Cyber criminals are going to greater, and more convincing, lengths to get hold of your personal data these days, as a new Apple ID scam proves.
iPhone users are being sent a text telling them that their Apple ID is due to expire and asking them to follow a link.
The text says the following: “[Your Name] Your Apple ID is due to be expire today. Prevent this by confirming your Apple ID at [link] – Apple Inc.”
Tapping the link takes users to a fake version of the Apple website where they are asked to enter their username and password.
Related: iPhone SE
The website looks very convincing
The strikingly official-looking site will inform any user who enters their information that their account has been locked, before asking them for more information such as name, address, and credit or debit card information.
There’s even a fake “security” question which asks for either your passport number, dirver’s license number, or mother’s maiden name.
As one Apple subreddit user, TangoHotel, reported after entering fake information into the site: “After filling everything out, it “processed” then said that I’d be signed out and have to log back in. Then it sent me to the legit Apple iCloud login (green characters in the address bar).”
Related: iPhone 6S
As with all phishing scams of this sort, there’s no danger unless you visit the actual site and enter information. In short, don’t click on the link.
Anyone experiencing any issues with their Apple ID should always go directly to the Apple support page, rather than following any links from text messages or emails.
Have you received a scam text? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
