iPhone users across the UK are being warned about a sophisticated new scam that hijacks their device's calendar, with a leading consumer expert appearing on national television to explain the vital steps for protection.
How the iPhone Calendar Scam Works
Alice Beer, a respected consumer champion, detailed the fraud during an appearance on ITV's This Morning on Thursday 20 November. The scam begins when users inadvertently grant access to their calendar, often by clicking a deceptive link.
Once the fraudsters have access, they flood the calendar with numerous green notifications. These alerts falsely claim that the user's storage is full and urge them to click a link to purchase additional storage space, leading them to a fraudulent payment page.
How to Protect Your iPhone
Alice Beer provided clear advice for anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim to this scam. The immediate action is to remove the suspicious calendar subscriptions that are causing the spam notifications.
After cleaning the calendar, she strongly advises users to take two further steps to ensure their device's security. First, rerun all available software updates to patch any potential vulnerabilities. Second, perform a complete shutdown of the iPhone, not just putting it to sleep, to fully reset its systems and clear any temporary malicious code.
Staying Vigilant Against Digital Fraud
This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the evolving tactics used by cybercriminals. The exploitation of a built-in, trusted app like the calendar demonstrates a shift towards more subtle social engineering attacks.
By remaining sceptical of unsolicited notifications and following expert guidance, users can significantly reduce their risk of falling prey to such cybersecurity threats.
