What should I do if scammers access my iPhone?

scammers entered my phone through their ID and now ask for money to remove the owner's block. But my phone is original, there is packaging and all the evidence. What should I do? How to remove the block from the phone and enter from my ID on the iPhone 14



[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 7, iOS 15

Posted on Dec 25, 2024 08:03 AM

Reply
3 replies

Dec 25, 2024 08:05 AM in response to geghetsik210

If you feel an unauthorized person/app is remotely using, controlling or monitoring your device, then that is possible only if you have done one or more of the following Don'ts...


  1. Don't hand over an iPhone to kids or to a stranger without Enabling Guided Access
  2. Don't share Apple IDs
  3. Don't Jailbreak
  4. Don't share sensitive information pertaining to your device
  5. Don't give in to Phishing
  6. Don't plug in your device in Airports and Public places through third-party cables and trust the device. Beware of Juice Jacking. (Especially in India)
  7. Don't leave your iPhone unlocked and unattended in public places like offices, schools, malls, etc.


If one of the above is true then quickly change the Apple ID Password and Return iPhone settings to their defaults.



Keep the iPhone updated to the latest iOS always and never Jailbreak. That's it.


iOS / iPadOS devices cannot be hacked or infected with Virus / Malware / Spyware *** unless you have intentionally downloaded spurious software or unauthorized apps directly from the internet and installed them on your device or/and have Jailbroken


It (Hacking) also depends on how careful you are in sharing sensitive and valuable information pertaining to your iPhone such as Passcode, Password, etc with your friends and family members.


Be judicious when sharing the device's sensitive and valuable information with friends and family members.



**The primary reason for this is Sandboxing. All third-party apps are “sandboxed”, so they are restricted from accessing files stored by other apps or from making changes to the device. Sandboxing is designed to prevent apps from gathering or modifying information stored by other apps.


Security of runtime process in iOS and iPadOS - Apple Support



The sandbox on an iPhone is a security feature that creates a restricted environment for each app to run in isolation from other apps and the operating system. It is a core component of iOS's security architecture and plays a crucial role in making iPhones more secure.



If you doubt the authenticity of the information provided earlier, you have two alternatives:

  1. Report the hacking incident to local law enforcement authorities and actively pursue the case.
  2. Accept the credibility of the information; it is impervious to hacking. Just as some individuals hold unconventional beliefs, such as a flat Earth or moon landing denial, one has the freedom to believe in anything. The choice ultimately rests with you in this open and free world.




Dec 25, 2024 08:18 AM in response to geghetsik210

To be clear, it is not possible for a scammer to remotely enter their Apple ID on your phone. You would have had to remove your Apple ID, followed by entering your Password, then enter their Apple ID along with their password yourself.


Now that you did that, you have locked your phone to that Apple ID. Without the password to remove it, the only way to remove the Activation Lock is to provide the original purchase receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple seller, a third party receipt will not be accepted.

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


How did they talk you into entering their Apple ID onto your phone? You may want to review this article on avoiding these types of scams.

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

What should I do if scammers access my iPhone?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.