The email message below with the subject "Your Apple Access Has Been Locked for Security Reason," is another attempt by cybercriminals to steal their potential victims’ Apple account credentials. The fake email has links in it that go to a phishing Apple website which steals account usernames and password. The phishing website steals account credentials by asking visitors to sign-in with their Apple account usernames and passwords. Now, any attempt to sign into the fake or phishing website will result in the visitors’ Apple account credentials being sent to the cybercriminals responsible for the scam. Once the cyber crooks have gotten possession of the stolen account credentials, they will use it to hijack their victims’ Apple accounts and use the same accounts fraudulently.
A Sample of the "Your Apple Access Has Been Locked for Security Reason" Phishing Scam
From: "гесονегу@аρρlе.сοm" <81Z6yVA4IJnoreply-egsiSVfV@notifications.icloud.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 2:24 AM
Subject: Υοuг Αррlе Αссеѕѕ Ηаѕ Вееn Lοсκеd Fοг Ѕесuгіtу Rеаѕοn #E4EK-VVW9
Apple Inc. STORE INVOICE Martinique
Bill To Ship To Invoice #
100324
Αρρlе ID
71 Pilgrim Avenue
Inνοісе Dаtе
3:24, 18 Jan 2018
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
P.O.# INVJASD-FESAD
Due Date 3:24, 18 Jan 2018 QTY DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE AMOUNT
1 Beast Solo 3 Wireless - GOLD 300.00 300.00
1 iTunes GiftCard $10 12.00 12.00
1 Storage іСlοud 25.00 25.00
1 Premium Hooq User 10.00 10.00
Subtotal 347.00
Shipping 1.0% 3.00
TOTAL $350.00
Apple users should never click on a link in an email message to sign into their accounts. They should instead, go directly to https://appleid.apple.com/ and sign-in from there. If there is something wrong with their accounts, they will be alerted after signing in. Users who were tricked by the phishing scam, are asked to change their Apple account passwords immediately before their accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently. For those users who are unable to change their passwords, are asked to contact Apple Technical Support for help.