There has been a rash of fake notices this week, supposedly from Apple, warning that “Your Apple ID was used to sign in to FaceTime, iCloud, and iMessage on an iPhone 5”. Hopefully, if you received one of these, you were quickly able to realize that these fake Apple alerts were spam, but just in case you weren’t sure, we are confirming that for you.
The fake Apple email starts out “Dear Customer, Your Apple ID ({your email address goes here}) was used to sign in to FaceTime, iCloud, and iMessage on an iPhone 5.”
Now, first of all, Apple would not send an email saying all the services that were accessed, and they wouldn’t say from what device the alleged access occurred.
The fake notice then goes on to say “If you have not recently set up an iPhone with your Apple ID, then you should change your Apple ID password. Learn More.”
Of course, “Learn More” and “change your Apple ID password” are linked to spam sites such as Canadian pharmacy sites, and in some case may be linked to fake Apple pages where you will believe you are changing your password, but really the bad guys are grabbing your password.
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And finally, if you look carefully, you will note that the sending address is not an Apple address at all.
Of course, if you get one of these and you don’t have an Apple ID, you’ll know right away. But just in case, don’t be taken in.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
Sorry, I failed to load the attachment pic . . . .
John
Sorry again . . . . . I can’t up load my screenshot
Hi
I asked the question and your intro seemed the most relevant.
I was suspicious of the attached message as a) I had not signed into my iPad,
b) I have not passed on my log-ons to any one else, and c) I don’t use iM or FT.
I hope the attached message may be of some use to demonstrate / educate.
thanks for the advices
John