A scam sending threatening messages in the name of Apple has taken off. Several iPhone users have complained of receiving emails telling them that their iCloud storage is full and all their data will be deleted if they don't pay. Apple is not behind these emails, but scammers who want to steal your bank details, The Guardian reports.
For a while now, you've been getting actual notifications from Apple telling you that “iCloud storage is full.” Basically, you've exceeded your storage plan, so your documents aren't backed up anymore, and the photos you take aren't uploaded.
You've resisted Apple's efforts to convince you to pay a few euros a month for more storage space.
And then an email appears in your inbox telling you that your account has been blocked and your photos and videos will be deleted soon. To save them, you must upgrade immediately.
The next day you get another email telling you that if you don't take action, all your data will be deleted on that date.
How the scam works
Both emails include a link to “upgrade” your iCloud storage. But Apple isn't behind these threatening emails, but scammers trying to get you to click on a malicious link.
The link may take you to something that might look genuine but is actually a scam website designed to collect people's banking and personal details.
If you provide your bank details or make a payment, scammers may try to steal your money or sell your details to other criminals on the dark web.
This scam can look convincing because the fraudulent emails may coincide with real messages from Apple saying you're out of storage space and urging you to upgrade.
“Every Apple user needs to know about this nasty scam that's wreaking havoc,” British consumer watchdog Which warned in a recent Facebook post warning of this scam.
What threatening messages look like
There are many variations of this scam. An email seen by The Guardian reads in the subject line: “We've blocked your account! Your photos and videos will be deleted on (date).”
The title is “iCloud Storage Alert” and it goes on to say, “Storage limit reached… your iCloud account has reached its maximum storage capacity.”
Another says: “Your payment method has expired!… Your cloud service has been disabled.”
Some of the scam emails seem a bit more alarmist. For example, one is titled: “Payment failed for cloud storage renewal.” In almost all cases, there is a link you can click to “update” your payment method or “manage” your storage.
If you don't respond, scammers may try to coerce you with a “final warning” email.
“We have tried to contact you several times before but have had no response. If you have not resolved the issue today, all your data will be completely deleted, including your photos and videos,” a message seen by The Guardian read.
The Guardian advises that if you receive such messages, you should remove or ignore them and do not click on any links. If you click on the link, you do not share any personal information.
