Apple Want My Mac Book Back

I have a 2021 16" Macbook Pro M1 purchased in May.
I received a phone call from Apple to say that my MacBook needs to go back and they are sending me a brand new one, wouldn't tell me what's wrong with it and to me it's working fine.
Anybody know what's going on ?

Did you buy it new?

They can't legal make you though, if it is officially your property?

And with no explanation? That's weird.

You sure it's not a scam?

Is that Apple calling? I think some swindler wants your laptop for free.

Sounds like a scam. Let them send you a new one. Have it checked out. Totally erase the old one. But I have never heard of such a thing unless they have a specific reason for wanting yours. Sounds really iffy to me.

Apple will never call you unless you requested a call back...

Sounds like a scam...

Topic starter, beware. Next time they may try "we are calling from Police/FBI, we need your laptop for evidence" or whatever.

thewall said:

I have a 2021 16" Macbook Pro M1 purchased in May.
I received a phone call from Apple to say that my MacBook needs to go back and they are sending me a brand new one, wouldn't tell me what's wrong with it and to me it's working fine.
Anybody know what's going on ?

Call Apple back and verify, not who called you.

I thought it sounded iffy but they said i could take it to an Apple store to replace it but the nearest is miles away and when i phoned customer service i get through to the team dealing with it.
Checked the number they called on and comes back to Apple

Any recall campaign ongoing?

Take 2 or 3 steps.
1) Call apple directly, try a different number such as tech support or sales or applecare and they will forward you to the correct department.
1.5) Alternatively, try live chat. Might be a much safer bet
2) Ask for the exact reason for this happening and take names and verify
3) If they call back, tell them you will ONLY take it to a store and see what they say. If they are a scam, they will most likely insist you send it directly or just give up
4) Tell them you will wait for the replacement to arrive before you send it back. If Apple, this should not be an issue

Spoofing numbers is very easy so never trust the number called from. Usually threatening to call back instead shows if a scam or not if they say no or get angry.

thewall said:

I thought it sounded iffy but they said i could take it to an Apple store to replace it but the nearest is miles away and when i phoned customer service i get through to the team dealing with it.
Checked the number they called on and comes back to Apple

check for your laptop

here are the latest Apple recalls:

They do this sometimes to investigate issues. But it’s usually after a tech support / Genius Bar appointment. Have you raised any tickets with them lately about problems? Have you called them to verify that they have a case open? Did they give you a repair number?

If no, probably a scam.

ElRojito said:

They do this sometimes to investigate issues. But it’s usually after a tech support / Genius Bar appointment. Have you raised any tickets with them lately about problems? Have you called them to verify that they have a case open? Did they give you a repair number?

If no, probably a scam.

Yeah, they would tell him why they want it, right?

Gravydog316 said:

Yeah, they would tell him why they want it, right?

Yeah. It’s called a CRU. It’s a pretty standard process; but a call out of the blue isn’t.

Sounds like scam to me too. Contact Apple directly and ask about it.

im invested now to see how this all pans out lol

Apple, or any other company doesn’t call individuals to issue a recall.
I’d ignore it and go on about your business

This is a scam. This isn’t how recalls work.

thewall said:

I thought it sounded iffy but they said i could take it to an Apple store to replace it but the nearest is miles away and when i phoned customer service i get through to the team dealing with it.
Checked the number they called on and comes back to Apple

I would still be very suspicious of this. What customer service number did you call? Did they explain why they want your MacBook?

Even if the nearest Apple Store is miles away, I would definitely visit them before moving forward with anything. That way you'd be talking to people face to face, people with names and employee numbers and so on.

Speaking of moving forward with this, I also wouldn't hand over my MacBook until you receive a new one in the mail, verify that it's brand new and working, etc.

I think a bit of skepticism is warranted in this situation given that a) this is unusual and b) it's a significant amount of money on the line.

thewall said:

I thought it sounded iffy but they said i could take it to an Apple store to replace it but the nearest is miles away and when i phoned customer service i get through to the team dealing with it.
Checked the number they called on and comes back to Apple

Ask them to give you a case number, then call Apple directly, give them the number and ask them to explain why they need it.

As others have said, this has scam written all over it. But how would the caller know you have a MBP that was bought in May? Have you bought a third-party extended warranty for it or anything?

Ask them to send you the new MBP first, so you can transfer all your data. Ask for a tracking number. See if they come through, and note where it's being delivered from.

As @1BadManVan said, please keep us updated.

1BadManVan said:

im invested now to see how this all pans out lol

D R A M A A A A ! ! !

anshuvorty said:

Apple will never call you unless you requested a call back...

Sounds like a scam...

They would also send you the new one first