User profile for user: Mohd_mustaqeem
Mohd_mustaqeem Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Stolen iPhone Lost Mode: Legitimate passcode request?

Dear Community,


I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to report a serious potential security issue involving Apple iCloud and device recovery protocols.

On February 1, 2025, my friend's iPhone 16 was stolen from the metro. We immediately enabled Lost Mode via iCloud and displayed a contact message with two mobile numbers. Two days later, I received a text message from a number which demands the device's 6-digit numeric passcode. This is highly suspicious, as the phone uses an alphanumeric passcode, not numeric.

Please advise:

  • Is this message legitimate from Apple, or a scam/phishing attempt?

Additionally, I have accessed the associated iCloud website. What immediate steps should I take to secure my own Apple devices and accounts?

Your prompt assistance is critical to prevent potential data breaches or further compromise. Thank you.



iPhone 15, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 2:14 AM

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User profile for user: Servant of Cats
Servant of Cats
User level: Level 8
37,583 points

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 3:11 AM

Do not interact with the scammer in any way.


Do not give the scammer your passcode. Do not give the scammer your Apple ID and Apple ID password. Do not take the phone out of Lost Mode, or remove it from the list of devices associated with your Apple Account. Do not click any link you may see in a scam message.


Do be on the lookout for further scam messages sent to any of the numbers that you told the phone to show on the Lost Mode screen.


Consider

  • Using Find My to request a remote Erase (see Support article). This cannot be undone. (Until the phone learns of the request, it is your passcode and/or Lost Mode that will be protecting the data on your phone.)
  • Reporting the theft to the police and to your carrier – and asking the carrier to blacklist the phone. Blacklisting will make the phone unable to receive cellular service from any carrier who honors the blacklist. You may want to wait on this a little while to give the phone a better chance of learning of any Lost Mode or Erase request.


If your iPhone or iPad was stolen - Apple Support


If you think the scammer might have learned your Apple Account password, change it (after having used Find My to request that the phone be put into Lost Mode).


If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Servant of Cats
Servant of Cats
User level: Level 8
37,583 points

Feb 4, 2026 3:11 AM in response to Mohd_mustaqeem

Do not interact with the scammer in any way.


Do not give the scammer your passcode. Do not give the scammer your Apple ID and Apple ID password. Do not take the phone out of Lost Mode, or remove it from the list of devices associated with your Apple Account. Do not click any link you may see in a scam message.


Do be on the lookout for further scam messages sent to any of the numbers that you told the phone to show on the Lost Mode screen.


Consider

  • Using Find My to request a remote Erase (see Support article). This cannot be undone. (Until the phone learns of the request, it is your passcode and/or Lost Mode that will be protecting the data on your phone.)
  • Reporting the theft to the police and to your carrier – and asking the carrier to blacklist the phone. Blacklisting will make the phone unable to receive cellular service from any carrier who honors the blacklist. You may want to wait on this a little while to give the phone a better chance of learning of any Lost Mode or Erase request.


If your iPhone or iPad was stolen - Apple Support


If you think the scammer might have learned your Apple Account password, change it (after having used Find My to request that the phone be put into Lost Mode).


If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

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Stolen iPhone Lost Mode: Legitimate passcode request?

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