Recognise and avert phishing messages, phony support calls and other scams

Use these tips to avert scams and notice out what to exercise if you lot receive suspicious emails, phone calls or other messages.

If you receive a suspicious email or SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to exist from Apple tree, please email it to reportphishing@apple.com.1

Phishing refers to fraudulent attempts to become personal information from you, commonly by electronic mail. Just scammers utilise whatsoever means they can to fob you into sharing data or giving them coin, including:

  • Fraudulent emails and other letters that await like they're from legitimate companies, including Apple
  • Misleading pop-ups and ads that say your device has a security problem
  • Scam telephone calls or voicemails that impersonate Apple Support
  • False promotions that offer free products and prizes
  • Unwanted Agenda invitations and subscriptions

If y'all're suspicious nearly an unexpected message, phone call or asking for personal data or money, it's safer to presume that it'due south a scam and contact that visitor directly if you need to. If you're concerned about a security issue with your Apple device, yous can go help from Apple.


If you lot believe that your Apple tree ID has been compromised, or that you may have entered your password or other personal info on a scam website, modify your Apple ID countersign immediately.

How to protect your Apple account and devices

Here are some things you can do to avoid scams that target your Apple business relationship and devices.

  • Never share personal information such as credit carte numbers, unless you lot can verify the recipient is who they claim to be.
  • Protect your Apple ID. Use ii-factor authentication, always proceed your contact information secure and upwards to date, and never share your Apple tree ID countersign or verification codes with anyone. Apple never asks for this information to provide back up.
  • Never use Apple Gift Cards to make other kinds of payments.
  • Observe out how to identify legitimate Apple emails about your App Store or iTunes Shop purchases. If you send or receive money with Apple Pay (US but), care for information technology like whatsoever other individual transaction.
  • Learn how to continue your Apple devices and data secure.
  • Only download software from sources y'all can trust.
  • Don't follow links or open or salvage attachments in suspicious or unsolicited messages.

How to report suspicious emails, letters and calls

  • If yous receive a suspicious email that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, please frontwards information technology to reportphishing@apple.com.1
  • To report a suspicious SMS text bulletin that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, accept a screenshot of the message and electronic mail the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.
  • To report spam or other suspicious emails that you receive in your iCloud.com, me.com or mac.com Inbox, send them to abuse@icloud.com.
  • To written report spam or other suspicious messages that yous receive through Messages, tap Report Junk under the message. You tin can too block unwanted messages and calls.
  • Report scam phone calls to the Federal Merchandise Committee (US only) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to your local law enforcement agency.

More information almost phishing and other scams

Find out how to identify phishing messages, handle fraudulent phone calls and avert other online scams.

How to place fraudulent emails and messages

Scammers try to copy email and text messages from legitimate companies to trick yous into giving them your personal information and passwords. These signs tin aid you identify phishing emails:

  • The sender's e-mail address or phone number doesn't match the name of the company it claims to be from.
  • The email address or telephone number they used to contact you lot is different from the ane y'all gave that company.
  • A link in a bulletin looks correct, only the URL doesn't match the company's website.2
  • The message looks significantly different from other messages y'all've received from the company.
  • The message requests personal information, such every bit a credit carte number or account password.
  • The message is unsolicited and contains an attachment.

If you go a suspicious phone call or voicemail

Scammers apply imitation Caller ID info to spoof phone numbers of companies such every bit Apple and often merits that there's suspicious activeness on your business relationship or device to get your attention. Or they may use flattery or threats to pressure level yous into giving them information, money and fifty-fifty Apple souvenir cards.

If yous get an unsolicited or suspicious call from someone challenge to be from Apple or Apple Back up, just hang up.

You can study scam phone calls to the Federal Trade Commission (US only) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to your local law enforcement agency.

If y'all see suspicious Calendar events

If you become an unwanted or suspicious agenda invitation in Mail or Calendar, you lot can report it every bit Junk in iCloud. If you may have unintentionally subscribed to a spam Calendar, yous tin can delete information technology.

If your spider web browser displays annoying pop-ups

While browsing the spider web, if you lot see a pop-upwards or alarm that offers you lot a free prize or warns you about security issues or viruses on your device, don't believe information technology. These types of pop-ups are usually fraudulent advertisements, designed to trick you lot into downloading dissentious software or giving the scammer personal information or money.

Don't telephone call the number or follow the links to claim the prize or fix the trouble. Ignore the message and just navigate away from the folio or close the entire window or tab.

If you lot're prompted to download software

Use extreme caution if you download content from the Cyberspace. Some downloads found on the Internet may not contain the software they claim to, or may contain software that yous didn't expect or want. This includes apps that enquire to install configuration profiles that can then control your device. If installed, unknown or unwanted software may become intrusive and abrasive and could even damage your Mac and steal your data.

To avoid unwanted, fake or malicious software, install software from the App Shop or get it directly from the programmer's website. Discover out how to safely open up software on your Mac or remove unwanted configuration profiles from your iPhone, iPad or iPod bear on.

1. To report an SMS text message, take a screenshot of the message and send it via email. If you forward a message from Mail on your Mac, include the header data past selecting the bulletin and choosing Forward As Attachment from the Message menu.

2. To confirm the destination of a link on your Mac, hover your pointer over the link to see the URL. If you can't see the URL in the condition bar in Safari, cull View > Show Status Bar. On your iOS device, y'all can touch and concord the link.

Information about products non manufactured by Apple tree, or independent websites non controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, operation or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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