How to Spot and Prevent Apple ID Phishing Scams

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Apple ID phishing scams represent genuine danger nowadays. The concept of “phishing” stands for an advanced cyberattack form that embodies social engineering tactics. It may sound familiar to you. Disguised links sharing embedded in emails is one of the tactics that may trick you into providing sensitive data to cybercriminals.

In this article, we are going to take a closer look at phishing attempts involving Apple IDs. Today there are 1.5 billion active Apple devices, which require Apple IDs to gain access to Apple services like Apple Music, App Store, iCloud, FaceTime, iMessage, and others. Why is the threat so real? Think about the fact that you don’t even require an Apple device to access Apple-related software or services, such as iTunes, or log in to Apple’s official website so the number of people becoming victims is exponential.

Why Are Scammers Trying to Steal Your Apple ID?

The reason is obvious – your Apple ID is your ticket to using anything Apple-related and stores a great deal of personal information.

• You use your Apple ID to log in to your Apple devices – think Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, and in the future you might even be using it for your Apple self-driving car, the iCar developed through project Titan, according to rumors. However, there is no specific data confirmed when the self-driving car project will be finalized.
  
• It includes your payment and shipping information for purchasing applications from the App Store and devices by logging in to Apple.com.
  
• With the Apple ID, you can access your security settings, subscriptions, and in-app purchases associated with it.
  
• Your Apple ID is used to access iCloud, where you can store your photos and any types of files and the theft of these can lead to blackmailing and even sextortion.
  

There are many forms of Apple ID phishing attempts out there. In this article, we’re going to give you some examples so you get a sense of what they can look like and be better prepared against them.

Types of Apple ID Phishing Scams with Examples

1. Apple ID Receipt Order Email

You can make purchases in App Store, iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or Apple Music.

In the subject line of this kind of e-mail, you will find included some phrases like “Receipt ID”, “Receipt Order”, or “Payment Statement”. The purpose of this scam is to trick you into thinking a payment has been made using your credit card. As a result, you may hurry into canceling the order, worried that your money has been taken. If the attached file is opened or if you click the link, most probably you will end up on a page where you will be asked to confirm your personal details, such as password, credit card details, address, etc.

However, there are other Apple ID fake receipts that may seem much more convincing, like this one: Error! Filename not specified.

As a general rule, what makes it obvious that you can receive a fake invoice is the fact that an authentic receipt e-mail from Apple will know to precisely tell where your current billing address is. You will never find in Apple’s invoices some shady links to click on in order to make some changes to a subscription or to cancel it.

Also, pay attention to the fact that firstly, Apple purchases will never require information via e-mail and will not ask for Social Security Number, the credit card CVV, or payment info.

So, stay alert, and look for the warning signs! Moving forward, we’re going to give you a few more examples of Apple ID phishing scams so you know what type of content you should watch out for.

2. Apple ID Phone Call Scams

Apple ID scams have also gone beyond fishy emails and crossed over to the illegal business of scam phone calls. Scammers have also tried to use spoofed phone numbers, which are displayed on your phone as a real Apple number, with Apple’s logo, official website, customer support number, and actual address.

This way, the masquerade looks alarmingly real.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the one who calls you is really an Apple representative. The scam can seem so veridical. You wouldn’t think hackers try to perform an Apple ID phishing scam. The solution is to just simply hang up. Then call the real Apple to check if they genuinely called you before. Also, it is known that Apple representatives will never ask for Apple ID passwords, iCloud credentials, and other data in a phone call.

3. Apple ID Fake Text Message

Here is the second example of an Apple ID scam you may receive on your phone, this time in the form of a text message. It would read something like “Your Apple account is now locked” and will lure you into accessing a link that supposedly unlocks your account.

Here is another similar example, which aims to trick you into thinking your iCloud ID has been deactivated and that you now need to complete the activation process.

Another example of a fake text message would be to announce through an SMS that your iCloud account shows signs of malicious activity. They will text you and provide a phone number where you have to call to solve your issue. If you call, you’ll be welcomed by that typical automatic message that says to wait a certain amount of time till an agent will talk to you. Then, when you get in touch with the supposed agent finally, they will ask for credentials, payment info, or access to remotely assist you. This way hackers phish scam your Apple ID.
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