Apple Blocks Over 711 Million Fraudulent Accounts, Prevents $2 Billion In App Store Scams In 2024

Apple says it blocked over 711 million fraudulent customer account creations and deactivated nearly 129 million accounts in 2024 as part of efforts to curb nefarious activity on its platforms.

According to its latest App Store Fraud Prevention Analysis, the tech giant took these actions to stop malicious users from manipulating ratings, reviews, charts, and search results, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the App Store.

Additionally, over 146,000 developer accounts were terminated due to fraud concerns, and 139,000 developer enrollments were rejected before gaining access to the App Store ecosystem. Apple also tackled threats beyond its marketplace, blocking over 10,000 illegitimate apps from pirate storefronts—ranging from malware and pirated software to gambling and adult content. It said these actions also protect developers from having their apps cloned or weaponised.

In just the past month, nearly 4.6 million attempts to install or launch unauthorized apps outside the App Store were thwarted.

In total, Apple claims its fraud prevention efforts blocked over $2 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions in 2024, raising its five-year total to more than $9 billion.