Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Total Drive Scam - How to Protect Yourself
Total Drive Scam - How to Protect Yourself

The "Total Drive scam" is a deceptive scheme where scammers send fake "cloud storage full" alerts via email or text, frightening victims into paying for a third-party service called Total Drive to prevent data loss. Many users are duped into believing it is an official cloud upgrade for iCloud or Google Drive.

How the Scam Works

  • The Hook: You receive an urgent alert or email claiming your phone's storage is full and your photos or files are at risk of being deleted.
  • The Trap: The alert directs you to a fake website offering Total Drive storage, usually for an enticingly low introductory fee (e.g., $1.99).
  • The Hidden Costs: Once your card is linked, users frequently find themselves in hidden, recurring, and escalating subscriptions (sometimes charging them multiple times a month).
  • No Official Connection: Total Drive is not affiliated with Apple iCloud, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Never click links in alerts: Always verify storage warnings by manually logging into your official account (e.g., via the native settings on your iPhone/Android or via Apple iCloud or Google Drive).
  • Review your bank statements: Check for unauthorized or recurring charges from Total Drive.
  • Use official channels only: Never use third-party apps to upgrade iCloud, Google, or Microsoft storage capacity.

If You've Been Scammed

  1. Cancel the Subscription: Try to cancel the service via the Total Drive Portal.
  2. Contact Your Bank: If the company ignores cancellation requests or continues to charge your card, contact your credit card company or bank immediately to dispute the charges, block future payments, and potentially request a new card to break the billing cycle.
  3. Change Passwords: If you entered your main Google or Apple password on a fake Total Drive site, immediately log in to your official accounts and reset your passwords to prevent your accounts from being hijacked.
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