Beware of iCloud Storage Scam Targeting Apple Users

Apple users are being warned about a scam that claims their iCloud storage is full and threatens to delete their photos and videos if they don't upgrade immediately. The scam emails, which can appear convincing, include a link to a phishing website designed to steal personal and bank details.

The emails often coincide with genuine messages from Apple, warning users that they have run out of storage and need to upgrade. However, the scam emails are designed to create a sense of urgency, with subject lines such as "We've blocked your account! Your photos and videos will be deleted on [date]."

Identifying the Scam

There are several variations of the scam, but most include a button to "update" or "manage" storage. The emails may also have poor spelling and grammar, and the sender's email address may look suspicious, with incorrect domains or extensions.

According to the UK consumer body Which?, "Every Apple user needs to know about this nasty scam doing the rounds." The organization has warned users to be cautious of emails that claim to be from Apple, especially those that create a sense of urgency or threaten to delete data.

Some scam emails may have subject lines such as "Your payment method has expired!… Your cloud service has been disabled" or "Payment failed for your Cloud storage renewal." If you receive an email like this, it's essential to be cautious and not click on any links.

What to Do

If you receive a suspicious email, do not click on any links or provide personal details. Instead, bin or ignore the email. You can report scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, and emails impersonating iCloud can be sent to reportphishing@apple.com and/or abuse@icloud.com.

To check your iCloud storage manually, go to Settings, then iCloud on your iPhone. If your storage is full and you want to buy more, click on the "Upgrade" button to access the genuine Apple service.

Remember, if you do hand over your account details by mistake, contact your bank immediately to minimize any potential damage.