Apple ID account holders targeted by double chance phishing email
Apple ID account holders need to be cautious of a sophisticated phishing camping targeting your Apple ID, personal information and credit card details.
REMEMBER: You will have an Apple ID if you have registered to use iTunes or many other Apple products. You don’t need to own an Apple iPhone or Mac to have an Apple ID.
The phishing email looks official and currently includes the subject line “Update your Apple ID account”. Other known subject lines include: “Please update your Apple ID”, “Please verify the email address associated [sic] with your Apple ID”, and “Your Apple ID has been Disabled for Security Reasons”.
Similar versions could also reference iTunes.
The email includes a link which, when clicked, takes you to a fake, but realistic looking Apple website asking you to sign in to your account.
An example of the phishing email: clicking the “Update Now >” link
will take you to a fake Apple sign in page
The first fake Apple web page
If you enter your account details they are immediately sent to the scammer, however this is a two-stage scam, and once you have entered your Apple ID and password it will continue, taking you on to a second fake page where you are asked for further information including your credit card details.
The second fake Apple web page, seeking extra information
The fake website has been customised to specifically target Australian Apple ID account holders and features a number of design details tailored to lure Australians, such as a field requesting Medicare Card numbers and Australian flag icons.
Some inconsistencies, such as the request for your “3D Secure” number or the placement of a Discover Credit Card logo (predominately US features), offer clues to suggest this is a fake page.
The most important indication that this is a scam is the assurance from Apple that they will not contact you seeking critical information via an unsolicited email.
If you need to log on to manage your Apple ID account or any other online service, source the website address independently of any such emails and type it directly into your browser.
Avoid phishing emails
Always be suspicious of unsolicited emails.
Do not click links or open attachments unless you are confident about the sender and information the email contains. The best advice is to simply delete the email.
If you are uncertain about the origin of any email you can always cross check the information by going independently to the company’s website or by calling them directly.
Apple customers also have the option of activating two-factor authentication for their Apple account.
Source : www.staysmartonline.gov.au