Phishing on iPhone: fake texts and calls
Phishing is a message designed to trick you into handing over a password, a code, or money. On a phone it arrives as texts, calls, and pop-ups, and spotting it is a skill anyone can learn.
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How it reaches you
Common ones include a text about a missed delivery asking you to pay a small fee, a message claiming to be your bank warning of fraud, and a call that says it's from Apple or HMRC. The link or number in these leads to a fake page or a scammer, not the real company.
The tell-tale signs
Common warning signs to watch for:
4 steps
What to do
Don't tap the link, call the number, or read out any code. If it claims to be a company you use, contact them yourself using the number on their official website or the back of your card. Your bank will never ask you to move money to a safe account, and Apple will never phone you out of the blue about a security problem.
If you did click or share a code
Change the password for any account involved and turn on two-factor. If you shared a bank code or made a payment, call your bank straight away. Acting quickly gives the best chance of limiting the harm.
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