Over $1M stolen in Apple Pay scam

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that local residents have been scammed out of over $1 million dollars by fake Apple Pay representatives.

“Over the past several months, our county has experienced a significant increase in fraud cases. One scam in particular involves individuals posing as Apple Pay representatives, and it has already resulted in over ONE MILLION dollars stolen from victims in our county alone,” the sheriff’s office said on Sunday.

According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, the scammers contact the victims, claiming that a bank employee is stealing money from their accounts. They then insist that the victim should transfer their money into different accounts in order to help with the scammers fake non-existent investigation.

The sheriff’s office said that anyone who gets a call like this should hang up immediately and contact local law enforcement. East Texans are encouraged to protect themselves from these scams by considering the following tips:

• Go to your bank in person and speak directly with a trusted employee if you suspect fraud.
• Do NOT conduct financial transactions over the phone.
• Never move your money at the direction of someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Do not trust caller ID – scammers can make it look like they are calling from a legitimate number.
• Do not share personal or banking information over the phone, text, or email.
• Be cautious of urgent or high-pressure tactics – this is how scammers create panic.
• Hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your card.
• Discuss suspicious calls with a family member or trusted friend before taking action.

“If they call you back tell them that you have already contacted your local law enforcement,” The sheriff’s office suggested. “These criminals rely on fear, urgency, and trust—don’t give them the opportunity.”