Apple has issued a new warning to all iPhone users about a fast-growing scam that is draining victims' bank accounts.
Cybercriminals are exploiting FaceTime video calls and invitation links to impersonate bank employees, tech support agents, government officials, and romantic partners.
The tech giant warned that scammers are using live video to gain the trust of victims before stealing their money or personal information. Unlike standard phone calls, FaceTime allows fraudsters to interact face to face, creating a level of familiarity that consumer advocates say makes the deception far more convincing.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, develops the iPhone and its iOS operating system. FaceTime is Apple's proprietary video calling service built into iOS devices, allowing users to make video calls over cellular networks or Wi-Fi.
Many of the fraudulent schemes begin with a text message warning the recipient about suspicious activity on a bank account or credit card. Victims are then told they must switch to a FaceTime call so an alleged fraud specialist can complete additional verification.
During the video call, scammers often persuade people to share their screens while logging into online banking, transferring money, or entering one-time security codes. That gives criminals a live view of passwords, account details, and verification codes they can immediately exploit.
Apple is urging customers to report suspicious FaceTime calls and invitation links, acknowledging that fraudsters are increasingly using the service as part of phishing and impersonation attacks. The company also stresses that legitimate Apple employees will never make unsolicited FaceTime calls asking for passwords, verification codes, or other sensitive information, advising users to end the conversation immediately if anyone does.
Fake technical support calls
Criminals are also posing as Apple or Microsoft technical support representatives after sending fraudulent security alerts claiming a device has been hacked or infected with malware.
Victims are told a technician needs to inspect their iPhone or computer over FaceTime to resolve the problem, Consumer Affairs reported. They are then walked through installing remote-access software, changing security settings, or revealing login credentials that hand control of their devices and accounts directly to the scammer.
Microsoft is a technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that develops the Windows operating system and computer software. Consumer Affairs is a consumer advocacy and news publication that reports on marketplace fraud and consumer safety.
Impersonation of government officials
FaceTime has also become a tool for government impersonation scams. Fraudsters pretending to represent local police departments, federal agencies, or foreign law enforcement escalate from phone calls to video chats to make their stories appear more credible.
Some scammers display fake badges, uniforms, or official-looking credentials while falsely accusing victims of crimes, identity theft, or outstanding warrants.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, legitimate law enforcement agencies do not demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. The agency emphasized that law enforcement will never instruct people to pay with cryptocurrency, gift cards, payment apps, or wire transfers.
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government established to protect consumers and enforce civil antitrust law.
Romance scams and artificial intelligence
Romance scams have also evolved with the use of FaceTime. Instead of relying solely on text messages, scammers conduct short video conversations to convince victims they are genuine before requesting money, investment funds, or gift cards.
Security experts warn that some criminals use lookalikes, prerecorded videos, heavy filters, or even AI-generated imagery to make the deception more believable.
Experts say the greatest risk is psychological, noting that seeing and hearing someone in real time can lower a person's guard, making them more likely to believe the caller is legitimate even though FaceTime itself does not verify a person's identity.
Consumer protection recommendations
Consumer protection agencies recommend never sharing your screen during an unsolicited FaceTime call, never providing passwords, verification codes, or banking credentials, and refusing any request to move money into a so-called safe account.
If you receive a suspicious FaceTime call, experts advise hanging up immediately and contacting your bank, Apple, or the government agency directly using a phone number listed on its official website rather than one provided by the caller.
Social engineering and Apple ID threats
Another money-grabbing scam was uncovered in May, with cybercriminals sending iPhone users text messages that say "high alert" and claiming their Apple ID is locked, or warning that unauthorized charges were made through Apple Pay.
Apple has warned users about this type of scheme, known as social engineering, which is a targeted attack that relies on impersonation, deception, and manipulation to gain access to personal data.
In social engineering attacks, scammers pretend to be representatives of a trusted company or entity over the phone or through other communication methods. They often use sophisticated tactics to persuade victims to hand over personal details such as sign-in credentials, security codes, and financial information.
An Apple ID is an authentication account used on Apple devices to access services such as iCloud and the App Store. Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service developed by Apple that lets users make payments in iOS apps and on the web.
