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I just received an email stating my Apple lD had been used to make purchase. How can I tell if this is a legitimate email from Apple or just a scammer?

I just received an email stating my Apple ID has been used to make a purchase, telling me to click the receipt to cancel the order if I didn't place it. This looks suspicious and I don't know how to tell if this email is legitimately from Apple.


Posted on Dec 24, 2019 9:47 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 24, 2019 11:43 AM

has your credit card been charged? Are you sure the message is legitimate? Does it contain a link for you to sign in somewhere? It may be a scam. Check your purchases history.


 Purchase History Review


Apple won't send you an email/text telling you your account is disabled/restricted  or will be disabled/restricted. You will find out the next time you try to log in somewhere.


Apple will always address you by your name or the name they have on file for you, not Dear Customer, Dear Client or by using your e-mail address.  The e-mail will be from @apple.com or @iTunes.com. E-mail addresses can be spoofed. You can go to Mail/View/Message/Show all Headers to see more. Apple e-mails will never contain an attachment. Apple will never request personal information by email such as Social Security numbers, your Mother’s maiden name or full credit card numbers .


The only exception to the above I have noticed is if you order something from the Apple Store (apple.com), your receipt will be addressed to Dear Apple Customer. That is a receipt for a purchase you initiated.


Avoid phishing emails, fake ‘virus‘ alerts, phony support calls, and other scams


Identifying legitimate emails from the iTunes Store


Send the e-mail to Apple as an attachment to a new e-mail before deleting it. You can forward as an attachment by going to Mail/Message/Forward as attachment. Or control - click on the email and select Forward as attachment. Make sure you send it as an attachment to a new email. If you just forward it, it will probably be rejected. You won’t receive a response.


reportphishing@apple.com

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 24, 2019 11:43 AM in response to lisacell

has your credit card been charged? Are you sure the message is legitimate? Does it contain a link for you to sign in somewhere? It may be a scam. Check your purchases history.


 Purchase History Review


Apple won't send you an email/text telling you your account is disabled/restricted  or will be disabled/restricted. You will find out the next time you try to log in somewhere.


Apple will always address you by your name or the name they have on file for you, not Dear Customer, Dear Client or by using your e-mail address.  The e-mail will be from @apple.com or @iTunes.com. E-mail addresses can be spoofed. You can go to Mail/View/Message/Show all Headers to see more. Apple e-mails will never contain an attachment. Apple will never request personal information by email such as Social Security numbers, your Mother’s maiden name or full credit card numbers .


The only exception to the above I have noticed is if you order something from the Apple Store (apple.com), your receipt will be addressed to Dear Apple Customer. That is a receipt for a purchase you initiated.


Avoid phishing emails, fake ‘virus‘ alerts, phony support calls, and other scams


Identifying legitimate emails from the iTunes Store


Send the e-mail to Apple as an attachment to a new e-mail before deleting it. You can forward as an attachment by going to Mail/Message/Forward as attachment. Or control - click on the email and select Forward as attachment. Make sure you send it as an attachment to a new email. If you just forward it, it will probably be rejected. You won’t receive a response.


reportphishing@apple.com

I just received an email stating my Apple lD had been used to make purchase. How can I tell if this is a legitimate email from Apple or just a scammer?

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