, many people have been getting text messages claiming that Apple is looking for beta testers of the new iPhone 7 that will come out early September 2016.
If your an Apple fan, the opportunity to test their latest project might be a dream come true, unfortunately this too-goo-to-be-true text is just that. The iPhone 7 beta tester text is a phone scam that is becoming more popular as hype around the new launch builds.
How the iPhone Beta Tester Phone Scam Works
If you get a text, call, or email regarding positions as a beta tester with Apple, then you need to beware.
This scam is most commonly carried out through text messages, and is a form of SMS phishing. The message will normally feature a link to a website where you can "apply" for the tester job. The website will ask you to put in your personal information so you can apply for the job.
Any of the information that you put on this so-called application will be sold to a third party or used to steal your identity.
In many cases, the link that is embedded in the text will have a virus or malware. By clicking the link you may be installing harmful malware that can be used to steal the sensitive information that you have saved on your phone. The virus contained in this link could cause your cell phone to lock up and become unusable.
Whenever you get a text from an unknown number and there is a link included it's best to be skeptical and not click it. The potential risk of exposing personal information to scammers is very high.
Scammers also target victims by sending emails and posting on social media about the opportunity to beta test for Apple. Never click on links that seem suspicious and offer too-good-to-be-true rewards.
How to Avoid the Scammers
The best way for you to avoid scams like the iPhone 7 beta tester text message is by educating yourself. Here are some ways of identifying and avoiding this text scam:
- Apple does not ask randomly selected people to be beta testers for them via text message, email, or social media.
- You should never be requested to enter any personal information like credit card or bank account information, social security number, etc. when filling out an application or survey.
- URLs can sometimes be deceiving and include a brand name, but they should not be trusted. If a URL has the brand name as part of the subdomain (e.g. apple.genericwebsitename.com) or part of a longer URL (e.g. testphonetextwinner.com) or if it is followed by an uncommon domain (i.e. it's not a dot com, dot org, dot net, etc.)
- Keep an eye out for spelling and grammatical mistakes in the messages, this is a sure sign of a scam
If you get a text that has some of these features, block the number.
Filing a Report
The best way to protect yourself and others from falling victim to this type of scam is by spreading the word about it and reporting phone scams. The Apple iPhone beta tester scam should be reported directly to the Federal Trade Commission. You can also use the power of CallerSmart's community phone book to alert people by leaving your feedback on the number that tried to scam you. By simply leaving a comment you can help prevent a person from potentially getting scammed.
You can use CallerSmart's cell phone number lookup app to identify unknown calls and report payday phone scams. If you don't have an iPhone or iPad, you can still run reverse phone lookups on suspicious numbers and leave your feedback on our website.