We are constantly bombarded with scams—whether it’s fake emails, spam messages, scam phone calls, pop-up ads, unwanted calendar alerts, or gift card schemes. Scammers are clever and will try to manipulate us by tapping into our fears, curiosity, greed, vanity, or exhaustion. Their goal is to get us to do something that harms us—like giving away our money, sharing sensitive information, installing malware on our devices, or exposing our passwords and account details.
These scammers are very good at creating convincing messages. They often craft messages designed to alarm, disconcert, or rush us into reacting immediately. They hope we don’t stop to think first. If you ever get a message—email, phone call, pop-up— and you have a feeling that it might be a scam, it’s best to ignore it and move on. If something seems off, follow your instincts and be cautious.
Dealing with Scam Phone Calls
Many of us get frequent scam calls. These scammers often pretend to be from your bank, the IRS, or lottery officials. They might say you owe money or have won something. Sometimes they claim a family member is in trouble and needs bail money. And yes, they can “spoof” or fake the caller ID to hide their real number. It’s easy for scammers to change the number they appear to be calling from, making it tough to block them.
What’s the best way to handle these calls? If you don’t recognize the number, consider silencing or ignoring it. If you’re unsure who is calling, ask for their name and callback number. Look up the number independently online to verify if it’s legitimate. For official companies, use the contact info you already have saved—don’t trust the number they give you during the call.
Handling Fake Email Scams
Scammers send fake emails claiming things like:
- Your Apple ID is locked
- Your payment has been declined
- They’ve found your old password from a breach
- You’ve won a prize or sweepstakes
- Your device is infected with viruses
They try to make these messages feel urgent or scary to push you into reacting quickly. These emails often contain spelling mistakes, odd language, or suspicious links that don’t lead to legitimate websites. If you receive such an email, never click on any links or attachments. Instead, verify by logging directly into your account through the official website or app, not through the links provided.
Our devices—like Macs, iPads, and iPhones—warn us about password reuse and exposure, which helps protect us from these scams. Avoid reusing passwords across different sites, and change them if you suspect they may be compromised.
Special notice: Some scams include “sextortion” tactics, where scammers claim they have compromising videos or photos of you and threaten to share them unless you pay. These are scams; don’t respond or pay—just delete the message.
Be Careful with Website Pop-up Ads and “Virus” Alerts
Many websites pop up fake alerts claiming you have viruses or malware. These are scams designed to scare you into calling fake tech support or installing malicious software. Remember: websites and pop-up ads cannot scan your system without your permission. Never download or run any software from these pop-ups.
To stay safe, close these windows immediately. If you’re unsure whether your device has issues, run a trusted antivirus program or contact official support services directly.
Managing Spam Calendar Alerts
Sometimes, you get unwanted alerts or subscriptions for calendar events titled “Hacked!” or “Virus!” from unknown sources. You can remove these by deleting the suspicious calendars:
- On a Mac, open the Calendar app, find the calendar under “Subscribed,” right-click on it, and choose “Delete.”
- On an iPad, tap the Calendar icon, then the “Calendars” button, locate any suspicious “Subscribed” calendars, and delete them.
- On iPhone, do the same under the “Calendars” tab.
If you notice any unfamiliar calendars or entries, delete them promptly to stop receiving those alerts.
What’s the Best Action When You Suspect a Scam?
- Think carefully about what the message claims. Does it make sense?
- Be suspicious if someone asks for your passwords, authentication codes, or sensitive info—legitimate companies will never do this.
- Check the message for spelling or grammar mistakes. Official messages usually look professional and contain your real name.
- Examine links before clicking. Hover your mouse over the link (on Mac) or press and hold (on mobile) to see where it really goes. Don’t click if it looks suspicious or unfamiliar.
- Never open attachments or click on links in suspected scam emails.
- If in doubt, contact the company or person directly by using contact info from their official website or your account statements, not from the suspicious email.
- Turn off images that load remotely in your email app to avoid scammers tracking when you open messages.
- Do not click “unsubscribe” or reply to spam emails—they often confirm your email address is active and lead to more spam.
Remember: If a message looks suspicious, it’s safest to delete it. Ignore keep trying to stay cautious every time you encounter something that doesn’t seem right.
Protect Yourself and Stay Informed
Lastly, stay updated on how to recognize scams. Many tech companies, including Apple, provide guides on how to spot and avoid phishing, fake support calls, and other scams. Bookmark their official pages and review them periodically.
Example of a common scam bill:
- Fake sender email addresses
- Odd language or misspellings
- Payment links that aren’t from official sites
- Unusual requests or threats
Always verify the source independently—if something seems off, contact support directly through official channels.
By staying alert, being cautious with links and messages, and verifying information before reacting, you can greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to scams. Keep your devices and passwords secure, and when in doubt, take a moment to pause and investigate.
