High riskEmail

App Store Receipt Email Scam

This scam emails a fake App Store or Google Play receipt for an app or subscription you did not buy, urging you to click or call to 'cancel' or 'refund', leading to a phishing page or a scammer posing as support.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Fake-receipt / call-back phishing
Main red flag
A receipt for an app or subscription you never bought, with a link or number to dispute it.
What to do first
Do not click or call. Check purchases in your real App Store or Play account.

How this scam works

This scam emails a fake App Store or Google Play receipt for an app or subscription you did not buy, urging you to click or call to 'cancel' or 'refund', leading to a phishing page or a scammer posing as support.

Email scams, or phishing, remain one of the most common ways criminals steal logins, payment details, and money. A convincing message imitates a brand or contact and steers you toward a fake login page, a malicious attachment, or a fraudulent payment.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A receipt for an app or subscription you never bought, with a link or number to dispute it. Do not click or call. Check purchases in your real App Store or Play account.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Payment Confirmation Email Scam and the Geek Squad Renewal Email Scam. See the full Email Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A receipt for a purchase you did not make
  • A link or number to cancel or refund
  • An alarming amount to make you act fast
  • A sender that is not the official store
  • Pressure to dispute within hours

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Your receipt: you paid $69.99 for a subscription. If you did not authorise this, cancel here or call support: [link / number]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: A receipt for an app or subscription you never bought, with a link or number to dispute it.

The scale of it

Most reported
phishing was the most common type of cybercrime complaint reported to the FBI in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

How to protect yourself

  • Check purchases in your real App Store or Play account
  • Manage subscriptions in your device's official account settings
  • Report the email as phishing and delete it
  • Ignore the dispute link or number

Already responded? Do this now

  • Do not enter your account login or card details
  • If you called and shared details, contact your bank
  • Change your store account password from a trusted device
  • Watch for follow-up 'refund' calls

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not click the dispute link or call the number
  • Do not share your account login or card details
  • Do not let the amount panic you

Related scams to know

High risk Email

Payment Confirmation Email Scam

This scam emails a fake payment or order confirmation for something you did not buy, prompting you to call a number or click a link to 'cancel' or 'dispute' it, leading to a scammer or a phishing page.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Email

Geek Squad Renewal Email Scam

This scam emails a fake Geek Squad or tech-support 'renewal invoice' for a subscription you do not have, urging you to call a number where a fake agent talks you into refunds, remote access, or payments.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Callback Phishing Scam

In this scam, an email or text about a charge, order, or security issue urges you to call a number, where a fake agent talks you into sharing details, installing remote access, or moving money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

I never bought this app. Is the receipt real?
That is the trick. Check your real purchase history in the official store account; do not use the link or number in the email.
Why include a phone number?
A call lets a scammer pose as support and talk you into sharing logins or card details, or installing software. Banks and stores do not work this way.
I called and gave details. What now?
Contact your bank, change your store account password from a trusted device, and watch for follow-up refund calls.
How do I check real purchases?
Open your device's official App Store or Play account and review your purchase and subscription history there.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.