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If you get a frightening text message saying that your device will be locked, and includes me a phone number to call, should you call it or is it malware or has your iPhone been hacked? Getting such a scary message out of the blue can be unsettling, but panicking is the very last thing you should do.
You see, all scams work on the premise of fear. Your device will be locked . Your account will be locked . Your email will be deleted . Your phone will be locked . All these messages and similar others are designed to scare you into a panic. Do not panic. Someone is messing with you. Ignore the message. Delete it.
If You Get A Text Message That Says Your Device Will Be Locked, Should You Text Or Call Back?
Such scam messages usually include a number to text or call. And if you respond to that text, you are confirming to the spammer that you are a real person they can mess with. You will likely get more targeted spam or scam messages from them.
Do Not Click On Any Link In Such Messages
“Smishing” is the text version of an email phishing scam. Like phishing, smishing depends on you clicking a link in a spam/scam message from a hacker. Clicking on that link can result in malware being silently installed on your cell phone and identity theft, among others. If you see a link in a text message that says your device will be locked, do not click on it.
What To Do If You Get A Text Message That Says Your Device Will Be Locked
First things first, check to see if your iPhone or other cell phone is on a contract and you are defaulting on your contract. If that is the situation, call your carrier or wireless network operator to tell them about the message you received. They will confirm that they sent you the message or clarify that it isn’t from them. Carriers are aware of these scam and spam messages, though, and so will not likely send you some thing like that, so chances are that it wasn’t from them.
By all means, do not click on a link in any message whose source you cannot verify. It is better to be safe than sorry. Do not reply to the message. If you get an SMS saying that your device will be locked, do not call the number, or any included number, back. You can use your cell phone’s built-in anti-spam feature to block the sender, so they cannot reach you any more.
Most modern smartphones, whether it is an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Motorola Moto, Nokia, Sony, or some other Android brand, have some sort of blocking feature built in. Use it. Most will allow you to block the sender of a message. Some also come with a feature that allows you to both block and report the number as spam. Do it.
How To Block The Sender Of A Message On iPhone
- On your iPhone, open the Messages app
- Open the message that says your device will be locked
- Tap on the profile photo at the top
- Tap on the Info button
- On the next screen, tap on the phone number ,
- Tap on Block this Caller at the bottom of the next screen.
That sender is now blocked from sending you any more messages on your Apple iPhone.
How To Block The Sender Of A Message On Android
- On your Android phone, open the Messages app
- Open the message in question – the one that says your device will be locked
- Tap on the vertical dots icon at the top right corner of the app
- Tap on Details
- Tap on Block and report spam
That sender is now blocked from sending you any more messages on your Android phone. Note that because each individual Android brand modifies Android operating system to some extent, the procedure and nomenclature may differ slightly.
Do not forget: almost all scam messages trigger and depend on fear. The goal is to scare you and make you panic into acting and doing something stupid like replying, calling a number, or clicking on an unverified link. As long as you stay calm, you stand a better chance of not falling victim. So, if you get an SMS saying that your device will be locked, relax and take any, or all, of the above logical steps to address the issue.
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Author:Mister Mobility
Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004
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With an Apple ID, you can manage all of your Apple services, such as Find My, iCloud, Apple Music subscriptions, and more. It’s pretty easy to quickly control all your devices and services as long as you have your Apple ID.
Nevertheless, everyone has surely experienced login problems at some point, such as forgetting passwords or, in rare instances, the Apple IDs themselves. If you forget your Apple ID, it may become difficult to access all your Apple services.
Luckily, it’s possible to find a forgotten Apple ID via different methods, depending on whether or not you’re still logged in. So, keep reading to find out the easiest ways to find a forgotten Apple ID.
- How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID If You’re Still Logged In How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID on iPhones or iPads How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID on a Mac or Windows Device How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID If You’re Signed Out Check Apple’s iForgot Page Check Your Previous Emails from Apple
How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID If You’re Still Logged In
If you forget your Apple ID, retrieving it is easy if your device(s) is still signed in. To do this, you need to open the Settings app and locate your Apple ID using iCloud services.
Once you have the Apple ID address, you can use it to reset the password through the iCloud web page.
Below, we go into further depth on how to find a forgotten Apple ID on various devices.
How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID on iPhones or iPads
The steps listed below can be used to find a forgotten Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad that you are currently logged into:
- On your iPhone or iPad, launch the Settings application.
- Your name should show on the screen’s top. To access your Apple account and services, click on this.
- At the top of the page, under your name, is where you may see your Apple ID email address. You need to use this Apple ID email address to log in.
- Go to the iCloud online interface and change your Apple ID password if you still don’t know it.
How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID on a Mac or Windows Device
If you are presently logged in on your Mac device, proceed with the instructions below to find your forgotten Apple ID:
- On your Mac, select System Preferences by clicking the Apple logo.
- Your name and photo should be at the top. This indicates that your Mac is logged in with your Apple ID.
- To learn more, click Apple ID.
- You’ll see your Apple ID email address displayed in the left pane next to your account photo.
Your Apple ID email address should be visible if you have a Windows device and are signed into either iTunes or iCloud for Windows by opening both applications and going to the Account area.
How to Find a Forgotten Apple ID If You’re Signed Out
Sadly, if you’re not signed into the iCloud service on any of your devices, things become a little more difficult. This is due to the fact that you cannot access the email address through the iCloud settings portal and you’ll have to use other means to find the forgotten Apple ID.
If you aren’t signed in on any devices, we’ve discussed some ways to find a forgotten Apple ID below.
Check Apple’s iForgot Page
On Apple’s iForgot website , you could try searching to find a forgotten Apple ID. You’ll need to provide Apple with information like your first and surname names as well as your email address.
If the information is correct, you should get the choice of receiving an email with password-reset instructions or regaining access to your Apple ID by providing the answers to some security questions.
Check Your Previous Emails from Apple
It’ll be easy to reset the password and sign in to your Apple account once you find your Apple ID email address. To prevent similar problems in the future, feel free to switch your Apple ID email address to your main email.
In summary , it’s best not to forget your Apple ID but if it ever happens, now you know how to find a forgotten Apple ID. Just ensure to follow the instructions closely.
