Has your iPhone been stolen?:Government warning! Beware of messages like, ‘Your phone has been found’ – you could lose money; this is a cyber scam

Imagine, someone’s iPhone, worth lakhs of rupees, being stolen. After reactivating their SIM, they receive a message- ‘Your iPhone has been found.’ The message asks them to click on a link and enter their details to get the phone back. Hoping to recover the phone, the person enters their information. But within a short while, money is deducted from their bank account. This is not a story; it is real. It is happening. In fact, cybercriminals are using this method to target iPhone users. In recent days, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an alert about this type of fraud. That is why today, in ‘Cyber Literacy’, we will understand this scam in detail. We will also learn- Question-What kind of fraud do scammers commit after an iPhone is stolen or lost? Answer-Scammers use several methods to target the phone’s owner, such as: Question-Why has the government alerted iPhone users about this scam? Answer-Scammers can send fake messages/links to the owners of stolen or lost iPhones and defraud them by obtaining sensitive details such as their Apple account information, password and OTP. Therefore, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has issued an alert about this scam. Question-How do scammers find out that a person’s iPhone has been stolen or lost? Answer-There can be several ways, such as- Through social media posts Through Lost Mode Through Phishing and Data Leaks Scammers can obtain the phone owner’s number and email address through personal details available online or leaked data. Note: In every case, scammers do not already know that a phone has been stolen. At times, they send such fake messages to large numbers of people and wait for the right person to fall into the trap. Question- How do scammers reach victims after their phones are stolen? Answer- Scammers can reach victims through their mobile numbers or available personal details. See how it works in the graphic- Question- How can the message saying, ‘Your iPhone has been found’ actually be a cyber-fraud trap? Answer- Understand it through these pointers- Question – How do scammers carry out this scam step by step? Answer – Understand it through the graphic: Question- Why do scammers want to obtain the Apple account password and OTP? Answer- This allows scammers to log in to the account and change the security settings linked to the device. They can disable the device-tracking option and steal the personal data stored in the account. Question- What kind of damage can scammers cause after obtaining the Apple account details? Answer- Scammers can disable the ‘Find My’ feature, track the phone and resell it. See all the risks in the graphic- Question – Does Apple ever ask for a password, OTP or device passcode via SMS, a call or email? Answer – No, Apple never asks for your account password, OTP, two-factor authentication code or device passcode via SMS, a phone call or email. Question – How can you identify a fake message? Answer – Fake messages can be identified through a few simple signs: Question: How can you identify a fake link or counterfeit Apple website? Answer: Understand it through these pointers: Question – What should you do if you receive a message saying, “Your iPhone has been found” or “View location”? Answer – First, verify the message and check the iPhone’s information only through official channels. Also, keep a few things in mind: Question: What steps should be taken first as soon as an iPhone is stolen or lost? Answer: Take the necessary steps immediately to secure your account and SIM. See all the actions in the graphic: Question: Should a stolen iPhone ever be removed from ‘Find My’? Answer: No. Removing the device from the account can disable Activation Lock. This could make it easier for the thief to reactivate or sell the device. Use Lost Mode first and remotely erase the device if necessary, but do not remove it from ‘Find My’. Question: When should the Apple Account password be changed after the phone is stolen? Answer: The Apple Account password should be changed as soon as possible after the phone is stolen or lost. Question- What should you do immediately if you have given your Apple account password or OTP to a fake website or scammer? Answer- First, change your Apple account password immediately and check the devices linked to the account and its security settings. If banking or payment-related information has also been shared, inform the relevant bank immediately. Report any suspicious activity to the cyber helpline number 1930. Question- Which iPhone settings can reduce the risk of this kind of fraud? Answer- Understand it through the following pointers- Question: What are the seven essential rules to follow to avoid this kind of fraud after an iPhone is stolen? Answer: Keep these seven points in mind to protect your device and account: Question: If money or account details are lost in this scam, where and how should a complaint be filed? Answer: Understand it through these pointers: