Is this a message about disabling Apple ID? This is a dangerous scam

Let’s talk about what happened have been popping up in mailboxes lately — those sneaky “Your Apple ID has been disabled” emails.

Like many people who have contacted us, you may have received a fairly legitimate looking ID that says something like, “Your Apple ID has been temporarily disabled. Check yours Apple ID information.”

Spoiler alert: this is most likely a scam, and we’re about to find out why.

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Anatomy of a scam

So this is how these scammers work. You receive an email that looks perfectly legitimate with the Apple logo and creates a sense of urgency, claiming that there is a problem with your Apple ID. They’ll say something like, “If you don’t verify your account within 48 hours, it will be permanently locked.” Oh, right? That’s exactly what they want you to think. So you “Click the button below to confirm as soon as possible”. They want you to click where it says “Go to Apple ID”.

Once you do that, you will be taken to a fake Apple website that looks almost identical to the real one. This scam site prompts you to enter your username, password and other sensitive information, which scammers can then use to access your Apple account and possibly steal your personal data or make unauthorized purchases.

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Let’s play detective and look for some red flags in these scam emails

Urgent language: They are trying to scare you into acting without thinking. A classic scam move.

Vague claims: “Missing or invalid information”? It’s deliberately vague to make you doubt yourself.

Lockout threats: Nothing like a good threat to get your heart racing, eh?

Terms of Service Discussion: They add it to sound official, but it’s just smoke and mirrors.

Grammatical errors: Authentic Apple emails are polished. Scammers? Not really.

Suspicious sender address: Always check if it’s actually from @apple.com (spoiler: it’s probably not). Any legitimate email from Apple will come from a domain that ends in “@email.apple.com.” As you can see from the scam email below, it’s from a fake email: [email protected], not Apple.

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Why are scammers looking for your Apple ID?

You might be wondering, “Why are these scammers so obsessed with Apple ID?” Well, there are several reasons:

• iCloud Gold Mine: Your photos, contacts and documents are valuable for identity theft or blackmail.
• Shopping potential: Saved payment information means they can spend money on your pennies.
• Access to financial account: Many people associate their bank accounts with their Apple ID. Jackpot for hackers.
• Dark Web Data Offers: Your personal information can be worth a pretty penny in shady online marketplaces.

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How to stop these scammers

To prevent fraud and protect your Apple ID, follow these steps:

1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This critical security feature adds an extra layer of protection to your Apple ID. Set it up by going to Settings > (your name) > Login and security on your iPhone or iPad, or Apple menu> System settings > (your name) > Login and security on your Mac.

2. Use strong passwords: Choose alphanumeric passwords instead of simple PINs. In public places, use biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID) and be careful when entering your password.

3. Enable protection against stolen devices: If you’re using iOS 17.3 or later, turn it on this feature for added security against theft.

4. Update your software: Regularly update the operating system and programs to ensure you have the latest security patches.

5. Do not click on suspicious links, use reliable antivirus software: If an email prompts you to click a link, don’t do it right away. Hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t look like Apple’s official site (or any site you trust), don’t click on it.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection of 2025 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

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6. Use a password manager: Create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts with a password manager.

7. Enable Find My: Turn on Find my iPhone to help locate your device if it’s lost or stolen.

8. Use the personal data deletion service: Consider using a service that finds and removes your personal information from data broker sites. These services can help reduce your digital footprint by making it harder for fraudsters to get your data to target you in the first place. Look for a service that offers automated deletions from hundreds of data aggregators and provides detailed deletion checks.

While no service promises to remove all of your data from the Internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of continuously removing your information from hundreds of sites over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

9. Don’t click on suspicious links: If an email prompts you to click a link, don’t do it right away. Hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t look like Apple’s official site (or any site you trust), don’t click on it.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your personal information, is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection of 2025 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

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How Apple Really Stretches

Apple will never email you password requests or threaten to lock your account. If there’s a real problem, you’ll usually get a notification on your trusted device or be asked to sign in directly to your Apple ID account page. Remember, Apple never asks for your password via email, phone or text. Always access your account through official Apple websites or apps.

Kurt’s background information

These scammers are getting smarter, but with a little know-how and caution, you can keep your Apple ID (and everything connected to it) safe and sound. Remember, if something feels off, trust your gut. If in doubt, go straight to Apple’s official website or call support. Keep your digital life safe and don’t let fraudsters take a bite out of your Apple.

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