Yes, most of the time. Texts and emails claiming your Apple ID is locked, disabled, or needs “verification” lead to fake Apple sign-in pages that steal your password. A related version calls you after triggering a real Apple code request and asks you to read the code aloud — which hands them your account. Apple never asks for your password or verification codes by phone, text, or email.
What this scam looks like
Your Apple ID is a high-value target: it unlocks iCloud photos, backups, payment methods, and Find My (which crooks use to unlock stolen iPhones). So phishing here is relentless. The lure text/email warns of a locked account and links to a page that looks exactly like appleid.apple.com but isn’t. The phone version is scarier: after your phone or a stolen device triggers a genuine Apple verification prompt, a fake “Apple Support” agent calls and pressures you to share the code.
The rule that defeats all of it: a verification code is for you to type, never to tell anyone — and Apple will never call to ask for it.
Example is illustrative and de-fanged; links are shown broken so they can't be clicked.
Red flags to watch for
- A link that isn’t apple.com / appleid.apple.com — e.g. appleid-verify-support.com.
- Threats that your account will be “suspended” or “deleted” unless you act within hours.
- A caller claiming to be Apple Support asking for your password or a verification code.
- Any request to read out a code Apple just texted you — that code is the key to your account.
- Requests for your Apple ID password or card details by text, email, or phone.
What to do if you got one
- Don’t click the link or share any code. Check your account only by opening Settings → your name on your device, or typing appleid.apple.com yourself.
- If a caller claims to be Apple, hang up — Apple won’t call you unprompted about your account or ask for codes.
- Turn on two-factor authentication if it isn’t already, and use a unique password you don’t reuse elsewhere.
- Forward phishing texts to Apple at 7726 (SPAM) and suspicious emails to [email protected]; report to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Think your Apple ID may be compromised? Change the password immediately and review trusted devices. Unsure about a message? Paste it into GotAScam.
Frequently asked questions
Apple can lock an Apple ID for security, but it directs you to sign in through official Apple pages or your device settings — it never links from a text to an outside site or asks for your password or codes by message or phone.
No — that’s the attack. They triggered the code (often while trying to break into your account) and are calling to trick you into reading it back. Never share it; hang up and change your password.
Assume your password is compromised: change it immediately from a device you trust, enable two-factor authentication, and review the devices and sign-ins listed in your Apple ID settings.
Not sure about a message you got?
Paste the exact text, email, or screenshot into GotAScam and get a clear verdict — Likely Safe, Uncertain, or Likely Scam — backed by live threat intelligence. It's free, and no sign-up is required for text checks.