Scammers are increasingly turning to FaceTime video calls to impersonate banks, tech support agents and government officials in order to steal money and sensitive information from victims, according to security researchers and consumer protection reports.
Using video calls makes these scams more convincing than traditional phone calls or emails because a live video interaction appears more legitimate to targets.
Apple and security experts advise never sharing sensitive information, verification codes or money based on unsolicited FaceTime calls. These scams take advantage of the trust people place in seeing someone on video, even though the identity of the caller cannot be confirmed through FaceTime alone.
How FaceTime video scams work and why they are effective
Scammers often initiate FaceTime video calls posing as trusted entities. They typically pose as a bank’s fraud department and claim that the victim’s account has been compromised. Others impersonate Apple, Microsoft, or support representatives, saying that the victim’s device is infected.
Some pose as government officials, claiming the victim owes money or is under investigation. There are also scammers posing as delivery services or retailers, claiming there is a problem with an order.
During these calls, scammers try to create urgency and pressure the victim to act quickly. Its main objectives are to get the victim to reveal account credentials, passwords or verification codes; transfer money to an account controlled by the scammer; install remote access software that grants control of the device; buy gift cards and share the codes; or reveal personal information that could be used for identity theft.
The move to FaceTime video calls makes scams more convincing for several reasons. Seeing a person on video can create a false sense of legitimacy. Scammers may use professional backgrounds, uniforms, or official-looking surroundings to appear credible.
The real-time nature of the call makes it more difficult for victims to pause or verify what they are being told. The personal aspect of a video call also increases the emotional pressure. Some scammers even use deepfake or AI-generated videos to impersonate specific people.
The video element plays on our tendency to trust what we can see. However, appearing on camera does not prove the caller’s identity or intentions.
How to protect yourself and limit unwanted FaceTime calls
To avoid FaceTime scams, users should follow these steps:
- Never share verification codes, passwords, or account details during an unexpected FaceTime call, no matter who the caller claims to be.
- Hang up and contact the organization directly through official channels such as the phone number on the back of your bank card or the company’s official website.
- Beware of urgency and pressure, as legitimate organizations do not demand immediate payments or sensitive information over video calls.
- Never install remote access software at the request of an unwanted caller. Avoid purchasing gift cards to resolve a suspected problem, as no legitimate organization requests payment this way.
- Verify the caller’s identity independently before taking any action.
Apple offers settings to help reduce unsolicited FaceTime calls. On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, go to Apps or Settings, and then FaceTime. Enable Silence Unknown Callers to send calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail.
Review your blocked contacts list and add any known fraudulent numbers. You can also turn on the broader Silence Unknown Callers feature in Settings, Phone, which also affects regular calls.
On Mac, open the FaceTime app, go to FaceTime settings, review calling preferences, and check your list of blocked contacts. You can block specific numbers or email addresses that scammers may use.
What to do if you get scammed and the basic rules to remember
Users who have shared information or money with a FaceTime scammer should contact their bank immediately to report the fraud and try to stop or reverse any transfers.
It is also advisable to change passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised, using a separate trusted device. Enabling two-factor authentication on all sensitive accounts can add an extra layer of security.
Additionally, victims should report the scam to local authorities and, in the US, to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at ic3.gov.
If remote access software has been installed, it is important to remove it and consider having the device checked by a professional or performing a factory reset after backing up important data, as additional malware may have been installed.
It is recommended to monitor accounts and credit reports for signs of unauthorized activity. Users should verify the identity of any caller independently, avoid acting under pressure, and never share sensitive information or money based on unsolicited contact.
FaceTime scams are part of a broader trend of social engineering fraud. Interpol’s Operation First Light 2026 recently arrested 5,811 people and seized $293 million linked to social engineering scams, including phishing schemes. The FTC reported $3.5 billion in imposter-related losses in the United States alone by 2025.
Video-based scams are an evolution of the same techniques used in phone and email scams. Staying alert and following key security practices remains the best defense.
What users should remember
The basic rule to avoid falling for FaceTime and other social engineering scams is that genuine organizations do not make unexpected calls demanding immediate action, do not ask for verification codes, passwords or PINs, do not request payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency or bank transfers to “secure” accounts, do not pressure you to install remote access software or threaten immediate arrest or account closure to make hasty decisions.
If in doubt, it is best to hang up and contact the organization directly through a verified channel. Taking a few minutes to independently verify details is the most effective way to protect yourself from these scams.
Apple hasn’t announced any FaceTime-specific anti-scam features beyond the current Silence Unknown Callers setting. Users can monitor Apple’s official support channels for updates on new measures to combat video call scams as the threat continues to evolve.
