If you get a pop-up on IPhone "from Apple" that tells you your appleid is locked and showing

[hlthe2b]

three simple steps to take, including downloading an Apple app, it is a scam. It came through despite my cell being doubly protected with Norton and Malwarebytes, so don't think this is an isolated issue. Of course, I was suspicious enough to Google it and find out that yes, it is a scam,, and to remind that Apple will not ask users to download an app (although that isn't strictly true, given all the recent updates, but still... )

It looked authentic enough and popped up when I was nowhere near any browser links nor on a questionable site, and given my redundant protections on this phone, I'm a bit disturbed to see this, so I thought I would pass it on. Should it happen to you, do not click on anything within the pop-up, do not go to your apps to check it, do not go to your settings to check anything until you have done a hard restart which will rid you of the pop-up. I did not get a photo of the pop-up, but described it sufficiently to send to Apple and the response was that it was under investigation.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. Thanks for the warning!

[hlthe2b]

2. You are quite welcome.

"stay (electronically) safe!"

[Baitball Blogger]

3. I received a time sensitive text that said I needed to update my credit card information

for cloud services. Now, it's true that I there was a change that requires updating, but I wondered what services from Apple required payment through a credit card when I don't usually make payments through an Apple service?

Does this sound legit?

[hlthe2b]

4. No. If in doubt contact Apple directly (phone) or through their website.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Thank you!