A fraudulent scam promising free Apple mystery boxes full of products like iPhones, AirPods, and MacBooks has been circulating on social media and email. The scam uses fake ads and websites to fool users into signing up for unwanted subscriptions. If you come across offers for an Apple mystery box online, know that it is a scam designed to steal your money.
Scam Overview
The Apple mystery box scam is a deceitful subscription scam sweeping social media and email that claims to offer free mystery boxes full of Apple products like iPhones, AirPods and MacBooks. Scam advertisements convince users they can receive a box of Apple tech products just for completing a quick survey. However, the entire offer is an elaborate ruse to obtain users’ personal data and enroll them into unwanted subscription plans.
The scam ads look extremely convincing by using Apple’s iconic branding and images of Apple products in a mystery box. The ads claim that to celebrate a new product launch, excess inventory or some other fabricated reason, Apple is giving away free mystery boxes to select lucky individuals who complete a short survey.
After clicking on the survey link, users are taken to sophisticated fake websites dressed up to look like legitimate Apple survey pages. Everything from the design to logo makes the scam sites look real at first glance. The sites prompt users to provide personal information like name, email, home address and phone number under the guise it is required for the survey.
After completing the survey, users receive a congratulatory message that they have been selected to receive a free Apple mystery box full of random products. But first, they must pay a small $1-$2 shipping and handling fee before the box ships out. This secures the unsuspecting user’s credit card information.
Shortly after paying the shipping fee, victims find recurring subscription charges from the scammers on their credit cards for services they never signed up for. Monthly fees ranging from $50-$200+ appear on their statements without authorization.
Meanwhile, the promised free Apple mystery box full of products never arrives. The entire offer was completely fabricated to lure users into handing over their personal and payment information. Once scammers have your data, they can commit identity theft or resell your information on the dark web.
Some examples of the phony ads for Apple mystery boxes include:
- “Complete our survey for a chance to get a free Apple mystery box full of products!”
- “Apple overestimated demand and is now giving away excess inventory in mystery boxes. Get yours!”
- “Select fans chosen to receive a free Apple mystery box! Take this survey to see if you qualify.”
The false promise of free Apple products like iPhones and AirPods is used to bait unsuspecting users. But the real motive is to acquire user data and secretly enroll victims into costly monthly subscription plans. Avoid this Apple mystery box subscription scam at all costs.
How The Apple Mystery Box Scam Works
Here is an in-depth look at how this scam operates at each step:
Step 1: Fake Social Media Ads
The scam starts with fake ads run on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and spam email. The ads pretend to be from Apple and offer a free mystery box of products after completing a quick survey.
Step 2: Manipulative Messaging
The ads use manipulative messaging like “Click here to claim your Apple mystery box full of free products!” or “We’re giving away Apple mystery boxes to 100 lucky families!”
This convinces users they can win free Apple products if they just take a survey.
Step 3: Survey Link
The ads all contain links for users to click to take the survey and claim their free Apple mystery box. But the links lead to fake Apple survey sites controlled by scammers.
Step 4: Fake Apple Survey Website
After clicking the link, users are taken to elaborate fake websites dressed up to look like official Apple survey pages. Everything from the branding to survey design is ripped off from Apple to appear legit.
Step 5: Complete Information
On the fake Apple site, users complete a survey asking for personal information like name, DOB, email, phone number, home address, and more.
Step 6: Congratulations Message
Once the survey is submitted, users receive a congratulatory message that they have been selected to receive a free Apple mystery box full of products.
Step 7: Pay Small Shipping Fee
After the survey, users are prompted to pay a small $1-$2 shipping fee in order to receive their Apple mystery box prize. This secures the user’s credit card information.
Step 8: Unauthorized Subscription Signups
As soon as users enter credit card details to pay the shipping fee, the scammers automatically sign them up for expensive monthly subscriptions without consent. These can include products like:
- Weight loss pills
- Beauty boxes
- Virtual psychic readings
- Adult sites
- Horoscopes
- Job boards
Step 9: Mystery Box Never Arrives
After paying the shipping fee and entering personal information, users never end up receiving the promised free Apple mystery box. It was all a ploy to steal user data and credit card details.
Step 10: Recurring Credit Card Charges
Within days or weeks of entering their information, victims of the scam find recurring credit card charges from the scammers for the various monthly subscriptions they were signed up for without authorization. This can amount to $50-$300 per month in unexpected fees.
This is the scam blueprint followed by fraudsters to profit off of fake free Apple mystery box offers. Avoid getting hooked by only providing information to fully verified sources.
How to Spot the Scam Websites
The Apple mystery box scam relies on sophisticated fake websites designed to look like legitimate Apple survey pages. Here are some tips to recognize these fraudulent sites:
- Inspect the URL closely. Scam sites often have misspellings like “Aple” or unrelated domains.
- Look for poor quality design, layout issues, and improper use of Apple’s logos and branding.
- Images of Apple products appear edited or taken from Apple’s official sites without permission.
- The alleged Apple survey contains odd or suspicious questions unrelated to Apple products.
- Review and comment sections seem fake with overly positive platitudes about Apple.
- Check for valid contact info like real phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses. Scam sites tend to list fake details.
- See if there are links to verified Apple social media accounts. Scam sites won’t have legitimate social links.
- Evaluate the payment processing. Apple would never demand just prepaid cards which scam sites often require.
- Look for a Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, or About Us page. Scam sites rarely have detailed company information or policies.
- Watch for limited security measures, grammar/spelling mistakes, and other red flags signaling an unprofessional scam operation.
Carefully scrutinize each element of a website before providing personal or payment information. Never enter data on questionable sites tied to Apple mystery box offers.
Some examples of possible scam Apple site URLs:
- apple-mysterybox.giveaway.com
- applemysterybox.surveysite.com
- freemysterybox.apple.gift
- macbookpromo.apple.win
With vigilance, you can identify scam websites pretending to be Apple and avoid being duped by offers involving free mystery boxes of products.
How to Identify the Scam on Facebook
The Apple mystery box scam ads frequently appear on Facebook. Here’s how to detect this Facebook scam:
- Be suspicious of ads promoting free Apple mystery boxes. Apple does not give away surprise product boxes.
- Look closely at the ad imagery. Scam ads use fake Apple branding and stock photos of mystery boxes.
- Read the ad copy for phrases like “Claim your free Apple mystery box now!” or “Take this survey to get a mystery box!” This signals a scam.
- Check the Facebook Page running the ad. Scam ads come from fake Pages imitating Apple’s brand, not Apple’s real Page.
- Click the ad link and look for shady URLs unrelated to Apple. Redirects are also a major red flag.
- Do not take surveys on Facebook offering free Apple products. Taking surveys will not get you a real mystery box.
- Offers that seem too good to be true like a free mystery box full of Apple products are always a scam.
Carefully scrutinize mystery box ads on Facebook to avoid falling victim. Legitimate brands like Apple do not give away expensive products for free after taking online surveys.
How to Detect the Scam on Instagram
The Apple mystery box scam also surfaces frequently on Instagram. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Be skeptical of Instagram ads promoting Apple mystery boxes, especially from random accounts not affiliated with Apple.
- Look for phrases like “Click here to take a short survey and claim your free Apple mystery box!” This is a scam indicator.
- Check the account running the ad. Scammers register accounts with names like “@appleinc_promo” to appear real.
- Tap the link and look for sketchy redirects. Scam links will not go directly to Apple’s official website.
- Claims of excess inventory Apple needs to get rid of in mystery boxes are false. Apple would not operate this way.
- Unusually high mystery box values like “$2000 worth of Apple products for free!” are clear scam giveaways.
Apply heavy skepticism before engaging with Instagram ads for Apple mystery boxes. Verify the account source and watch for misleading offers before clicking on links or providing information.
How to Spot the Scam on TikTok
On TikTok, the Apple mystery box scam uses fake ads and videos. Here’s how to identify it:
- Be suspicious of TikTok ads about free Apple mystery boxes in exchange for a quick survey. Apple does not run these offers.
- Look for captions like “I got this Apple mystery box for free by taking a survey, click the link in my profile to get yours!” This is an indicator of a scam.
- Inspect the account uploading Apple mystery box videos. Scammers pose as fake accounts to promote the scam.
- Watch for videos showing expensive Apple products that users claim they received in a free mystery box. This promotes the scam.
- Beware ads stating things like “We’re giving away Apple mystery boxes to TikTok users! Complete this quiz to win yours.”
- Claims that Apple is clearing out excess inventory via free mystery boxes only given to survey takers are false.
Apply heavy scrutiny to mystery box promotions on TikTok. Verify the source before clicking on links, taking sketchy surveys or providing personal information to scammers.
What To Do If You Are Scammed
If you unfortunately fell for the Apple mystery box subscription scam, take these steps immediately:
- Contact your bank and explain you were scammed so they can block further charges. Ask them to reverse any unauthorized transactions.
- Review your credit card statement and call to dispute any fraudulent recurring charges. Request they cancel these plans.
- Monitor your credit reports and financial accounts closely for any misuse of your information by the scammers.
- Change any account passwords that may have been compromised when entering data into the fake Apple site. Enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- File complaints with the FTC, state attorney general, and BBB about being scammed with monthly subscription sign-ups and unauthorized charges.
- If any companies refuse to refund unauthorized payments, request a chargeback from your credit card provider and submit evidence the charges were fraudulent.
The faster you act, the better chance you have of halting damages from the scam. But avoiding falling for mystery box scams altogether is the best way to protect yourself.
FAQ About the Apple Mystery Box Scam
The fraudulent Apple mystery box scam circulating online has left many with pressing questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this scam.
What exactly is the Apple mystery box scam?
This scam involves fake social media ads and emails promising a free mystery box of Apple products if users complete a survey. However, it is actually a subscription scam designed to steal personal data and money through recurring charges.
What platforms are the scam ads found on?
The Apple mystery box scam ads are predominantly found on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and spam email campaigns. Scammers pay for sponsored posts and fake accounts.
What techniques are used in the scam ads?
The ads use enticing language about winning a box full of Apple products like iPhones, AirPods, and MacBooks after completing a short survey. This convinces users to click scam links.
What happens when you click the survey link?
The links lead to sophisticated fake websites pretending to be Apple survey pages. Users’ personal information is harvested under the guise it’s required for the survey.
Is Apple actually giving away free mystery boxes?
No. The entire free Apple mystery box offer is completely fabricated. It is a false promise used to collect user data and credit card details.
What personal information do the scammers obtain?
The scam survey collects names, home addresses, phone numbers, emails, birthdates and other contact details. This valuable data can be used for identity theft.
What credit card details do scammers capture?
After the survey, users must pay a small $1-$2 shipping fee to get their “free” box. This secures their full credit card number, security code and billing address.
What happens after users pay the shipping fee?
Shortly after capturing the credit card info, scammers enroll users into expensive auto-renewing monthly subscriptions without consent.
How much are victims charged monthly?
Victims can be charged between $50 to $300+ in monthly subscription fees by the scammers after falling for the Apple mystery box scam.
How can you avoid this scam?
Use extreme caution when seeing offers online that seem too good to be true. Verify legitimacy before clicking on links, taking surveys or entering payment information.
What should you do if you were scammed?
If you fell victim, immediately contact your bank to halt payments. Dispute charges, monitor statements closely, change account passwords, and file complaints.
Can victims get their money back?
It is difficult but if unauthorized charges are reported quickly, it increases the chances of reversing the payments and getting money refunded.
Avoid the trap of the Apple mystery box scam by thinking critically about unsolicited offers requiring your personal or financial information. If something seems suspicious, it likely is.
The Bottom Line on the Apple Mystery Box Scam
This scam serves as a harsh reminder about online scams:
- Scammers are creating Apple mystery box subscription scams using fake ads and websites. Never provide payment details or personal info to unverified pages.
- Survey links and offers of free Apple products are used to hook victims into handing over their data and credit card numbers.
- After paying a small shipping fee, victims are signed up for expensive monthly subscriptions without consent by the scammers.
- No free mystery boxes containing Apple products are ever delivered. The entire premise is fabricated to commit fraud through unauthorized recurring charges.
- Once scammers have your payment information, they have the means to keep billing you with fraudulent fees monthly.
Prevention is crucial when surfing the web. Double-check all offers, verify website legitimacy, read policies and avoid entering data on questionable sites. If an offer raises red flags, trust your gut and steer clear. Stay vigilant to avoid Apple mystery box scams and protect your hard-earned money.
