That Apple ID disabled message? It is a dangerous scam

Let’s talk about something that has been showing up in inboxes lately – those sneaky emails that say “Your Apple ID has been disabled.”

Like many people who have contacted us, you may have received one that looks pretty legitimate and says something like: “Your Apple ID has been temporarily deactivated. Please verify your Apple ID information“.

Spoiler alert: it’s most likely a scam and we’re going to explain why.

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The anatomy of the scam

So, this is how these tricksters operate. You receive an email that looks totally legitimate with the Apple logo and creates a sense of urgency, claiming that your Apple ID is in trouble. They’ll say something like, “If you don’t verify your account within 48 hours, it will be permanently locked.” Wow, right? That’s exactly what they want you to think. Therefore, you will need to “Click the button below to verify as soon as possible.” They want you to click where it says “Go to Apple ID.”

Once you do that, you will be directed to a fake Apple website designed to look almost identical to the real thing. This scam site asks you to enter your username, password, and other sensitive information, which scammers can use to access your Apple account and potentially steal your personal data or make unauthorized purchases.

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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 hustler move.

Vague statements: “Missing or invalid information”? That’s not clear on purpose to make you doubt yourself.

Lockout threats: Nothing like a good threat to get your heart racing, huh?

Terms of service chat: They say this to make it sound official, but it’s just smoke and mirrors.

Grammatical errors: Apple’s actual emails are polished. Scammers? Not so much.

Suspicious sender address: Always check if it’s really from @apple.com (spoiler: it probably isn’t). Any legitimate email from Apple will come from a domain that ends in “@email.apple.com. As you can see from the scam email below, it comes from a fake email: mfrasier@wavecable.com, not from Apple.

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Why are scammers after your Apple ID?

You may be wondering, “Why are these scammers so obsessed with Apple IDs?” Well, there are a few reasons:

• iCloud Gold Mine: Your photos, contacts and documents are valuable for identity theft or blackmail.
• Purchase potential: Stored payment information means they could spend a lot of money with your money.
• Access to financial account: Many people link their bank accounts to their Apple ID. Jackpot for hackers.
• Dark Web Data Offers: Your personal information can cost quite a bit of money in shady online marketplaces.

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How to keep these scammers at bay

To keep scammers at bay and protect your Apple ID, follow these complete steps:

1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This crucial 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 configuration > (Your name) > Login and security on your Mac.

2. Use strong passwords: Opt for alphanumeric passcodes instead of simple PINs. When in public, use biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID) and be careful when entering your password.

3. Enable stolen device protection: If you’re using iOS 17.3 or later, turn on this feature for greater security against theft.

4. Keep software up to date: Regularly update your operating system and applications to ensure you have the latest security patches.

5. Don’t click on suspicious links, use powerful antivirus 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 an official Apple website (or any site you trust), don’t click on it.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all of 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 antivirus protection winners of 2025 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 using one password manager.

7. Enable Find My: Light Find my iPhone to help locate your device if it is lost or stolen.

8. Use a 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 scammers to get your data to attack you in the first place. Look for a service that offers automatic deletions from hundreds of data aggregators and provides detailed verification of the deletions.

While no service promises to remove all of your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

9. Don’t 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 an official Apple website (or any site you trust), don’t click on it.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all of 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 antivirus protection winners of 2025 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

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How Apple really arrives

Apple will never send you an email asking for your password or threaten to lock your account. If there is a real problem, you will usually receive a notification on your trusted device or you will be asked to sign in directly to your Apple ID account page. Remember, Apple will never ask you for your password via email, phone, or text message. Always access your account through official Apple websites or apps.

Kurt’s Key Takeaways

These scammers are getting sneakier, but with a little knowledge and caution, you can keep your Apple ID (and everything good about it) safe and sound. Remember, if something seems suspicious, trust your instincts. If in doubt, go directly to Apple’s official website or call their support team. Keep your digital life safe and don’t let those scammers take a bite out of your Apple.

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