Amarillo Residents Warned of 'Genuine' Apple Scam

Cybercriminals using real Apple support emails to steal account access

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

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The Amarillo Police Department has issued a warning about a new phishing scam targeting local residents. Scammers are sending text messages claiming there has been an unauthorized attempt to access the recipient's Apple account, then following up with a call from someone posing as an Apple support agent. The scammers provide a genuine-looking Apple support email with a case number, but the support ticket was actually initiated by the criminals in order to trick the victim into providing their security code, which allows the scammers to steal the Apple account.

Why it matters

This scam highlights how sophisticated cybercriminals have become, using real company branding and outreach to earn a victim's trust before stealing their information. Amarillo has seen a rise in such scams targeting local residents, emphasizing the need for vigilance when receiving unexpected messages, even if they appear legitimate.

The details

According to the Amarillo Police Department, the scam works as follows: Victims receive text messages claiming someone is trying to log into their Apple account without permission. They then get a call from someone claiming to be an Apple support agent, who says a support ticket has been opened to secure the account. The victim receives a genuine-looking Apple support email with a case number, but the ticket was actually created by the scammers. The criminals then ask the victim to provide a security code to 'close' the ticket, which allows the scammers to steal the Apple account access.

  • The Amarillo Police Department issued the scam warning this week.

The players

Amarillo Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that has been warning Amarillo residents about the rise of sophisticated phishing scams targeting the community.

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What they’re saying

“Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a phishing scam: If you receive unexpected text messages from Apple, don't reply or select any links in the message. Instead, visit the Apple website to confirm that the message is legitimate, or call their official customer support line.”

— Amarillo Police Department (thebullamarillo.com)

“Cybercriminals often try to trick you into acting impulsively by creating a sense of urgency. Always be cautious if you receive a text message that instructs you to act quickly!”

— Amarillo Police Department (thebullamarillo.com)

“Remember, real support agents will not ask you for your passcode or password. Scammers request this information so that they can gain access to your accounts. Always verify and never give out passcodes or passwords. Legitimate companies will never ask for that information. Never.”

— Amarillo Police Department (thebullamarillo.com)

What’s next

The Amarillo Police Department is continuing to monitor the situation and educate the community about emerging scams. They urge residents to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The takeaway

This scam demonstrates the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, who are leveraging real company branding and outreach tactics to trick even tech-savvy consumers. It's a stark reminder that vigilance is essential when receiving unexpected messages, no matter how legitimate they may appear.