5 latest iCloud email scams and how to outsmart them

Fake iCloud emails are phishing attacks designed to trick you into clicking malicious links. They often include familiar branding and logos, and employ urgency tactics hoping you’ll hand over sensitive information without thinking. But falling for one of these scams could compromise your privacy, cause account issues, and even lead to identity theft.

Recently, for example, a woman in Charlotte lost thousands of cherished photos and videos and ended up having to deal with fraudulent charges for gaming apps after a scammer hacked her iCloud account.

If you’ve received an email about your iCloud account and you’re struggling to tell whether it’s a scam or a legitimate message from Apple, read on. In this article, we’ll cover five of the most common iCloud email scams, how to spot them, and what you should do.

1. iCloud “storage full” email scam

This iCloud scam starts with an email claiming that your storage is almost full, and urges you to click a link to upgrade your account, often “for free.” To push you into acting fast, the message may say your photos and files won’t upload anymore, or that you won’t be able to send or receive emails.

If you click the link in an iCloud storage scam email, it might send you to a fake Apple login page designed to steal your iCloud username and password. Alternatively, you might be prompted to enter your payment details and access to much more than just your iCloud storage.

Outsmart the scam: Don’t pay attention to suspicious emails claiming your storage is low. Check the amount of iCloud storage you have left manually by visiting the iCloud website and navigating to Settings > your name > iCloud > Storage. From there, if you want to purchase more storage, tap Change Storage Plan.

2. iCloud verification phishing emails

In this iCloud scam, you’ll receive a phishing email that claims your iCloud account has been temporarily disabled or suspended because certain information is missing, and that if you don’t update it, your saved device data will be lost. A link in the email will direct you to a fake site to verify your Apple ID.

While the email claims this is to prevent unauthorized access, the so-called missing information is really sensitive data that scammers can use to access your account and potentially steal your identity.

Outsmart the scam: Apple does not immediately disable Apple ID or iCloud accounts due to missing information. If your account is ever legitimately disabled, follow Apple’s official instructions to reactivate it.

3. iCloud payment confirmation scams

If you get a payment confirmation email for an iCloud purchase that you didn’t make, it could be a scam. These emails show fake charges for iCloud services you didn't purchase, hoping to incite enough panic to push you toward “Cancel Payment” or “Dispute Charge” buttons. But clicking one of those buttons will lead you to a fake Apple website that steals your login information when you try to "resolve" the fraudulent charge.

One Reddit user shared an example in which they were told they’d been charged $143.95, but the charge was “on hold” due to suspicious activity. The email even included a fake phone number and cancellation link to trick them into handing over their personal information.

Outsmart the scam: Legitimate iCloud purchase receipts include your current billing address, which scammers are unlikely to have access to. To verify the purchase, you can also view your Apple purchase history.

4. Fake Apple iCloud support emails

This form of phishing scam involves a fraudster posing as Apple Support in an unsolicited email. They might warn that your iCloud account is at risk or locked for security reasons, with links to “reset your password” and enter two-factor authentication (2FA) codes to unlock your account.

While the message may appear legitimate, including a fully branded email template and maybe even your name, clicking any links can give scammers direct access to your account and personal information.

Outsmart the scam: Apple will never ask for your password or verification codes in an unsolicited email. To access Apple Support, always go through verified official channels.

5. iCloud subscription renewal scams

In this iCloud scam, you receive an email claiming to be from Apple that warns you’ll lose access to your photos unless you renew your iCloud subscription. In other cases, the message says your subscription couldn’t be renewed because of a billing issue.

The email then provides instructions to “update” your payment details, along with a link to a fake website. If you enter your financial information or other personal data, scammers can use it for financial fraud or identity theft.

Although legitimate subscription issues do happen (especially after upgrading plans or switching to a Family or bundled subscription), if you’re unsure whether your account is active, don’t click links in an email. Instead, check your subscription status directly in your Apple ID settings or through Apple’s official website.

Outsmart the scam: Only renew or update your financial details through your device. Navigate to Settings > your name > Payment & Shipping.

How to tell if an iCloud email is real or a scam

It’s not always easy to tell if an iCloud email is trustworthy, but there are key red flags that can help you identify a scammer, as well as hallmarks that can help confirm that the message is legit.

Red flags of a scam email

When reviewing a suspicious email, watch out for these warning signs that it may not be legitimate:

• Suspicious sender address: Look for subtle misspellings or odd domains. A scammer’s email might come from “@apple.email.com” instead of the official “@apple.com” or “@icloud.com.”
• Shady links: Hover over any link before clicking. If the full URL in the preview looks suspicious, steer well clear.
• Typos or sloppy formatting: Compare the message to other Apple emails you’ve received. Inconsistent logos, design issues, or spelling mistakes can help you spot a fake email.
• Requests for login details: Apple will never ask you to enter your password or share 2FA codes through an unsolicited email.

Signs the email is legitimate

Here are the signs that indicate an iCloud email is actually from Apple:

• Official domains: Real emails typically come from addresses ending in @apple.com or @icloud.com (though spoofing can happen).
• Professional design: Apple’s emails are polished, consistent, and error-free.
• Personalization: You’re usually greeted by name, and purchase receipts often include your billing details.
• Relevant context: Apple will only contact you about services you actually use — not vague warnings about accounts you don’t recognize.

How to report an iCloud email scam

If you’ve received a message you suspect is an iCloud email scam, reporting it to Apple and the FTC can help aid in investigations and protect other users from these schemes.

Follow these steps to report an iCloud email scam:

1. Forward suspicious emails to reportphishing@apple.com.
2. Mark spam emails as Junk to help improve iCloud Mail filtering and reduce future spam if you have an @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com email address.
3. Report scam emails to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Keep your data floating out of scammers’ reach

iCloud email scams are just one example of how phishing attacks continue to evolve and flood inboxes. Cybercriminals are always refining their tactics to steal sensitive information — but you don’t have to face those risks alone.

As a LifeLock member, you’ll benefit from stronger protection with credit monitoring, identity alerts, and tools designed to help safeguard your personal data. And if a scammer does catch you off guard and manages to steal your identity, you’ll get restoration support from one of our experts. Protect your identity and your financial future with LifeLock today.

FAQs

Does iCloud send emails about storage?

Apple may contact you about your account, but it generally doesn’t send emails warning that you’re running out of iCloud storage. Messages claiming urgent storage issues are a common tactic used in scams.

What can someone do with your iCloud email address?

If someone has access to your iCloud email address, they can potentially use it for malicious purposes. For example, a scammer with your email address could send you phishing emails or attempt to guess the passwords of your linked accounts through credential stuffing attacks.

Can someone access my iCloud without me knowing?

Yes, if someone has your Apple ID and password, they could access your iCloud account. That said, Apple typically sends alerts for suspicious activity, and enabling multi-factor authentication makes unauthorized access far more difficult.

Can iCloud email scams affect my other Apple devices?

Yes, an iCloud email scam can affect your other Apple devices if your Apple ID is compromised. Since your Apple ID links your devices and services, account access could expose data across iCloud, iMessage, photos, and other Apple-connected devices.