‘We Don’t Recognize the Device You’re Using’ Apple ID Phishing Scam

The email is not from Apple. It is a phishing scam designed to steal Apple account login credentials and credit card details.

According to this email, which claims to be from ‘Your Apple Team’, and includes the Apple logo and copyright notice, the company does not recognize the device that you are using with your Apple ID. It suggests that, to continue, you need to verify your account by clicking an ‘Unlock Apple ID’ link.

However, the email is not from Apple and you don’t need to click an unlock link to as claimed. In fact, the email is a phishing scam designed to steal your Apple ID, your credit card numbers, and other personal information.

If you click the ‘unlock’ link, you will be taken to a fraudulent webpage that closely mirrors the appearance of Apple’s genuine Apple ID login page. If you login on the fake page, you will be taken to a second fake page that asks you to input your credit card numbers, your name and address details, and other personally identifying information. After supplying the requested information, you may receive a final message stating that you have successfully unlocked your account.

But, alas, all if the information you supplied on the fraudulent website can be harvested by cybercriminals and used to hijack your Apple account and commit credit card fraud and identity theft.

Apple phishing scams like this one continue to be very common. Be wary of any message that claims that there is a problem with your account or an account update is required and you must therefore click a link or open an attached file. Always login to your Apple account by entering the address into your browser’s address bar or via a genuine app.

The Apple website includes information about detecting and reporting such phishing messages.