A new phishing scam is targeting people who have iPhones or use Apple Pay or Apple Cash. A woman from Southgate received a text about an Apple Pay charge she didn't make.

Watch Alicia's report in the video player below

Beware of a new scam involving text messages and Apple Pay charges

Sherri Packwood said she almost fell for the scam. She emailed our tip line tips@wxyz.com in hopes her story would help prevent others from being victimized, especially around the holidays. She received a text, reading 'your Apple ID charge of $443.74 via Apple Pay at Apple Store Orlando "FL". If you do not authorise this, then call +18054163906' and it ended with 'Apple Inc.'

What happened when she called the number?

So, a man answered the phone and he was foreign-sounding, but I could understand him clearly," Sherri said. "And he made it sound like he worked for Apple.

He wanted her to download an app called 'Connectwise Control'.

It was supposed to give him remote access to my device," Sherri told me.

If a scammer asks you to download an app, they're likely trying to install malware or gain remote access to your phone to steal your personal or financial information. Apple support will not ask you to download an app.

So, what was the moment that Sherri realized this had to be a scam?

It was after the ConnectWise didn't work, and he wanted me to then go to my Safari and open up the browser for that and then enter in a URL address," she replied.

That step also didn't work, so she bailed on the call and went to her Credit Union to make sure her account had not been compromised.

There were some red flags in the text. The number they ask you to call is not a real Apple Support Phone Number, and the number the message is coming from is random as well. Also, the state abbreviation for Florida is oddly in quotes, and the word authorize is spelled with an 's' instead of a 'z'.

Apple Support said if you get one of these texts, don't engage, don't reply, or call the number provided or click any links.

Next, report the text, take a screenshot of the message, and email it to reportphishing@apple.com. Then, verify independently by checking your Apple account yourself, by going to the wallet app in your phone, clicking on Apple Cash, and then viewing your transactions. Then, block the number on your iPhone to stop future texts from them.

If that app had worked, who knows what would have happened, what kind of compromise would have happened to my information and my accounts," Sherri said.

To verify Apple contacts or phone numbers, you can always go directly to Apple's official website or the official app for support.

Bottom line: don't trust links or numbers in texts or emails. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency, like saying that a charge is going to go through if you don't call us right now to verify or cancel it. Again, go directly to Apple or your account if you have a question about a charge.

Where Your Voice Matters

If you or a loved one is facing long-term care choices, figuring out what to do can be overwhelming. That's where the MI Options Call Center can help. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched the system in August to offer free, one-on-one help.

I had a chance to talk with a couple of people who really benefitted from the program and two of the key individuals behind the service, which aims to support older adults and people with disabilities.

Watch Alicia's report in the video player below New state-run call center helps Michiganders with long-term care & support plans

Lynn Higgs and her husband Jerry, from Wayne, Michigan, have five children. But none of them live in Michigan.

In 2019, Jerry had a stroke, then was later diagnosed with Parkinson's. Their daughter, Colleen, decided to find them extra help. They were eventually connected with a counselor with Michigan's MI Options program.

"It was really informational," Lynn said of the counseling session.

The counselor didn't just hand them a list of agencies. She walked them through in-home care options, fraud alerts, transportation assistance, and even researched a walking cane for Jerry during their very first visit.

What changes have you made that were recommended or discovered during your one-on-one counseling?" I asked Lynn.

Well, the first thing we did was get in-home health or in-home care -- more for my husband getting to do his exercises and things that he's supposed to do," she replied.

Daksha Patel of Dearborn welcomed her Mom into her home after her Dad passed away. She turned to MI Options for help with home modifications.

The MI Options program is like a one-stop shop," Patel said.

"

What are some of the ideas that you got from your one-on-one counseling session to help your mom? I asked Patel.

"

One of the things that really helped us was an organization that we were referred to called St. Joseph Helpers," she explained.

They basically work with helping you with things around your home, like carpentry and things like that.

The helpers installed a handrail for the front porch and a handheld shower head and grab bars in the bathroom.

"It's been very helpful," Patel said.

MI Options has a call center (1-800-803-7174), available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., where you can make an appointment with a certified options counselor.

Since launching the program in August, MDHHS said it has already received about 7,000 calls.

The goal is to connect callers with a certified counselor who will meet them in-person to look at what are the best options and resources for them or their loved one. And this service is totally free.

"

No, there is no cost for the individual or the caregiver for this counseling. It is free and unbiased," said Kristina Leonardi with the MDHHS Aging and Community Services Division.

There are no income requirements either.

I think that it's just never too early or too late to start planning," Kristina said.

The program partners with counselors across the state, including experts with The Senior Alliance like Kari West.

I do love this program because once you start working with a person-centered options counselor, you continue working with them along the way. And you just have to tell your story once," West said.

Lynn and Jerry have met with their counselor multiple times.

Knowing that we can get more help in the future is really positive," Lynn said.

I asked West about what the 'aha moment' is that she hears about most from caregivers; she said, overall, they're just glad to not feel alone anymore.

Where Your Voice Matters

There are so many ways you can celebrate the season around metro Detroit. I had a chance to come and hang out around Campus Martius this week, and talk with folks from all over metro Detroit, about their favorite holiday traditions, in and around the D.

Watch Alicia's report in the video player below Metro Detroiters share their favorite holiday traditions, in and around The D

The parade and the tree lighting," said Detroiter Freda McAdory.

I love to go to the Thanksgiving Parade," said Detroiter Kierra Brown.

Take your kids, take your family there," said Detroiter Devon Miller, referring to the parade.

Well, I like looking at the Christmas decorations and the Christmas lights," said Mimi Koppaug from St. Clair Shores. I like the Noel night and over at the symphony, their Christmas concerts."

Plus you can skate at The Rink at Campus Martius, or stroll through the shops at Cadillac Square for cool gifts and stocking stuffers.

I asked Detroiter Cass Neff if she brings her family down there.

All the time," she replied. Spend my money. They love to shop.

Some also love to sample the scrumptious treats, then head to Cadillac Lodge to cool your heels or warm your hands, and savor some creative winter cocktails.

I think its called the Apple of My Chai. Its like a bourbon and apple cider drink," said Sarah Lynch of West Bloomfield. "We have so many fun hot cocoa drinks like Gingerbread Hot Cocoa. We have little ones for kids if you want something non-alcoholic. We have a little ornament drink.

And there are some fun photo opportunities for the family, just steps away from the 62-foot-tall Norway Spruce strung with 25,000 lights and a nine-foot-tall star. I love the oversized ornaments on the tree, too.

Related: Watch our interview with Salvation Army on the Red Kettle Campaign

Live guest: 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign

By the way, this evergreen came all the way from Mesick, Michigan, which is a village just northwest of Cadillac, with a population of 397, according to the 2020 census.

If you need some inspiration, we have a full list of all the area holiday light shows, tree lightings, winter festivals, parades, and more at this link.

And of course, I hope you can join us for our Light Up the Season special, airing tonight at 7 p.m. on Channel 7. Or you can stream it by downloading our WXYZ app on your favorite streaming device, or watch it at this link.

Where Your Voice Matters

History has been made in Detroit as City Council President Mary Sheffield has won the Detroit mayoral race, becoming the first-ever woman elected as the citys mayor.

Sheffield beat her opponent, political newcomer Solomon Kinloch, Jr., the head of Triumph Church.

Its a groundbreaking moment in Detroit politics, and I talked with some longtime Detroiters and community leaders for their perspective on Sheffields victory.

Hear the full speech from Mary Sheffield in the video below

Mary Sheffield speaks after projected win as Detroit's next mayor

Born and raised in the Motor City, Sheffield was the youngest person ever elected to Detroit City Council at the age of 26, and is now the first female mayor.

How significant is this victory? I asked former Detroit City Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel.

Its an inflection point, and its a huge opportunity, Cockrel said. Not only is she the first woman, first Black woman to be mayor of the city, she also represents a generational shift in political leadership.

Cockrel said this is an opportunity for women to control many of the levers of local government.

We have a mayor, a city clerk, and a city council that has - may not have a majority of women this time, but has many women on it and has in the past had a majority women. And you have a, an opportunity now to really shape and frame the next four years in the city's history, she said.

Sheffields maternal grandmother, Mary Coty, said even as a child, Sheffield was very sure of herself. Her late mother, Yvonne Lovett, was a nursing professor.

Her dad, the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, instilled the importance of serving others. Her grandfather, Horace Sheffield Jr., was a civil rights titan and labor advocate.

In the past 12 years at city hall, Sheffield has blazed her own path, focusing on revitalizing neighborhoods, inclusionary housing, property tax reform and more.

I believe shes qualified. I believe that she will make a fine first woman as mayor, Coty said.

Adolph Mongo, a prominent political voice in Detroit, did not support Sheffield, but does want her to succeed.

I hope that she surrounds herself with some smart people. Not people that she likes or people that gave her money -- [but rather] people that know city government, Mongo said.

What do you think will be the biggest challenges she will face once in office? I asked.

This new administration is going to have to monitor very, very carefully what this destabilized American economy overall means to our regional economy and to the city's economy, Cockrel said.

Yes, she's making history, but she's going to do, she's going to have to make some tough decisions, Mongo said.

Sheffield was endorsed by current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who helped lead the city out of bankruptcy and into the future.

She garnered many other endorsements and raised more money than Kinloch.

When she comes into office, shell be dealing with concerns over potential cuts in social services and healthcare, the much-talked-about food desert in Detroit, the tariff war already impacting the city and the threat of President Donald Trump sending in the National Guard.

Shell be sworn into office on Jan. 1.

Related: Watch our interviews with political analyst Mario Morrow on Sheffield's win Live interview: Political analyst Mario Morrow on significance of Mary Sheffield's win