Is an email saying my iCloud account was logged into from a different country a scam?
It may be a scam phishing email designed to look like an Apple security alert. Check your actual account directly, not through the email link.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Apple does send genuine security alerts for new sign-ins to Apple ID accounts, but fraudsters create near-identical phishing emails to trick you into entering your credentials on a fake Apple page. These emails are among the most convincingly designed phishing messages in existence. The key distinction is the link destination: Apple's genuine emails direct you to accounts.apple.com, never to third-party domains. If you receive such an email, do not click any link in it. Instead, go directly to appleid.apple.com in your browser, sign in, and check recent activity under 'Security'. If there is a genuine unfamiliar sign-in, you can revoke access there. Always enable two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorised access even if your password is compromised.
Common red flags
- Email contains a link that does not lead to appleid.apple.com or apple.com
- Message creates urgency — your account will be locked in 24 hours
- Sender email address is not from apple.com
- Link in the email requests your Apple ID and password
What to do now
- Do not click any link in the email
- Go directly to appleid.apple.com and check your sign-in activity
- Change your Apple ID password and enable two-factor authentication if you are concerned
- Report the phishing email to Apple at [email protected]
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell a real Apple security email from a fake one?
The safest approach is to ignore the email entirely and check your account directly at appleid.apple.com. Genuine Apple alerts will also appear within the Apple ID section of your device settings.