Apple / iTunes Scam

Posted by: Mike-B on 09 May 2016

I had a scam mail a few days ago & talking to friends they've had the same;  now I've just had a TVP Neighbourhood Watch warning of the same scam,  so it seems there's a lot about.   Its one of the scams that anyone who is scam savvy will see through,  but it does look like a genuine Apple communication & includes the correct Apple postal address.   So as its related to Apple, iTunes, iCloud & iOS users with Naim app. that many of our fraternity will be using  ........  

It appears to be an Apple / iTunes addressed to your name & your normal email account informing you of activity on your iCloud account:  I was told my Apple ID was used to sign in to my iCloud on a MacBook Pro & asked I follow various links to “Verify Now” or “Reset Password”    

Posted on: 09 May 2016 by Dungassin

First thing you do is look at the email header, and see what address it came from.

Next check on 'tinterweb' to see if the email is a scam.

Then if still doubtful, go directly to the Apple website (NOT via the email link) and do the suggested changes there (if you think they're a good idea).

Posted on: 09 May 2016 by Adam Zielinski

The activity Mike described above has been going on for the last 6 months now. Best is to ignore it. 

I have set up a 'secondary' email address (work one) - any genuine changes / activities get emailed to both accounts simultaneously. 

This way if I only get one email, I know it's a scam. 

Posted on: 09 May 2016 by Simon-in-Suffolk

actually - the email header is unreliable as it can be easily spoofed. The ways to help identify and prevent phishing crime I suggest are

1) Check to see whether email is personally addressed to you in the body of the email - or whether its a generic Dear Customer

2) Hover your mouse over the hypertext link - you will see the the URL.... does it have some strange looking address info or end in a country code that looks suspicious.

3) If still in doubt and best to do this anyway. Log onto service indicated - completely independently. Don't go via any links from emails etc. If there is a issue requiring your attention or an item you take advantage of it will almost certainly be in the service notification when you log in.

Posted on: 09 May 2016 by Mike-B

I didn't want to start a debate on the technicalities of e-mail scams,  just to warn those who may not be so experienced that as an iOS user with an iCloud account that its doing the rounds.

I get numbers of such phishing scams & am well used to seeing the best.  This one is pretty good,  its addressed to me personally & includes my regular e-mail address.  All the artwork, header/footer detail look to be Apple & accurate.  The URL is obvioulsy dodgy, not Apple & country code is .in (India)    

My advice is simply delete any e-mail you have any doubt about whatsoever,  if Apple or your bank or your ISP have a problem, they will not ask you to connect to them through this link