Apple is a technology company that offers a wide range of online services and physical products including iTunes, Apple Pay, iCloud, iPhones and iPads.
About Apple scam texts, emails and phone calls
Apple is a technology company that offers a wide range of online services and physical products including iTunes, Apple Pay, iCloud, iPhones and iPads.
Scams posing as Apple can vary a lot given the wide ranging nature of the services provided by the company. Apple-themed scams often focus on Apple-specific products such as iTunes, iCloud and Apple Pay.
However, as with most phishing scams executed via text, email or by phone, the social engineering tactics used by crooks are often similar to other phishing scams.
This can include…
- Telling a recipient that this is something wrong or suspicious happening with their account and to perform some action or face having their account suspended or locked.
- Telling the recipient there was a problem with their payment or financial details.
- Informing the recipient of an unexpected charge on their account.
- Telling the recipient they are due a refund or prize.
- Telling the recipient that important account documents are attached to an email or available through a link.
- Telling the recipient their lost Apple device was located.
In most cases, the aim of these scams is to lure recipients to spoof websites or to call spoof phone numbers that are after a recipient’s personal details, thus making a victim vulnerable to identity theft. In some cases the aim of the scam may be luring a recipient into opening or downloading malware.
An example of such a text scam is below that claims the recipient’s Apple Pay account has been suspended due to “unusual activity”.
Apple: Your Apple Pay has been suspended due to unusual activity. Please visit: LINK to re-activate your wallet.
The below SMS scam also warns of a problem with Apple Pay and urges the recipient to click a link to “enable contactless payments”.
Uh-oh there appears to be an issue with your Apple Pay. Please visit: LINK to enable contactless payments.
The below scam text is similar but claims it is the recipient’s iCloud that has been locked.
Your iCloud ID has been temporarily suspended due to unauthorized login attempts. Unlock your iCloud ID: Link Removed
Another Apple scam text claims the recipient’s Apple ID will be terminated unless the recipient clicks a link to confirm their details.
The Apple ID associated with this number is due to be terminated. To prevent this please confirm your details at LINK – Apple Inc.
Report an Apple phone, text and email scam.
How to report an Apple scam text?
Apple state that you can screenshot the offending text and forward it to them at reportphishing@apple.com.
How to report an Apple scam email?
Apple state that you can report scam emails by forwarding them to reportphishing@apple.com. You can also forward suspicious emails that mention iCloud to abuse@icloud.com.
If you're in the UK, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam emails can be forwarded to The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at report@phishing.gov.uk
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the police via ActionFraud by calling 0300 123 2040 (or 101 in Scotland) or by using ActionFraud's online reporting tool here.
If you're in the USA, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using their complaint assistant here or by calling 1-877-382-4357 (9am-8pm ET)
From a different country? Click here.
You can also forward SMS or email scams to us at scam@thatsfake.com
Avoiding Apple phone, text and email scams
Apple themed scams are common and listing all the types of scams here would be impossible. However, practising good security habits will protect you from the vast majority of these types of scams.
This includes –
- Never clicking links on unexpected emails or messages purportedly sent from Apple.
- Never handing over personal information to someone calling you claiming to be from Apple.
- Never opening email attachments on unexpected emails purporting to come from Apple.
- Beware of unexpected messages or emails that contain poor grammar or spelling mistakes.
- Be aware of common social engineering tricks such as the claim your account has been suspended or locked, or that you’ve won a prize.
Apple has a web page dedicated for providing information about Apple-themed scams on their website here.