Fraudsters are sending emails claiming that iCloud storage is full or nearly full, tricking users into clicking on malicious links that can expose bank and personal details, according to consumer group Which? The scam, which impersonates Apple’s iCloud service, has been flagged by the UK consumer body in a recent Facebook post warning users.
The emails often threaten that accounts have been blocked and that photos and videos will be deleted unless users upgrade immediately. Some messages include subject lines such as “We’ve blocked your account! Your photos and videos will be deleted on [date]” or “Your payment method has expired!… Your cloud service has been disabled.” The emails contain a button to “update” payment methods or “manage” storage, but clicking leads to a phishing website designed to harvest personal and financial information.
Which? described the scam as “nasty” and urged all Apple users to be aware. The scam can appear convincing because it may coincide with genuine Apple messages about storage limits. However, tell-tale signs include suspicious email addresses, such as those with “.biz.ua” domains, and poor spelling or grammar, like “Your account may expires today.”
Apple advises users to ignore such emails and not click on any links. If a link is clicked, users should not share personal details. Scam emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk, while iCloud-specific scams can be reported to reportphishing@apple.com or abuse@icloud.com. If account details are handed over, users should contact their bank immediately.
Users can check their iCloud storage manually on an iPhone by going to Settings, then iCloud. If storage is full and users wish to upgrade, they should do so directly through Apple’s official channels to avoid falling victim to the scam.
