I received and email saying that my apple account will be locked

It is a phishing attempt. Do not respond to, or otherwise act on the email.

Phishing & Other Suspicious Emails

Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Fake.

Scams (e-mail, text messages, and phone calls) are getting very good at closely imitating true Apple communications. Always be cautious. Here are some guidelines:

Identifying legitimate emails from the iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/HT201679 - lacking in specifics, the next link is better:

Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - https://support.apple.com/HT204759

- Apple e-mails address you by your real name, not something like "Dear Customer", "Dear Client", or an e-mail address*.

- Apple e-mails originate from @apple.com or @itunes.com but I think it is possible to spoof a sender address

- 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.

- 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. Mar 2018 post by Niel https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8311239?answerId=33129140022#33129140022 - "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.

* Exception: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8483395?answerId=33701414022#33701414022

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

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/cybercrime/2018/02/panic-attack-apple-scams-apply- pressure/

it's totally fake

Apple will NEVER say "dear client" or either you at your email dot whatever.

they also wont send you anything like this.

If you received an email claiming to be from Apple Computer with charges you do not recognize or with requests to provide or change personal information DO NOT click on any links or respond to it.

Avoid phishing emails, fake ‘virus‘ alerts, phony support calls, and other scams

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht204759

Change your password.

Apple ID Password Change

What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support I suggest doing this before you change your Apple ID or password.

This is a randomly sent message, so I don't think there's actually any necessity to change your password - there's no suggestion these people have it (and changing it won't stop this sort of email arriving. However you may feel it's worth doing for peace of mind - it can certainly do no harm as long as you follow this procedure:

1. Before doing anything, turn off 'Find my iPhone/iPad/Mac' on any devices it's enabled on.

2. Sign out of iCloud on all your devices. On a Mac, System Preferences>iCloud and click 'Sign out'. On an iOS device, Settings>iCloud and click 'Delete account' (this will not delete the account from the server) or Sign out' as applicable. Your iCloud-synced data will disappear from your device. If offered the opportunity to save it on your Mac, don't.

3. Go to http://appleid.apple.com, sign in and click 'Password & Security' in the sidebar. Answer the security questions, if set, and then click 'Edit' next to the password field. Save.

4. Sign back in on all your devices. Your data will re-appear (give it time). You can now re-enable 'Find My...'.

5. I reiterate, before you start, turn off 'Find My...' or you will need the services of Support.