How to report and block iCloud storage scams

iCloud storage scams are on the rise. The most common version I see right now is a polished email claiming your iCloud storage is full, and that your photos are at risk unless you upgrade immediately.

The thing is, those super urgent, act now emails are almost always scams. I'll walk through what these scams look like, what actually happens if you click, how to verify your real iCloud status safely, and what to do if you already interacted with one. 

What is the iCloud storage scam and why it works

Sadly, the trick is simple. You receive an email claiming your iCloud storage is full or about to be suspended. Sometimes it offers a convenient free upgrade, while other times it threatens deletion of photos or backups; there is always a button you need to click, which takes you to a lookalike site built to harvest your Apple Account credentials.

These kind of iCloud storage scams aren't new, but they really started to gain traction in late 2023 and have continued through 2025 with sharper branding and better grammar. As Apple users, we're used to seeing fairly regularly storage warnings and upgrade emails, that's why this scam is actually quite smart.

What happens if you click the link?

The iCloud storage email scams, once clicked, redirect you through one or two strange URLs. Then, you land on a page that looks almost identical to Apple's login screen. Same layout. Same typography. Slightly off domain.

If you enter your Apple Account and password, the attackers sadly now have your credentials, which means potential access to your iCloud data, backups, and even stored payment methods.

In more aggressive versions, clicking the button can actually trigger a download, which could result in Malware, ad trackers and browser hijackers. If you're worried that you've fallen prey to one of these email phishing scams, you need to act fast.

Any weird behaviors like the ones listed below are all signals you absolutely shouldn't ignore

• Sudden slowness

• Really fast battery drain

• Random Apple ID sign-in alerts

• Two-factor authentication prompts at odd hours

• Unknown devices listed under your Apple ID

The Protection feature from CleanMyMac (powered by Moonlock) gives me instant peace of mind. It performs a pretty thorough system scan for any threats; here's how it works:

1. Open CleanMymac — get your free trial here (free for seven days).

2. Open and click Protection > Scan.

3. Click Manage Privacy Items.

4. Check under Malware Removal and follow any onscreen steps if something is found.

Spot fake Apple iCloud storage scams

📌 Weird sender info

Scammers use lookalike domain names, like applle-support.com or random email addresses that don't match the display name. Right-click on the sender's name to check.

📌 Spelling and tone

Apple would never threaten or use aggressive language. Look for spelling mistakes too.

📌 Urgency

Apple would never say your photos will be deleted within hours.

📌 Personalization

Legit emails from Apple usually address you by name. Many scammers will use generic greetings like Dear Customer.

📌 Call to action style

Scam emails force you to act by clicking a button inside the message.

Confirm your actual iCloud status

If you do get a suspicious email, ignore it and check manually, because Apple's real storage notifications appear inside Settings, not random emails. 

Here's how to check:        

1. Open System Settings.

2. Click your Apple Account at the top.

3. Select iCloud and review your storage breakdown.

If your iCloud storage is genuinely low, one practical way is to review all your files that are syncing to your iCloud Drive, and clean up anything you no longer need. CleanMyMac includes a Cloud Cleanup feature that can handle this exact task; here's how:

1. Open the app again and press Cloud Cleanup.

2. Connect your iCloud and run a scan.

3. Review what is taking up room, and remove items if needed.

This helps me free space without ever touching a suspicious link.

iCloud scam variations

Scams will evolve, and the storage full email is just one version. There's a ton of threads on the Apple forums. Here's some current ones:

• Payment declined or expired card alerts

• "Your iCloud is locked" warnings

• Fake Apple support phone numbers in emails

• Subscription renewal confirmations you never made

• Security alert messages asking you to verify immediately 

What to do if you already clicked

1. Change your Apple Account password immediately.

2. Review your account activity and connected devices.

3. Check payment methods and recent transactions.

4. Enable or confirm two-factor authentication.

If you suspect malware from a malicious link, run a security scan. CleanMyMac includes malware detection that can identify unwanted programs that may have been installed. Speed matters here. The faster you act, the less damage attackers can do.

How to report iCloud storage scams

Reporting helps more than people think.

1. Forward the phishing email to [email protected]

2. In Apple Mail, view the message's Raw Source and include full headers if possible.

3. Mark the email as junk.

4. File a complaint with the FTC if financial information was involved.

Reporting gives Apple data to shut domains down. Now you know how to handle iCloud storage scams.