I have received text saying my Apple ID has been blocked due to too many attempts. This is incorrect.I have been asked to log on to http:/ow.ly/T08LO. Is this OK or is it a scam.

Thanks for posting this. I've just got a text. I followed the link it said my Apple account was locked. It wanted name, address, dob, ph then all my bank details. I didn't give them. At that point I realised something was wrong.

I just received a text message from 855-211-3518 that reads:

APPLE: Apple ID associated with (my phone number) is locked. Reactivate your device at goo.gl/61oyME and update your account. User: (My FULL name, including middle name)

I didn't click the link. A Google search of the number that the text came from yields no results. My phone seems to be working fine, and I haven't made any failed login attempts that would trigger my ID being locked. I find it very disturbing that someone has my full name associated with my phone number. My middle name is very unusual, so it's not as if someone could have guessed at it by having seen my middle initial. Sure wish I could get a response from Apple, but when I called I was told by the recording that no reps were available and I need to call back later.

Yep, that's why I didn't click the link. Someone having my full name associated with my phone number just nags me though. This may sound far fetched, but I had a very negative experience with the manager of a Verizon store where I bought my 7 Plus from a month or so ago. I purchased the phone on a Saturday, and once I was back at my friend's house where I was staying, I discovered two things:

1. The iPhone would not pair via Bluetooth with my iPad Air, or my friend's MacBook Air. All OS's and iOS's involved were fully updated.

2. The iPhone knocked out the wifi network at my friend's home. Twice. It has done it 3 more times since then.

I was basically treated like a trespasser when I returned the following day. She didn't want to deal with my issue, and kept throwing me lame excuses, such as the iPad Air and MacBook Air (4 months old) being too outdated to pair with my phone. She also told me that it's impossible for an iPhone to knockout a wifi network, which I can assure you is absolutely false. I've seen it happen 5 times. After refuting each of her silly excuses, and her making no offer to bring another iPhone 7 Plus out to test, she got testy with me and claimed that I was being rude and needed to leave the store.

I reported her to Verizon, via twitter PM. She's probably been fired since, and she's the only one that I can think of that would have my full name associated with my number. We did not part on good terms. I never raised my voice or used offensive language, but I did tell she was a joke as a manager. Am I reaching too far with this theory?

I really appreciate the responses from everyone.

I must respectfully disagree with you on your comment. The 5S that I owned before connected to my iPad, no problem. The MacBook Air would recognize the iPhone 7 Plus and send it a code to pair, but it failed to connect every time I entered the code.

The odd thing about this 7 Plus is that even though it doesn't appear to recognize the iPad via Bluetooth, it will airdrop photos and video. That's all I was actually needing.

The blitzing that knocks out the wifi network is another matter entirely. When it first happened, there were multiple devices using the network, including a Sony Blu-Ray player (with apps), iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy, MacBook Air, iPad Air, and my 7 Plus. For 15 minutes or so nothing could access the Internet. On a hunch, I turned the wifi off on the 7 Plus and everything immediately came alive. IM's went out and came in. Facebook updated. Apps on the Blu-Ray player began working. I've witnessed this happen 4 more times since then.

It's really bizarre. A device that can shutdown a wifi network could effectively be used as a weapon of sorts, without the owner of the device even aware of what's going on. I'm not an "expert" at networking, but I've set wifi networks up for family and friends for at least 15+ years now. I've never seen anything like it.

Scam, do not reply. Try resetting Safari, perhaps unnecessary but little to lose by doing so. Close Safari completely from the multitasking window by double clicking the Home button and swiping up the Safari preview pane until it disappears from the screen. You may have to look for the Safari pane by scrawling to the left as there may be other panes there from other apps. Then go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Then do a forced restart. Hold down the Home and Wake/Sleep buttons at the same time for about 15-20 seconds until the Apple logo appears. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it comes up. You will not lose anything.

I have had a similar text, but mine is asking me to visit www.apple.web-auth.net to unlock my Apple ID, all due to unusual sign in attempts!? I got a new phone recently so thought it could be legit, but when I clicked the link it opens in Safari and a message appears to say that Safari can not open the page because the server cannot be found!?

There is a new TEXT going around, the reply address is ****ow.ly/U4JK302dkHE. This links to an internet address apple.account.verification.ans-secure.uk

Surprise surprise it asks you to enter all your personal details including credit card details and 3 digit security number. Page looks like official apple website but it is a phishing site. Beware

<Link Edited by Host>

Just got this didn't touch any of the links, logged in separately with no problem. SCAM

It is a scam.

The other, simpler way to tell is that it is not an Apple Site, all of which end in Apple.com

I can't speak to your Verizon experience, but with regards to the Bluetooth issue: An iPhone by design, will not connect to an iPad, or a Mac via Bluetooth.

I did not make any attempt at all on my accounts yesterday.

Thanks for the monitoring

Nana Berch

What would you do if you entered in this type of information by mistake?