You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Scam?

Hi I got an email today saying that my Apple ID has been locked due to someone trying to sign in to my account from a different IP address. The email contains a pdf called aspw, which I have not opened. I suspect this is a scam so have changed my password. How can I tell if the email is from a genuine source?

Posted on Jul 22, 2020 7:46 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 22, 2020 7:56 AM

Onionbum wrote:
How can I tell if the email is from a genuine source?

Without even viewing the email, since it has an attachment, I can say it is a SCAM. You can consult these two Support Articles for further verification:

  1. Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support
  2. Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 22, 2020 7:56 AM in response to Onionbum

Onionbum wrote:
How can I tell if the email is from a genuine source?

Without even viewing the email, since it has an attachment, I can say it is a SCAM. You can consult these two Support Articles for further verification:

  1. Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support
  2. Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

Jul 22, 2020 8:31 AM in response to Onionbum

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 emails won't have poor grammar/misspellings. 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.



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

Scam?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.