Packed full of features and great to use, we all love our iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and other Apple devices. They may be a little more expensive to buy than other makes of electronic gadgets, but we think they’re worth it. Unfortunately, so do thieves, scammers and phishers. iPhones are not only the most frequently stolen mobile device (they are often ‘stolen to order’ by gangs targeting specific models), but because Apple devices cost a little more, the users are assumed to be better off and are also regarded as a source of rich pickings by scammers and phishers.
Regular phishing attacks are carried out in order to try to obtain details of people’s Apple account details, and once these are disclosed, the scammers can try to get their hands on lots more useful info such as credit card and bank details, and other security information including mother’s maiden name and even passport details. I know about these attacks because, along with millions of other people, I have received several of the emails associated with the scam(s). I ignored and deleted all of them, but I must admit that initially, when I looked at the contents, they did make me stop and think for a moment because they were so convincing.
Scare tactics
The messages and emails often warn you that ‘your Apple ID is about to expire’ ‘your account is locked’ or ‘you have changed your password on your iTunes account’, and helpfully provide you with a convenient link for you to click to sort out the ‘problem’. Texts typically come from ‘AppleInc’, and are cleverly worded to alarm the unwary into thinking they need to act quickly or they will be denied access to their accounts. Sometimes, they even have your correct name included which makes them seem all the more realistic.
If you click one of the links, you will apparently be directed to a fake website that looks convincingly like the Apple site. Here, you will be asked to provide all kinds of information, and all of it is like gold dust to the phishers. If you receive one of these emails or SMS, don’t open any attachments or click on any links. Either delete it straight away or report it to Apple.
Go to the Apple support site
In reality, Apple are fully aware of these scams and are doing all they can to prevent people falling victim. The real iTunes and other genuine Apple related sites will never ask you to provide information such as credit card and bank details, passwords or other personal and private information via an email or a text, so any you receive should be treated with suspicion.
If you’re unsure if an email is genuine (and as we have already stated, Apple do not ask you for security details), then don’t follow the links provided, go directly to the Apple Support website and check out what they have to say about the various scams and phishing attempts that they are aware of.
