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Scam or legit Apple e-Mail?

I just received an e-mail from (supposedly) Apple.


It reads as follows;


"A recovery contact has been added to your account.


Recovery contacts can help you regain access to your account when you forget your password or device passcode.


If you didn’t add anyone, review and remove any unauthorized recovery contacts from your account as soon as you can.


To manage your recovery contacts, go to Password & Security > Account Recovery on your iOS or macOS device.

Apple Support


(Links to Apple support)"



The problem is, there is no Password & Security > Account Recovery (checked both my Mac and iPad running the latest updates).


Should I be concerned?

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Oct 15, 2024 1:08 PM

Reply
3 replies

Oct 15, 2024 1:59 PM in response to MyApple8MyPC

Here's about recovery contacts. It does mention that menu structure: Set up an account recovery contact - Apple Support


If you are not seeing the structure and you are using ScreenTime, it is possible you have blocked it.


Did you invite a recovery contact? If not, fraudsters are getting very good at imitating Apple messages and sometimes the only indication in an email is very subtle. Have a look at this thread. Someone registered an Apple ID with my em… - Apple Community It can be very hard to tell from an email alone if it is authentic. The best way to check is to use an independent way through Apple's own resources to confirm what the communication claims. Scams (e-mail, text messages, and phone calls) are getting very good at closely imitating true Apple communications. Always be cautious. These support articles have some guidelines:


About identifying legitimate emails from the App Store and iTunes Store --> Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support


Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support


Avoid scams when you use Apple Cash --> Avoid scams when you use Apple Cash - Apple Support


About Gift Card Scams --> About Gift Card Scams - Official Apple Support


If you are uncertain about a message and a resource provided in that message, do not click on any links in the message. Try to use an Apple resource you know is valid to independently verify what the message is claiming. Go to a support article page on apple.com and use the instructions in the article to verify though Apple itself, or use an Apple device feature such as Settings or an Apple app. To ask Apple start at this web page: Official Apple Support


- Apple e-mails address you by your real name, not something like "Dear Customer", "Dear Client", or an e-mail address* However, having your actual name is not proof this isn’t phishing. Compromised databases may have your name and address in them.

- Apple e-mails originate from @apple.com or @itunes.com but it is possible to spoof a sender address. "Apple email related to your Apple ID account always comes from appleid@id.apple.com." - About your Apple Account email addresses - Apple Support

- Set your email to display Show Headers or Show Original to view Received From. Apple emails originate from IP addresses starting with "17.".

- Mouse-over links to see if they direct to real Apple web sites. Do not click on them as this just tells the spammer they have a working e-mail address in their database. If you are unsure, contact Apple using a link from the Apple.com web site, not one in an email.

- Phishing emails may include account suspension or similar threats in order to panic you into clicking on a link without thinking. They may report a fake purchase in order to infuriate you into rashly clicking on a false link to report a problem. March 2018 post by Niel There was a fraudulent order on my apple … - Apple Community - "Emails saying that your Apple ID has been locked or disabled are always phishing. If one actually gets disabled, its owner will be told when they try logging into it instead of through email."

- Apple will not ask for personal information in an e-mail and never for a social security number.

- Scams may have bad grammar or spelling mistakes.

- Apple will not phone you unless it is in response to a request from you to have them call you.


* Exception: I got email saying my ID is expired! Does… - Apple Community


Forward email attempts as an attachment (in MacOS Mail use the paperclip icon) to: reportphishing@apple.com then delete it.


If this is with regard to a supposed purchase, this Apple article --> If you see 'apple.com/bill' on your billing statement - Apple Support has relevant information and web links for checking if you really have made a purchase or paid for a subscription. Purchases made under Family Sharing might be charged to the organizer's card but will not appear under the organizer's purchase history or subscriptions. Ask family members about those or check your receipts. Apple will email a receipt to the Family Organizer if a purchase is made on a card held by the Family Organizer. This will have the Apple ID of the purchaser, which you should recognize, but won't have specific about what was purchased.


Read this link "If you think your Apple ID has been compromised" --> https://support.apple.com/HT204145


Also make sure you are using "Two-factor authentication for Apple ID" --> https://support.apple.com/HT204915








Oct 15, 2024 1:22 PM in response to MyApple8MyPC

On your iOS device, the link should be Settings > [name on top] > Password & Security > Account Recovery.

On the Mac it is  > System Settings > [name on top] > Sign in & Security > Account Recovery.


If you are using beta software as the MacOS 15.1 suggests, then you may not see the same thing. You may also see unexpected behavior and that is normal with any beta.

Scam or legit Apple e-Mail?

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