Don’t fall for the Verizon ‘loyalty’ scam that’s putting $1,500 iPads in the mail

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Scammers have found a way to trigger push notifications through the official My Verizon app.
• Attackers use the promise of a massive discount and a “free” device to lower your guard and gain account access.
• The victim received a $1,500 iPad Pro (13‑inch, 256 GB) and was charged a small shipping fee to build trust.
• Scammers followed up, claiming a “wrong device” was sent and pressured the victim to return it to a random address, not Verizon.

How the scam worked

A Reddit user (ApprehensivePace2969) reported receiving a push notification from the official Verizon app offering a “loyalty gift.” The notification appeared legitimate, prompting the victim to trust the offer.

1. Initial contact – The victim got a phone call on a Friday from someone claiming to be a Verizon representative. The caller said the victim qualified for a 65 % discount and a free iPad.
2. App confirmation – A push notification in the My Verizon app seemed to confirm the offer, removing any doubts.
3. Delivery of the device – A new 256 GB iPad Pro (M4), valued at about $1,500, arrived overnight. The victim was charged $126 for shipping and told they would be refunded after activation.
4. Follow‑up pressure – A second caller, also posing as a Verizon rep, claimed the wrong device had been sent (an iPad 11 instead of the Pro) and demanded the iPad Pro be returned immediately, threatening a $1,500 charge.
5. Fake return label – The return label was addressed to “Jordan Belfort” at a random New York address, not to Verizon’s returns center, and instructed the victim to drop the package off at a specific UPS store near their home.

What the victim did

The victim did not send the iPad back to the fraudulent address. Instead, they:

• Took the iPad Pro to a Verizon retail store.
• Contacted Verizon’s fraud department.
• Returned the device through the proper channel.
• Received a refund for the $126 shipping charge.

Why this is significant

• The scam leveraged push notifications from the official My Verizon app, making it appear far more trustworthy than typical phishing calls or emails.
• It combined social engineering (the phone call) with a real physical device to build credibility.
• The use of a fake return address and specific UPS location shows the scammers had access to personal information, likely obtained from the victim’s account.

Verizon’s response

Android Authority has reached out to Verizon for a comment and will update this article when a statement is received.

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