With the release of Apple’s iPhone 15 around the corner, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the excitement surrounding the upcoming device to scam unsuspecting victims.
In a press release on Sept. 7, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky highlighted various ways scammers dupe victims out of money and sensitive personal information.
“In the digital age, scammers are constantly adapting and exploiting our excitement for the latest tech trends,” Tatyana Kulikova, a security expert at Kaspersky, said. “Consumers must remain vigilant, verify offers, and safeguard their personal information.”
iPhone 15 Scams
Apple CEO Tim Cook will unveil the iPhone 15 and other new Apple devices at an event on Tuesday, and the new iPhone series could be available for pre-order in the following days.
As the world awaits the highly anticipated release, cybercriminals are enticing users with a chance to own the newest iPhone. “The scheme capitalizes on users’ eagerness to be among the first to possess the device,” Kaspersky’s press release said.
In one scam, victims are told they can purchase an “exclusive” pre-release iPhone 15 at a premium price, and they’re usually asked to make an upfront payment or share their financial data. Once the payment is made and victims share their data, the scammers disappear.
“Another scam presents participants with the chance to win the new iPhone 15, provided they pay a nominal upfront fee. The payment is often disguised as a “processing” or “registration” fee,” Kaspersky said. “After paying, participants receive nothing in return, aside from financial loss.”
The fallout of these scams doesn’t end with financial loss. Giving up financial data to cybercriminals exposes victims to identity theft and other scams.
There’s the ever-present possibility that scammers would sell this data on the dark web, allowing other criminals to use this data for various nefarious schemes. As a result, victims may continue to suffer the consequences of this breach for several years.
Protecting Yourself From iPhone 15 Scams
iPhone 15 scams may increase as people rush to get their hands on the new device after its release. To avoid putting your privacy at risk and parting ways with your hard-earned money, Kaspersky recommends only buying from reputable and authorized sellers and securing your accounts with two-factor authentication.
“Exercise caution with offers demanding upfront payments for giveaways or pre-release products,” Kaspersky said.
“Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it often is,” Kulikova noted.
For improved security, Kaspersky also recommends using a premium antivirus solution with anti-phishing protection. Kaspersky Antivirus offers this. You can learn what our cybersecurity experts think of this antivirus, as well as its pros and cons, in our Kaspersky review.
Alternatively, check out our guide to the best antivirus software to see which providers earned the highest scores in our extensive tests.
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