Fake Apple & Microsoft Security Alerts Cost Seniors $700M – Don’t Fall for This Scam

Date: August 8, 2025

Source: Consumer Fraud Report

What Happened

Seniors across the U.S. lost $700 million in 2025 to impersonation scammers. One of the most common tricks: a fake security alert pops up on your computer, claiming to be from Apple or Microsoft. It warns that your accounts have been hacked and tells you to call a phone number for help.

But here’s the truth: those calls go directly to scammers. They’ll try to convince you to move or send money to “protect” your accounts—when really, they’re stealing it.

How to Protect Yourself

Think of online safety like exercise: it takes daily practice to stay strong. Here are your digital fitness moves:

• 🛑 Never transfer or send money based on an unexpected call, text, or pop-up.

• 📵 Block scam calls using your phone’s call-blocking features or apps.

• 📞 Verify before you trust. If someone claims to be from a company or government agency, hang up. Look up the real phone number on the official website and call them yourself.

• ❌ Ignore numbers in pop-ups, emails, or texts. These are almost always fake.

Call to Action

Just like you wouldn’t lift a heavy weight without warming up, don’t click or call without checking first. Build your digital muscles: practice hanging up, blocking, and verifying every time.

👉 Your daily workout:

1. Stop.

2. Block.

3. Verify.

It’s the best defense against scammers trying to rob your hard-earned security.

A senior woman looking at her laptop, concerned about online scams.