The email message below with the subject "Your ID is Locked at The Moment" is another attempt by cybercriminals to steal their potential victims’ Apple account credentials. The fake email has links in it that go to the phishing Apple website: "www.appleitismyaccount.com," 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 "Apple ID will be Locked" Phishing Scam
From: Apple service-083534002209529653077@Apple.com
Sent: Friday, February 8, 2019 8:07 AM
Subject: Your ID is locked at the moment.
Dear Customer,
During our regular update and verification of accounts, We could not verify your current information. Either your information has been changed or it is incomplete.
If account information is not updated to current information within 3 days, then, your account will be temporarily banned.
Resolve Now>
Click the link below to open a secure browser window.
Confirm that you're the real owner of the account,then follow the instructions.
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.