Overview
- Fraudsters start with a fake alert or text that looks like a bank or Apple message and then move the call to FaceTime so victims will answer and trust the contact.
- Once on FaceTime, scammers pressure people to share their screen or log into online banking while the attacker watches and records passwords, account numbers, and one-time codes.
- Apple has posted formal guidance telling users to treat unsolicited FaceTime contacts as untrusted and to email a screenshot of suspicious calls to reportfacetimefraud@apple.com.
- Security researchers say attackers sometimes chain this social engineering with known iOS flaws to escalate access, a risk made worse when users delay installing patches.
- Consumer groups and outlets reported a nationwide rise in these scams on July 14, 2026, and they advise updating iOS, never sharing screens with strangers, and contacting banks only through verified phone numbers.