Some scams are inevitably more sophisticated than others, and we've come a long way from the "you won a free iPhone" scam. In fact, if the new accounts reported on Mashable are to prove pervasive, the lengths that some scammers will go to in order to steal your iPhone 15 is truly quite remarkable.

The scam in question actually targeted the site's technology reporter, Cecily Mauran, who received a series of calls from an unknown number shortly after she ordered an iPhone 15 through Verizon.

According to her, the calls were from a scammer claiming to be a Verizon representative. The scammer claimed to have "received a call from Apple" that her new phone was a defective device plagued with overheating problems.

"They told me I needed to come pick up my phone immediately because it was 'dangerous,'" she explained.

There are several reasons for this. The most obvious is that it relates to products that Moran actually just ordered, giving them legitimacy. But these were never dangerous, and the problem was resolved with a software update, an app fix, and a little time.

Despite this, the caller persisted and arranged for FedEx to pick up the "defective" iPhone. Fortunately, Moran was quick-witted enough to call Verizon himself to verify the call.

"There are no issues with your iPhone 15 that would warrant an effort from Verizon," a spokesperson told Mashable." Our guidance is that if someone calls you saying they are Verizon and you are skeptical or just not sure, hang up and call [Verizon]."

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However, the scam was still ongoing and a FedEx truck actually came to pick up the phone. After Moran explained the situation, the driver revealed that the phone was transported to a physical address in Miami, mysteriously bearing a Kentucky phone number. The recipient was "RETUNS PROCESING CENTER" [omitted].

It is not certain how widespread this scam is, but the lesson is always to be careful, even if the caller seems to know you well.

If you get a call out of the blue, call the company claiming to be the caller and double-check. Worst outcome: they confirm that it is legit and you feel a little stupid for your own paranoia - but it is much better than going out of pocket.

What is unclear is how the scammers got to Moran just as she ordered the iPhone 15. This was clearly not a sporadic approach, as the scammers knew she was a Verizon customer and had an old email address she had registered with; Mashable speculates that the vishing attempt may have been made possible by an old data breach

This scenario is not the only one that has been used.

In this scenario, the iPhone 15 part may just be speculation. After all, it is a popular smartphone, and scammers are bound to find Verizon customers ordering the new phone in the weeks following its release.

A helpful adage to spot a scam is, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." The failure of this scam is a reminder that potentially bad news should be viewed with a critical eye as well.