You get an email in your inbox, claiming that you made a purchase on your Apple account, even though you actually didn’t. Confused, you open the email to see more details about what the purchase was. However, there’s a link if you want to view more information about the item you purchased. You have also received phone calls and text messages talking about the same product you supposedly purchased. The question is… should you open the link or is it just Apple ID scams??

Types of Apple ID Scams

Phishing Scams

A scammer messages you via email or text message, claiming that you purchased an item with your Apple ID. You see that there’s a phishing link to click on for more information about the purchase you have made. Thinking that it’s a legit message or email, you click on the link and are directed to a fake website that looks like a legit Apple site.

You see that there is a form for you to fill out your personal information and account information, then after you do that it asks for financial information for the purchase. Once you fill it out, you have given the scammer all of this information and they can then use it to commit identity theft and steal your money.

Pop-Up Advertisements

Scammers will create phony pop-up ads, claiming that there is a problem with your device or your account. However, when you click on the ad, it downloads pesky malware onto your device. Sometimes, it will even ask for your account information, personal information, and financial information. However, once you enter this information, scammers will steal your online accounts, your identity, and your hard-earned money.

Robocall Scams

Scammers call you up, pretending to be Apple customer service. They claim that something is wrong with your account and asks for your account information. They also ask for personal information and financial information that is on the account “to verify that the account is yours.” Once you give that to them, they steal all the information you provided them with and hang up on you.

How to Avoid Apple ID Scams

• Make sure to use two-factor authentication to protect your Apple ID.
• Don’t give out your personal information, account information, or financial information to anyone you don’t know.
• Make sure that the email you receive from Apple is legit by looking for your current billing address on the receipt.
• Don’t pay anyone using Apple gift cards.
• Don’t send money to anyone you don’t know via Apple Pay. 
• Don’t click on any suspicious links in emails you have received without verifying that the sender is actually Apple.
• Call Apple customer service if you have concerns that you might be a part of a scam.
• Report any scam that you’ve been a part of to the FTC so they can further investigate the scam.

Social Catfish is Here to Help You!

At Social Catfish, we want to help you verify the identities of those who might seem suspicious to you. If you have their name, email address, phone number, social media username, or image, you can reverse search and see who the suspected person was that you’ve been in contact with if you think you’ve been a victim of Apple ID scams.

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