What are the red flags?

An "early" preorder, voucher, or big discount you can't find on apple.com; A countdown timer pushing you to reserve right now; Models or colors Apple doesn't sell (the real iPhone Duo comes in Night Sky and Star White); A preorder or "free iPhone Duo" link that arrives in an ad, text, email, or social post.

What should I do if I clicked, paid, or replied?

Update your iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update, and turn on Automatic Updates; Go to apple.com or a retailer you know by typing the address yourself instead of tapping links; If you opened a fake page, update and restart your iPhone, then change your email, Apple Account, and banking passwords from a trusted device and turn on two-factor authentication; If you keep a crypto wallet on that phone, secure the funds from a trusted device; Report it to the FBI at IC3.gov or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Fake iPhone Duo preorder and giveaway sites

Q: What does the Fake iPhone Duo preorder and giveaway sites scam look like?

Yes, it's a scam: AARP warns that a fake website offering early iPhone Duo preorders with a $500 voucher can try to break into out-of-date iPhones as soon as you open it. According to AARP, citing research published by Malwarebytes on Sept. 29, 2026, a fake Apple-style website offers early iPhone Duo preorders with a $500 voucher and free AppleCare+ coverage, a countdown clock, and a form asking for your name, email, and phone number. Filling out the form doesn't place an order. On iPhones missing security updates, simply opening the page can start a hidden attack (a hacking tool called DarkSword) that tries to steal saved passwords, notes, photos, messages, and cryptocurrency wallet information. Malwarebytes examined the code but did not confirm that it had stolen anyone's information. Apple is impersonated and is not involved.

Last updated Oct 20, 2026

Also known as: iPhone Duo $500 voucher scam, Early iPhone Duo preorder page, Free iPhone Duo giveaway link, DarkSword fake preorder page

The Scam

According to AARP, citing research published by Malwarebytes on Sept. 29, 2026, a fake Apple-style website offers early iPhone Duo preorders with a $500 voucher and free AppleCare+ coverage, a countdown clock, and a form asking for your name, email, and phone number. Filling out the form doesn't place an order. On iPhones missing security updates, simply opening the page can start a hidden attack (a hacking tool called DarkSword) that tries to steal saved passwords, notes, photos, messages, and cryptocurrency wallet information. Malwarebytes examined the code but did not confirm that it had stolen anyone's information. Apple is impersonated and is not involved.

The Targets

People eager to get Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo early or at a discount, especially anyone whose iPhone isn't up to date.

Red flags

An "early" preorder, voucher, or big discount you can't find on apple.com
A countdown timer pushing you to reserve right now
Models or colors Apple doesn't sell (the real iPhone Duo comes in Night Sky and Star White)
A preorder or "free iPhone Duo" link that arrives in an ad, text, email, or social post

Your Move

Update your iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update, and turn on Automatic Updates
Go to apple.com or a retailer you know by typing the address yourself instead of tapping links
If you opened a fake page, update and restart your iPhone, then change your email, Apple Account, and banking passwords from a trusted device and turn on two-factor authentication
If you keep a crypto wallet on that phone, secure the funds from a trusted device
Report it to the FBI at IC3.gov or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

More steps for any scam link: I clicked a scam link. What now?

Still circulating?

AARP's Sept. 30, 2026 warning, based on Malwarebytes research; Trend Micro's TrendLife blog reported fake iPhone Duo preorder and giveaway sites on Oct. 12, 2026, as the phone's Oct. 23 release approaches.

Primary source: AARP Fraud Watch Network · 2026-09-30

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Educational summary only. Verify details on the source page. Report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or ic3.gov.