Apple Phone Scam Warning Signs and Safety Tips

Be cautious of Apple phone scammers who may contact you via phone, email, or text message, claiming to be from Apple Support. These scammers often try to trick you into revealing sensitive information.

Apple phone scammers may pose as representatives from Apple Support, claiming that your device is infected with a virus or that your account has been compromised. They may ask you to provide your Apple ID, password, or credit card information.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, be aware of the warning signs. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, such as claiming your device will be disabled if you don't take action immediately.

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Apple phone scams are often categorized into three main types: phishing, spoofing, and malware attacks.

Phishing scams involve tricking victims into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by posing as a legitimate Apple representative or service.

Spoofing scams, on the other hand, involve manipulating the caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate Apple source.

Malware attacks can take many forms, including ransomware that locks your device and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key.

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A wave of Apple billing text messages have been circulating, claiming to be from Apple Security Alert, warning recipients about suspicious activity on their accounts.

These messages often mention a large unauthorized payment, such as $143.95 or $236.00, and claim that the account will be auto-debited if the recipient doesn't call a provided phone number to cancel the charge.

Millions of people have probably received this text, and even a small percentage of responses could lead to hundreds of compromised accounts.

It's strictly a numbers game, and the goal is to get people to interact with the message and the sender.

Don't fall for it – if you receive one of these texts, don't interact with the message or the sender.

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Apple won't call you after repeated password-reset push notifications.

Fake phone calls from Apple support may occur after an MFA bombing attack, where a malicious user tries to get into your account by asking you to approve a password reset. This is a common scam tactic.

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Apple won't call you to ask for account details to "ensure security" and "help you reset your Apple ID." This is a phishing attempt designed to make you panic and give out personal information.

I've seen many people worry about their iCloud data being compromised, but it's essential to know that iCloud has not been compromised at this time. The only cases of hacked Apple data involved stolen third-party account information that matches Apple account logins.

Scammers may pretend to be from Apple Care, the warranty and support service that people get when they purchase an iPhone or similar device. Be cautious of calls or messages suggesting you call an Apple Care number.

If you receive a call from "Apple Care" or a message that suggests you call an Apple Care number, don't trust any number or email provided. Instead, go to Apple's official support site and use the contact options found there.

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iCloud storage warning email scams are a real threat. They claim your storage might be full and offer a free upgrade to a "Get this deal" link. Don't fall for it!

These scams are a variation of phishing emails that try to trick you into giving away your personal information. We wrote about this scam in December, warning people about the "iCloud FREE Storage Notice" email scams.

If you receive one of these emails, don't click on the link. It's likely a scam designed to steal your account details. Instead, report it to Apple and the authorities.

Apple has not been compromised, and your iCloud data is safe. The only cases of hacked Apple data involved stolen third-party account information that matches Apple account logins.

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iCloud has not been compromised, but scammers are trying to make you think it has. They'll call or email claiming your data is at risk and ask for your account details to "ensure security."

Be wary of calls from "Apple Inc." or "Apple Support" claiming to be from Apple. These scammers may even steal real Apple store numbers to make their calls seem legitimate.

If you get a call from "Apple Care", don't trust any number or email they give you. Instead, go to Apple's own support site and use their contact options.

Scammers are using Apple Care as a convincing excuse to get you to call a fake number. They'll claim you need to call to resolve an issue with your iCloud account.

Don't fall for "iCloud FREE Storage Notice" email scams that claim to offer a free storage upgrade. These emails are phishing scams designed to steal your personal information.

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Apple will never contact you to demand a password change, so be wary of messages asking you to reset your Apple ID. These messages are likely scams.

To confirm a legitimate Apple threat notification, look for an email and iMessage notification sent to your Apple ID email addresses and phone numbers. The notification will direct you to the Apple ID website, where you can view more information about the attack.

Fake in-browser alerts claiming to be from Apple or the FBI are scams, so don't believe them. If you're concerned about malware, scan your Mac with a trustworthy antivirus like Intego VirusBarrier X9.

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Apple threat notifications are legitimate if you receive an email and iMessage notification from the email addresses and phone numbers associated with your Apple ID, and a Threat Notification is displayed at the top of the page after signing into appleid.apple.com.

These notifications don't contain links to click, but direct you to the Apple ID website instead. After signing in, clicking the View Details link in the Threat Notification bar takes you to a page giving more information about the attack.

If you're unsure about a threat notification, don't click on any links or try to reset your Apple ID. Apple will never contact you to demand a change in your ID or password.

To verify a threat notification, sign into appleid.apple.com and check the Threat Notification bar at the top of the page. This is where you'll find more information about the attack.

Apple's support document on About Apple threat notifications and protecting against mercenary spyware explains the process in more detail.

Apple users, beware of fake phone calls claiming to be from Apple support. These scams often occur after an MFA bombing attack, where a malicious user tries to get you to slip up and approve a password reset.

Apple won't call you after repeated password-reset push notifications, so ignore any calls claiming to be from Apple support in these situations.

Scammers are now focusing on iCloud accounts, calling you about compromised security and asking for account details to "ensure security" and "help you reset your Apple ID." Don't fall for it - Apple is not calling people over iCloud breaches.

iCloud has not been compromised, and the only cases of hacked Apple data involved stolen third-party account information that matches Apple account logins. Apple is not calling people to demand they change their ID or password.

Be cautious of calls from "Apple Care" or messages suggesting you call an Apple Care number. Instead, go to Apple's own support site and use the contact options found there to verify the reason for the call.

If you get a call or message asking you to reset your Apple ID, don't tap "allow" - tap "don't allow" instead. This will prevent scammers from gaining access to your account.

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If you receive an email that claims to be from Apple but you believe it’s fraudulent, you can report it to Apple and the authorities.

To report scam emails, check out Apple's video tutorial on how to report it.

Be cautious of emails from Apple that ask you to click on links, as they're likely phishing attempts. Legitimate emails from Apple may include links to their support website or receipts from Apple services.

If you receive an email claiming you've made a purchase you don't recognize, don't click any links. Check your actual purchase history to make sure you didn't accidentally buy something. If you did, use Apple's Report a Problem site to resolve the issue, but only from a trusted link or bookmark.

Some phishing scams claim your iCloud storage is full and offer a free upgrade, but these are scams too. Don't fall for them, and always be wary of links in emails from unknown senders.

Browser alerts claiming your system is infected are scams. Apple will never contact you with in-browser alerts about malware infections or security issues.

Don't believe in-browser alerts claiming to be from Apple or the FBI. They're fake and designed to trick you.

If you're concerned about malware, scan your Mac with a trustworthy antivirus like Intego VirusBarrier X9. It's a powerful solution designed to protect against, detect, and eliminate Mac malware.

You'll receive email links from Apple in a few specific situations, but be cautious of phishing attempts. If you've opened a support case with AppleCare, the emails they send may contain links to Apple's support website.

Legitimate emails from Apple will include your case number for verification purposes. Receipts from Apple's App Store, iTunes Store, or other Apple services will also contain links. However, no legitimate emails will ask you to click on a link to log into your Apple ID account.

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If you receive an email claiming you've made a purchase that you don't recognize, don't click any links. It's almost certainly a scam. If you're really concerned, check your actual purchase history to make sure you didn't accidentally buy something.

Be wary of emails that claim your iCloud storage is full and offer a free upgrade. This is a phishing scam that tries to trick you into clicking on a link. Don't fall for it.

Apple will never contact you and demand you change your ID or password. If you receive a message claiming to be from an Apple representative asking you to reset your Apple ID, it's a scam. Ignore the messages and don't tap on the notification.