Let’s talk about something that was have been popping up in inboxes lately — those cryptic “Your Apple ID has been disabled” emails.
Like many people who have reached out to us, you may have received one that looks pretty legit and says something like, “Your Apple ID has been temporarily disabled. Please check your Apple ID information.”
Spoiler alert: it’s most likely a scam, and we’ll explain why.
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Apple ID Scam Email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Anatomy of a Fraud
So here’s how these scams work. You received an email that looks completely legitimate with the Apple logo and creates a sense of urgency, claiming that your Apple ID is in trouble. It will say something like, “If you do not verify your account within 48 hours, it will be permanently locked.” Oh, right? That’s exactly what they want you to think. So “click the button below to confirm as soon as possible.” They want you to click where it says “Go to Apple ID.”
Once you do, you’ll be directed to a fake Apple website designed to look almost identical to the real one. This fake site asks you to enter your username, password and other sensitive information, which scammers can then use to access your Apple account and potentially steal your personal information or buy without authorization.
Apple ID Scam Email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Let’s play detective and look for some red flags in these scam emails
Urgent language: They are trying to scare you into acting without thinking. Classic scam move.
Vague claims: “Missing or invalid data”? It’s deliberately vague to make you doubt yourself.
Lockout Threats: Nothing like a good threat to get your heart racing, eh?
Terms of service discussion: They throw this in to make it sound official, but it’s just smoke and mirrors.
Grammatical nonsense: Real Apple email is polished. Scammers? Not so much.
Suspicious sender address: Always make sure it’s really from @apple.com (spoiler: it probably isn’t). Every legitimate email from Apple comes from a domain ending in “@email.apple.com. As you can see from the scam email below, it’s from a fake email: mfrasier@wavecable.com, not Apple .
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Apple ID Scam Email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Why do scammers ask for your Apple ID?
You might be wondering, “Why are these scammers so obsessed with Apple IDs?” Well, there are several reasons:
- iCloud Gold Mine: Your photos, contacts and documents are valuable for identity theft or blackmail.
- Purchase potential: Stored payment information means they could ravage your money.
- Access to the financial account: Many people link their bank accounts to their Apple ID. Jackpot for hackers.
- Data deals from the dark web: Your personal information can fetch quite a price in shady online marketplaces.
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How to keep these scammers away
To prevent fraudsters and protect your Apple ID, follow these comprehensive steps:
1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This key security feature adds an extra layer of protection to your Apple ID. Set it up by going to settings > [your name] > Login and security on your iPhone or iPad or Apple menu> System settings > [your name] > Login and security on your Mac.
2. Use strong passwords: Opt for alphanumeric codes instead of simple PINs. When in public, use biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID) and be careful when entering your password.
3. Enable protection against stolen device: If you are using iOS 17.3 or later, turn on this feature for additional security against theft.
4. Keep your software up to date: regularly update your operating system and applications to ensure you have the latest security patches.
5. Do not click on suspicious links, use strong anti-virus software: If the email asks you to click a link, don’t do it right away. Hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t look like the official Apple website (or any website you trust), don’t click on it.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your personal information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
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6. Use a password manager: Generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts with a password manager.
7. Enable Find My: Get involved Find my iPhone to help locate your device if it’s lost or stolen.
8. Use the personal data removal service: Consider using a service that finds and removes your personal information from data broker sites. These services can help reduce your digital footprint, making it harder for fraudsters to obtain your information to target you in the first place. Look for a service that offers automated removals from hundreds of data aggregators and provides detailed removal verification.
While no service promises to remove all of your data from the Internet, a removal service is great if you want to continuously monitor and automate the process of removing your data from hundreds of sites continuously over a long period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
9. Do not click on suspicious links: If the email asks you to click a link, don’t do it right away. Hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t look like the official Apple website (or any website you trust), don’t click on it.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your personal information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Apple ID Scam Email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How Apple actually reaches out
Apple will never email you asking for your password or threaten to lock out your account. If there’s a real problem, you’ll usually get a notification on your trusted device or be prompted to sign in directly to your Apple ID account page. Remember, Apple will never ask for your password via email, phone or text message. Always access your account through official Apple websites or apps.
Kurt’s outdoor essentials
These scammers are getting smarter, but with a little knowledge and caution, you can keep your Apple ID (and all the good stuff associated with it) safe. Remember, if something seems suspicious, trust your gut. If in doubt, go straight to Apple’s official website or call their support team. Protect your digital life and don’t let those scammers take a bite out of your Apple.
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