What is a "Rescue Email Address?"

Question

Level 4

1,418 points

What is a "Rescue Email Address?"

I just received an email that looks like it's from Apple. The from address is appleid@id.apple.com. It reads,

"

Thank you.

You’ve taken the added security step and provided a rescue email address. Now all you need to do is verify that it belongs to you.

The rescue email address that you gave us is ....(removed) Just click the link below to verify, sign in using your Apple ID and password, then follow the prompts.

Verify Now >

Problem is, I don't remember providing a rescue email address, and the email address (removed) is my primary email address for my Apple ID. I am afraid to click the "Verify Now" link, because this might be a phishing attempt to steal my Apple ID. What is a "Rescue Email Address," and what is going on here?

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4), 8 x 2.8 GHz 10 GB RAM, Radeon 4870

Posted on May 21, 2012 8:59 AM