Beware of “Your Lost iPhone Has Been Found” Messages: A New Phishing Scam Targeting Apple Users

Losing your iPhone is always stressful. It’s not just about losing an expensive device — your personal data, photos, messages, and accounts may all be at risk. After the initial panic, most people hope that an honest person will find and return their phone. Unfortunately, scammers are now exploiting that hope through a new phishing scheme designed to steal your Apple ID.

Fake Messages Claim Your iPhone Has Been Found

Cybercriminals are sending SMS or iMessage notifications that appear to come from Apple. These messages claim your lost iPhone has been located — often including specific details such as the model, color, and storage capacity of the device.

A typical message reads:

“We are pleased to inform you that your lost iPhone 14 128GB Midnight has been successfully found.”

It then includes a link, supposedly to view the device’s location:

“To see the current location of your device, please click the link below.”

However, instead of directing you to Apple’s official Find My page, the link takes you to a fake login page designed to look identical to Apple’s website. Once you enter your Apple ID and password, the credentials are sent straight to the attackers.

The Real Goal: Disabling the Activation Lock

The scam’s main objective isn’t just to steal your login details — it’s to remove the Activation Lock. This security feature ties every iPhone to its owner’s Apple ID, preventing anyone else from erasing or reselling the device.

Once scammers gain access to your Apple ID, they can disable the lock, making stolen iPhones functional again — and profitable on the black market.

How to Protect Yourself

If you ever lose your device or receive a suspicious message, follow these key steps to stay safe:

1. Never click on suspicious links.
   Apple will never ask you to verify your identity or enter credentials through a text message or third-party site.

2. Activate Lost Mode immediately.
   If your device goes missing, use the Find My app or iCloud.com/find to put your iPhone in Lost Mode.

3. Display contact info safely.
   On your lock screen, show a dedicated email address (not your personal one) so that a genuine finder can reach you.

4. Keep the Activation Lock enabled.
   This prevents your iPhone from being erased or reactivated without your permission.

5. Protect your SIM card with a PIN code.
   This helps prevent your phone number from being misused or cloned.

Stay Vigilant

These phishing scams prey on your emotions and urgency when your phone is lost. Always verify the sender’s address and domain before taking any action.
Remember: Apple will never send you messages with external links requesting Apple ID credentials.

If you receive a suspicious message, report it directly to Apple at reportphishing@apple.com and delete it immediately.