'Every Apple user needs to know about this nasty scam': Fake warnings tell users their iCloud data will be deleted but don't fall for this devious phishing trick

Date:
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:15:00 +0000

Description:
Fraudulent iCloud emails use urgency and imitation tactics to trick users
into revealing sensitive information through malicious links and deceptive interfaces.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Pro Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Fake iCloud deletion emails are pressuring Apple users into dangerous clicks Poor grammar in iCloud alerts remains a clear sign of fraud Clicking fake iCloud upgrade links can expose banking and personal data A wave of deceptive emails is attempting to pressure Apple
users into believing their iCloud data is at immediate risk of deletion,
using increasingly aggressive language to force quick reactions.

The messages often claim a user's storage limits have been exceeded or that
an account has been blocked, followed by threats that photos and videos will be permanently erased on a specified date. In some cases, recipients receive repeated follow-ups, including what appears to be a final warning stating, We have tried to contact you several times before all your data will be completely deleted. Article continues below You may like A devious new Apple Pay scam is hitting millions heres how to stay safe Hackers target LinkedIn accounts with devious new phishing attack Beware, hackers have hijacked OpenAIs 'invite your team' feature to break into your business What the scam email looks like Warning of the scam, UK consumer body Which? said, Every Apple user needs to know about this nasty scam doing the rounds.

These sneaky fake emails that look like theyre from iCloud and threaten you with claims that all your photos will be deleted.

One of the scam emails seen by The Guardian says, Weve blocked your account! Your photos and videos will be deleted on [date]. It is headlined iCloud Storage Alert and goes on to say: Storage limit reached your iCloud account has reached its maximum storage capacity.

Others read, Your payment method has expired! Your cloud service has been disabled, or Payment failed for your Cloud storage renewal. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get
all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The timing of these emails can make them appear plausible, especially when they arrive alongside legitimate storage notifications.

However, the email structure typically follows a predictable pattern an alarming claim, a deadline, and a call to action all designed to bypass scrutiny.

It usually includes a button or link claiming to offer an easy update to tackle the situation but redirects users to fraudulent pages. What to read next 'macOS is becoming a more attractive target, and the tools attackers use are becoming more capable and more professional': Experts warn 'convincing' fake CleanMyMac installs target Apple users to empty crypto wallets LastPass warns users of new phishing campaign sending out fake support messages LastPass warns of scam using fake email chains spoofing account hacking 'to draw attention and generate urgency' in users

These pages are designed to extract sensitive data, and users can unknowingly hand over personal and banking information, which may then be used for unauthorized transactions or identity theft and distributed through illicit channels.

The initial interaction may appear harmless, but it opens pathways for additional security risks, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple accounts.

Despite the convincing tone in the message, these phishing emails frequently contain inconsistencies that reveal their origin - for example, the sender address often includes unusual domains that do not align with Apples infrastructure, with some referencing unrelated regions or obscure domain extensions.

Grammar issues remain another persistent flaw, with phrases such as Your account may expires today indicating a lack of authenticity.

The presence of familiar branding and interface design on phishing pages can delay suspicion, making it more difficult for users to recognize the
deception until after information has already been submitted.

While a good antivirus program could help in this situation, avoiding interaction with suspicious emails remains the most effective response a single click can escalate risk levels.

Users are also advised to verify storage status directly through device settings rather than relying on email prompts.

Reporting such emails helps limit their spread, while maintaining updated security practices, including a properly configured firewall , reduces the likelihood of broader system compromise. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/every-apple-user-needs-to-know-about-th is-nasty-scam-fake-warnings-tell-users-their-icloud-data-will-be-deleted-but-d ont-fall-for-this-devious-phishing-trick


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