Scammers are always looking for ways to hit unsuspecting users, and one of the most common is by obtaining their private login details. Doing so can allow them to obtain valuable personal information or even gain access to their financial accounts.
To newest scams involve realistic-looking emails that appear to be from official institutions. Recently, Apple users have reported receiving messages that appear to be from the company informing them that their account has been suspended.
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To remedy the situation, all they need to do is click a link in the email, be taken to a website where they can, and enter their details.
You might see the problem. The site the link takes them to is fraudulent.
In this article, we’ll be dissecting the scam and how to guard against it.
Scamming the Ecosystem
The Apple ID scam could target any device in the ecosystem, from an iPhone to a Mac laptop. This isn’t the first scam of this type either – there’s also been an iCloud storage scam.
The scam involves a message reportedly from “Apple,” explaining that the recipient has been suspended from their account, and needs to re-enter their details within a time limit (usually 24 hours) or risk facing account deletion.
What lends this scam its legitimacy is its appearance. The messages use the official company brand style, which includes logos, fonts, and even the blue buttons to click to take users to the supposed login page. Additionally, the rise of AI has helped scammers create more realistic and convincing emails that avoid basic spelling mistakes that could easily tip off some users.
Once the user logs in with their details, the information is now in the hands of the scammers, putting the user’s entire account at risk.
Staying Alert and Spotting the Flags
This isn’t the first (and unfortunately probably not the last) scam that Apple users will face, but it’s important to notice the warning signs. You might get a message that differs slightly from the one described but there are common red flags that will help you guard against any phishing attempts:
Call to Action
Scammers usually prompt action with bad news. You might receive a message reading “Suspicious activity has been detected on your Apple ID” or “You’ve been logged out of your account.” In a panic to fix the situation, you might not think clearly as usual and follow any steps they give.
Urgency
The 24-hour time limit given in this scam’s message is a textbook scammer tactic. Setting a time limit makes victims more liable to panic and do whatever the scammer wants. Apple itself will never give such an ultimatum. Don’t be afraid to step back and contact an official Apple Support member or technician to verify.
Generic Greeting
Beware of generic greetings that fail to use your name. If there’s no greeting at all, you should also be suspicious. Apple has your personal details – they know your name and most official correspondence from them will use it when addressing you.
Phony Websites
As much as scammers might really want to obtain it, the Apple website domain name has already been claimed. The site you’re taken to might look official, but it may have a strange-looking URL or the logo might seem pixelated or “off.” In those cases, it’s almost certainly a scam. Beware especially of websites that include Apple as part of their URL or lack proper encryption.
Help Solve the Problem
If you’ve unfortunately fallen victim to this scam, then you should immediately change your Apple ID password. It also helps to report this and other scams to Apple directly, so they can warn others and fight them.
Send your email, along with any screenshots and info you can capture, to Apple Support. You can also forward the email you’ve received as further evidence. The email for phishing reports is: [email protected].
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When my sweet old grandmother got caught up in an Amazon gift card scam, I decided then and there that I needed to do whatever I could to inform as many people as possible about the grifters of the world. That’s what I do here – writing about modern scams so you don’t get caught out.
