Apple iPhone and iPad users need to be aware of a scam e-mail that threatens their Apple ID could be blocked if they don’t respond within 24 hours.
Apple users need to be aware of a convincing looking e-mail that threatens their login for iTunes, iCloud and the App Store could be disabled.
The message features the Apple logo as well as the font styles and clean designs seen in official correspondences from the Cupertino tech giant.
The e-mail alleges that information the recipient has on their Apple ID account is “inaccurate and unverified”.
It asks the Apple ID holder to click on a “login now” button and verify information about their account.
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If they don’t, then the recipient is warned: “Your account will be disabled if we didn’t receive any response from you in more 24 hours”.
However, the message is a phishing scam that tries to trick users into handing over their personal information.
There are a number of telltale signs that the e-mail is fake – and not an official correspondence from Apple.
Firstly, the e-mail is sent from ‘[email protected]’ – which is an address that’s not attached to an official Apple web domain.
Secondly, the message is littered with grammar mistakes – something that a massive firm like Apple would not let slip in an official e-mail to fans.
Thirdly, Apple will never ask you to provide personal information over an e-mail.
Apple recently updated its advice to customers about how to spot a scam e-mail.
The US technology company now warns: “If you receive an email about an App Store or iTunes Store purchase, and you’re not sure whether it is real, you can look for a couple of things that can help confirm that the message is from Apple.
“Genuine purchase receipts – from purchases in the App Store, iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or Apple Music – include your current billing address, which scammers are unlikely to have.
“You can also review your App Store, iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or Apple Music purchase history.
“Emails about your App Store, iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or Apple Music purchases will never ask you to provide this information over email: Social Security Number, Mother’s maiden name, Full credit card number, or Credit card CCV code”
Apple also requests users to forward any scam correspondence to [email protected].
If you have already entered your details into a webpage you believe to be fraudulent, it’s worth changing the password associated with your account.
Change the password for any other online accounts that use the same email address and password combination, too.
Last month Express.co.uk also warned Apple fans about another convincing looking scam e-mail.
The e-mail poses as an official message from the Apple Store with information about a new monthly subscription.
In one example we saw, the fraudulent App Store receipt depicts a YouTube Red subscription with a one-month free trail and subsequent $144.99 a month renewal rate.
Cybercriminals set the monthly subscription rate ludicrously high to try and force users to hit the “Cancel Subscription” link in the body of the email.
Clicking that link will take users to a new webpage where hackers try to solicit your Apple ID login credentials, credit or debit card details, and other private information.