$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Find My iPhone ransom scam
After compromising an Apple ID, scammers use Find My to remotely lock the victim's iPhone or Mac and display a ransom message demanding payment to unlock it.
“tech support scam”
↑ 336%Key indicators
Usually targetsiPhone users
Often hitsRetirees and seniors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.8K
median reported loss
Typical range$180 – $45K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports37,560
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers gain access to the victim's Apple ID through phishing, data breaches, or credential stuffing.
2
They use Find My iPhone to remotely lock all devices linked to the account and enable Lost Mode with a custom ransom message.
3
The victim is locked out of their devices and told to pay a ransom — usually in Bitcoin or gift cards — to regain access.
What to do first
Contact Apple Support directly at support.apple.com with proof of ownership to regain access to your account.
Related terms
iCloud lock ransomFind My device hijackApple ransom lockTech support scamsAppleSurgingiPhone usersMac usersAdultsRetirees and seniorsDrivers and gig workersUnited StatesCanadaUnited KingdomiCloud lock ransomFind My device hijack
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kenji, 35, a iphone users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tech support scams situation while using Apple. Scammers gain access to the victim's Apple ID through phishing, data breaches, or credential stuffing.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They use Find My iPhone to remotely lock all devices linked to the account and enable Lost Mode with a custom ransom message.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The victim is locked out of their devices and told to pay a ransom — usually in Bitcoin or gift cards — to regain access.
The outcome
Kenji realized something was wrong when your device suddenly locks and displays a message from someone demanding payment. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Contact Apple Support directly at support.apple.com with proof of ownership to regain access to your account. Kenji's experience shows why your device suddenly locks and displays a message from someone demanding payment and the ransom message asks for payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Your device suddenly locks and displays a message from someone demanding payment
- The ransom message asks for payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards
- You receive an email about an Apple ID login from an unfamiliar location
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Contact Apple Support directly at support.apple.com with proof of ownership to regain access to your account.
- ✓Never pay the ransom — paying does not guarantee the scammer will unlock your device.
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication and use a strong, unique password for your Apple ID to prevent future compromise.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Apple account hijacking through Find My has been documented by security researchers and reported to law enforcement as an emerging device-based extortion method.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Contact Apple Support directly at support.apple.com with proof of ownership to regain access to your account.
- ✓Never pay the ransom — paying does not guarantee the scammer will unlock your device.
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication and use a strong, unique password for your Apple ID to prevent future compromise.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Apple account hijacking through Find My has been documented by security researchers and reported to law enforcement as an emerging device-based extortion method.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
iPhone users, Mac users, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Apple — Tech support scams
Why this group is vulnerable
iPhone users are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Apple account hijacking through Find My has been documented by security researchers and reported to law enforcement as an emerging device-based extortion method.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about find my iphone ransom scam
How does the find my iphone ransom scam work?+
Scammers gain access to the victim's Apple ID through phishing, data breaches, or credential stuffing. They use Find My iPhone to remotely lock all devices linked to the account and enable Lost Mode with a custom ransom message. The victim is locked out of their devices and told to pay a ransom — usually in Bitcoin or gift cards — to regain access.
What are the warning signs of find my iphone ransom scam?+
Your device suddenly locks and displays a message from someone demanding payment The ransom message asks for payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards You receive an email about an Apple ID login from an unfamiliar location
What should I do if I encounter find my iphone ransom scam?+
Contact Apple Support directly at support.apple.com with proof of ownership to regain access to your account. Never pay the ransom — paying does not guarantee the scammer will unlock your device. Enable two-factor authentication and use a strong, unique password for your Apple ID to prevent future compromise.
Who is most at risk for find my iphone ransom scam?+
This scam primarily targets iPhone users, Mac users, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Apple.
Is find my iphone ransom scam getting worse?+
Find My iPhone ransom scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, UK, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Account takeover
↑ 60%Apple ID security alert takeover scam
A polished alert page claims your Apple ID is locked and captures credentials plus device passcodes or MFA approvals.
What to do first
Open device settings directly and review security alerts there.
Targets
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Seen in
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Tech support scams
↑ 100%fake virus popup alert scam
Alarming browser popups claim your computer is infected and urge you to call a fake tech support number, leading to remote access exploitation and payment demands.
What to do first
Force-close the browser using Task Manager or Activity Monitor without calling any number
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Seen in
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Tech support scams
↑ 64%cold call tech support scam
Scammers call victims unprompted, claiming to be from a major tech company, and warn of a fictitious security issue to gain remote access or extract payment.
What to do first
Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls
Targets
Older adults
Seen in
U.S.
Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.