Test & Keep an iPhone 5 Spam Campaign

This happened to me via text messaging from a number used by my bank to send me alerts. Not sure how they did that, but seems it should be illegal.

Just recieved this I'm in Manitoba Canada

We got this as a text message this morning, too, and we are in the state of NY.

I too live in Manitoba Canada and just received this message!! I tried to delete it, but still shows on my phone

Got one of these in Seattle just now.

Just received it in Florida

I just received this text message and I'm in Chicago, IL

I received a text message from: 973-610-6619 with below text
"Apple is looking for iPhone5 Testers! The first 1000 users that goto http://ofersofusa.com and enter code 7777 will get to test & keep the new iPhone5!"

received time: 10:45 PM

I am also not sure from where they got my number..!!

I just got this as well, I'm in Seattle. No idea where they got my number. delete this if you get it!

just got it also as a text - i'm in LA

Got a text here in Pennsylvania

I just got this from 310-746-7134 in Chicago - text MSG to my phone. Grrr. Go get these punks!

just received the text in NJ

I'm from Manitoba also and just received this message.

I just received this text from (201) 423-4234. Didn't recognize the number, but though I should add it in case anyone else gets this text.

I'm in Seattle WA

I got one, partly responded and indeed 2 new 'subscriptions' were instantly charged to my i-phone: horoscopes and ring tones. I called my carrier (ATT) had these removed, canceled, and had ATT add a permanent subscription blocker to my phone number.
Anyone who made my error and responded to the scam should do the same.
Also be sure you have a 'lock' code on your i-phone keyboard.

I received this text today from +1 571 239 7294: Apple needs Iphone5 testers: The first 1000 users who visit the http:/celltestnkeep.com link and enter code 1000 will get to test and keep the new iphone5.

received 4:04 PM Eastern time

Just recieved this text and I'm in Texas.

Got one in Oregon

Just got in Philly

Just got this about 12 min. ago (7:20pm EST). I'm in SC... came from 571-344-5137. Was stupid enough to go to the page and enter email, but stopped there. Something just didn't feel "right".

Just got one in Portland, Oregon. Was wondering where they got the numbers, or if it's random. I wouldn't put It past my bank or CC selling this info. Just put in my number on a citibank account to notify them of international travel. I wonder...

i just got one today :[ im from las vegas .

In LA. Just got one 917 680 8074

Just received text message this morning from +1(469)260-5901 in California. Once you click on link at http://testiphone5.mobi and type in BETA, you're directed to enter in your name, email address, and cell phone phone, and take a survey. I closed the page immediately.

got it in houston, texas

does anyone know if these test & keep messages are legit?! Keep it updated so maybe we can all get free iPhones

Got this in Mt Vernon, Washington @ 5:45am
(251) 680-3148

got this text, MA

Just received this message from 859-494-8670 and I'm in the state of Vermont with a MA phone number.
Message states: "Apple is looking for people to Test & Keep the New iPhone 5! But only the first 1000 users that go to http://iphone5test.co and enter the code BETA will receive it!"

Just received a scam notice from +1 (201) 912-6324

The text stated "Apple is looking for people to Test & Keep the New iPhone5! But only the 1st 1000 users that goto http://iphone5test.co and enter code BETA will Recieve it!"

Rec'd in Missouri. It's everywhere now.

whose phone number do you think we should put in there?
The White House? Homeland Security? The police?

Just received also we live in Calgary Alberta Canada

I recieved the message in Pennsylvania

I can't believe it I just got my new iPhone 5. I downloaded it after they sent it to my email! Cant wait to print it our and start testing it!!!

Not spam always give people you email when they ask also make sure you open all files and click all unknown links!!!

Moar fr33 stoof pl0x!!!!

Received the spam, and I'm a resident of Maryland!

Help! I can't open safari without this "offer" popping up!!!!

I received a text message from (347) 205-2050 stating: "You have been chosen to Test & Keep the new IPhone 5. Enter 3899 on http://iphone5winner.com to validate. You can share this code with up to 3 friends." The number originates from Bronx, NY area. The scam isn't focused just on the residents of California.

I just received the same text message. I rarely give out my cell phone number yet this is the second spam text I've received since Verizon sent out a new policy on releasing personal information. Any connection??

I just got the same text in Ohio, going to file a complaint with the Gov't Do Not Call List as my number has been registered for years.

My daughter just got this today, we live in Alabama. I am wondering if a friend gave her info out after they had clicked it or something. We deleted.

Same text, AT&T user. In Texas :)

Does the govt Do No Call List apply to text messages? Did they find a loophole?

I just received a text message version of this scam from a 347 area code (I'm in Seattle, WA)

I received text message on tracfone from 347 area code (we live in Eastern Maine)

I just got this text as well. I live in NC but still have a CT number and the text I got was from a 210 number. NY I think. I called the number to see if it was possible a person but got the "the user you have called has a voice mailbox that is not yet setup. I'm sure most people are too smart to click on the link but it is scary that someone has our phone numbers

Received this text from 347-497-0759 at 10:34 p.m. So they are not even a respector of time. It is illegal to solicit past 9:00 p.m. at least in Ohio. Also on the do not call list and will be filing a complaint with with the Gov't Do Not Call List.

Also in Seattle,WA. Have Verizon as a carrier. Text from 347.891.4778

I too am on the no call list and received the text at 11:05 pm. Didn't think to file a complaint- but that's a good idea.

dont know where all these places get my cell number. it is very annoying

I'm in Ohio, too, and got this msg. at least six weeks ago. I'm not hip to the Gov. "Do Not Call" list yet, but I am noticing a trend here...Verizon seems to be the carrier of choice for the scams.

It's not just California anymore. Just got the text and i'm in Georgia. Deleted the text right away !!

not sure what to think

I have received this via text message as well from the number 3472055014 which states "You have been chosen to Test & Keep the new Iphone 5. Enter 3899 on http://iphone5winner.com to validate. You can share this code with 3 other friends"

I guess its a total scam. I'm to scared to check it out. This is out in Hawaii.

i also received a text to my phone

In Texas, just received one via text. Thought it was fishy.... thanks for posting the article for wary consumers....

I live in NY State and just received one of these texts too.

I live in the midwest and I was contacted on my cell phone yesterday. Being the sceptic I am I decided to check this out online and ran across Softpedia with your message on it - THANKS! Keep up the good work.

(718)687-2933 3am in Seattle. Hope something is done to these guys

And yet another one in Manitoba a

THANKS FOR THIS ARTICLE. I JUST RECEIVED A TEXT IN VIRGINIA FROM (703) 623-8015 - SAME MESSAGE

I am in Alaska and got it.

Sooooo....TRUE! Thank You for Sharing!

I live in Pennsylvania and just received on of this messages on my iPhone.
Figured it was a scam, but glad I checked it out too.

it's now in Ohio too. Feb 3 2012

this came fom 678-756-3297. It's time to prosecute these spammers. My phone has been on the Do Not Call List since the beginning and yet I still keep on getting spammed.

Got "my" text at 10:34PM on 2/3. I'm in Cali. Can't wait to get my "free" phone. LOL! What a bunch of Sh!t!

got it this morning on my phone as a txt. Was filling out MY info then wondered why they need my age and phone numbers so went to my other computor and looked it up. It disappeared from my txts also.

got it in maryland

I just received a text from a 703 number and I live in Ohio. Got the same thing about the iPad a couple of years ago. Thanks for the article.

I got it last night, from +1 (310) 467-5254 I'm in Saskatchewan Canada.. How'd they get my number..

I recieved this spam via text message on my android phone through T-Mobile-from (attempted) scammed in Maine

Feb 5 2012 I rec'd a simialr text from 908 731-1322 to go to http://iphone5tester.mobile and enter code 7777. Beware people! Anything to good to be true, usually is!!

Got this message yesterday at 4:10 am. Always nice to wake up to spam texts. I live in NY. Sent a complaint to the FCC this morning, doubt it will matter, but it makes me feel better.

I just got a text message on my iPhone offering a free iPhone 5 if I test it.
The message gives a link to celltestnkeep.com

I got a text today from 571-239-7250 ... "Apple needs iPhone5 testers: The first 1000 users who visit http://testcellulars.com and enter code 1000..." They want your name, address, email, phone, birth-date, etc... seems like a scam to me...

Celltestnkeep.com just contacted me, on 2/6/12, in NY, via a text from 703-647-0392. They claim that Apple needs iPhone 5 testers & the first 1000 people to respond with a certain code will get to keep the iPhone 5 they test. I googled the site celltestnkeep.com before visiting it, and many sources state this is a scam.

Just got one too in providence RI

got it in text message in Sacramento, CA.

Go to https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2 and file a complaint. The phone number, regardless of the medium used to contact it, is exempt from contacting if listed with the goverment Do Not Call list. So, file your complaint and get these clowns shut down.

Received text in NE Ohio, Feb. 7th from 703-505-5953 telling me to use a 4 digit code of 1000. I am a BB user with Sprint for 8 years, never wanted an iPhone. Gonna have Sprint put a perm block on this text number. If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is. READ the user agreement FIRST. This is all about looking to follow your phone activiity, what you do, accounts your have and then sell all your movements to spammers.

just got one texted to my phone: code 8714, cellulartesters.co

I just got the message, I'm in Dallas TX

i got this text from 1-347-205295 on Feb 10,2012.
i don't know how other can text to my cellular no.

I just received a text message from appletestandkeep on my iPhone valparaiso Indiana thank you for the alerts here I checked snooes but nothing there told me if it was a scam

Just got one this morning in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Just got one in Calgary. Very concerned as I rarely give my number. This is expensive for me in Canada as I had to pay for the sms.

Thanks for the report. I got a text from (347)224-1031 for this. I deleted it, but not before warning my friends about it.

Thanks for the information. I live in Oregon and just received one of their text messages. They're using different phone numbers in different states, I guess. The message I received came from (404) 661-7636.

I got a text from 310-691-0974... if the number looks familiar at all...
just font accept it~

I just got this in NJ. I clicked o n the link and put my email address in just to see what it was then i immediately typed it in to google as it seemed to good to be true i did not give out my name or address or anything else other then the first wuestion for my email address..Does anyone know if i will now recieve a million Spam emails for just going that far??

I recevied this scam too. Want to find out who owns that website? http://www.whois.net/

Just got this text in TX. It says I've been chose to test and keep an Iphone 5 at http://iappletestandkeep.com

I am grateful for this information. I just received such a text yesterday and I started to go to the link to see what it was all about but then thought of looking up on the internet to see if this might be a scam. Initially, I had no intentions of bothering with the text information about receiving a free iphone 5 because I believed within myself to be "too good to be true" offer. After reading this I realize this is definitely the case and grateful I used a bit of sense to research future about such a bogus offer.

Got this is Missouri as well.

Just got this text in Iowa. From phone number 678-545-8330 linked to iappletestandkeep.com and told to enter 4187

how can I tell if many are a scam or good offer(too good to be true offers?)-----the text sounded as good as the later info of "possible scam" I taking the causious way out---accepting it could be a scam----pages on7777 code came up blank and a second write up with different dates and code---ps maybe not all my roots are BLOND!?!

i think this is a great idea. its always a good thing to get input from real users.

Unbelievable!!! I logged on tonight to get my "free" iphone, and found this message instead. Good thing I f---'d around and didn't respond 'til after this message came out... Thanks for the heads up!

I keep getting texts with a stupid joke saying now I will be billed $9.99 a month if I don't text "stop" back. How is this legal? watch out for "myfunapps"

just got it from (813) 503-3579 (Tampa, FL). I'll keep it as evidence... just in case

thanks for keeping it real!

Just got it here in El Paso TX

I just got it this morning in California... anybody else get it from the number
1(469)-203-5504? ;)

Just got this text at 2:44am on Monday morning...I'm extremely annoyed.

same thing here they can go get screwed

Thank you for the advance warning.... I almost responded. Just curious to know how this parasites got my phone number to be able to text me....

just received a text message from (469) 260-5894 and this is what it reads: Apple is looking for people to Test & Keep the New iPhone5! But only the 1st 1000 users that enter code BETA at http://testiphone5.mobi Receive it!

I received the exact same message just now in WA.

got this msg today from 309-566-9435. Don't typically get text alerts

Got it today 6783868253... Stop it

this spam is also being distributed now in new york also.

Orlando, FL here--I just got this txt msg; glad I came across this Softpedia spam alert!

This just hit my Facebook lol

got a text sent to LA # that sent text is 6178520053

I received a text from 469-260-5894, as did my sister. I'm in Ohio.

just recieved text...I'm in Florida

anyone had a legit phone received?

i received the same in NYC,from the # 215 407 2898

I received the text that said I would receive a free I phone 5 by testing it. Ya Right...Spammmmmmmm

I got this message today. I recently gave my number to a taxi service I booked nonlinear and thought they may have shared my number. Anyone else have ideas for who may have shared our information?

I just got had a text message sent to me asking to go to a website to enter a code. It sounded fishy to me so I decided to look into it. So glad I did. Thanks.

this story has not mentioned the recent hoax sent through text messages that if u enter a code at a website they will let you test and keep the iphone 5

i can do it and get th iphone 5

I just received this offer for the second or third time in New York. I'm glad Igoogled it and found this site.

I just got this text to try and test apples new iphone5

Just received this on my iphone in Indianapolis from # 917.704.0375

I just received a text saying "Apple is looking for people to test and keep the new iphone 5! But, only the 1st 1000 users that go to http://iphone5test.co and enter code BETA will receive it!" this text came from number (201) 360-9720

This is now hitting people in Minnesota as recently as March 27, 2012

Got the text in Florida just now.

just received the txt msg from 201-912-7187 in Vancouver, BC!

i got a text saying free iphone for testers. from 201-912-7376
www.iphone5betas.com

ontario, just got it

In Toronto, Ontario. Just received the text from 1-201-616-8659.

Just received this in text form from
201-912-7795

I just got this bogus SMS message today.
I hate their greasy guts !!
I want them to be drawn and quartered and the chunks sent to the ends of the EARTH !

I just received message below from 1-201-377-8452
Apple is looking for people to Test & Keep the New iPhone5! But only 1st 1000 user that goto http://iphone5test.co and enter code BETA will Receive it!

THIS IS SPAM

I received this message today


Apple needs iPhone5 testers:The first 1000 users who visit http://celltestnkeep.com and enter code 1000 will get to test & keep the new iPhone5.


Is Apple aware of this? The phone number was 703-609-7910

Thank you for the info. I just received this offer, I am from Puerto Rico

Received this as a text message from 859-494-8670
Glad I looked it up before supplying any personal information.
I did check out their web-page, though. It has a link for its "Privacy Policy" which basically states that they are scarfing up and selling as much of the personal you supply them as the traffic will allow! (I.e., no privacy whatsoever...)
Perhaps "Piracy Policy" would be a more accurate description...

Just got this test. Same as everyone else I read about, but we are differrent as we live in Ontario, Canada. Good thing it couldn't go through as you had to be a US citizen. It wouldn't accept my information. Thank goodness!

Got it in WI

Just got one this morning... I'm in Calgary, Alberta - Canada

got text from512-739-8305 for test and keep new iphone5 valid for 24 hours. How do thye get your number. I live in a small town in Nebraska.

Thank you for posting this information! I got the same scam text message in Tucson, AZ from phone number 973.432.3173. There isn't a law against this??? Since phone numbers are provided, can't something be done to the individuals who set up these phone accounts? It's all completely traceable.

Just got the message today in Salem Oregon.

Received a text from (201) 912-9046 around 12:30 a.m. on April 2, 2012.

"Apple is looking for people to Test & Keep the New iPad 3! But only the 1st 1000 users that goto ____(website)____ and enter code BETA will Receive it!"

I actually assumed I had been spammed via Google Plus, as the telephone number was extremely similar to the messages I have received from Google Plus' SMS Notification service.

I did not attempt to visit the site. A general rule of thumb, is that if you ever receive a message about an Apple product, mobile phone, or weight loss; it is generally a serious scam. Don't visit the site.

ALSO, if you actually Google the term "Apple is looking for people to Test & Keep the New iPad 3! But only the 1st 1000 users," you will receive MANY results... from COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PHONE NUMBERS. All 201 area code. New Jersey Scum--no surprise here.

I actually wonder if the spam is coming from the carrier. I use Verizon Wireless. This sounds like something Verizon would do.

Other information:
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Service: Mobile Telephone
Communicated: ASCII/Unicode (plain text) SMS Message, No attachments.
My Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA

got this from (201) 912-9172 at 6:58am and the same message:

"Apple is looking for people to Test & Keep the New iPad 3! But only the 1st 1000 users that goto and enter code BETA will receive it!"

Beta-code. Received a text message from( +12017444824 )
^^^^^ To keep an iPhone5! from applebut the only users that enter the code will. Get the phone

Just got this 10 mins ago....I'm in Montreal, Quebec

Thanks for confirming what I suspected... I got a text message on my phone to go to a web site for a free iphone test offer. If it sounds too good to be true it is just BS...

There are 50+ sites for the new iphone 5 test and keep. Why doesn't facebook close these down...I've reported all of them.

I am from South Africa and i got a message that Apple is looking for iphone 5 testers, and i decided to contact them.

I think the iPhone 5 is going to sell great because there are so much people with the iPhone 4s and every one is talking about it!!

I got it on facebook

Appears to be a great phone

I think I should "turn up" for tha new I phone 5ive!!!!!!

i'm dying to own 1 of this.....

We got this as a text message this morning, too, and we are in the state of NJ

It might be real if so it a blessing for some people

i stay in Virginia Beach VA an iv got so many different messages on this text an keep things

I just received one in Wales, why is this not being investigated?

Just got email today with "Apple" showing as the sender. It said test and keep iphone 5. Today is Sept 30, 2012. Being as it was already released, i looked it up and realized for sure it was a scam. The tricky part is that it says it is coming from Apple. Fortunately it went into my spam and i found it there when deleting spam.

thanks for this.. and to think i was about to click "continue"