SOURCE: FTC

You might receive an email or text that appears to come from Apple, Microsoft, or Google, stating that you’re out of storage. The message looks legit, and you might think there’s a chance you need more cloud space, but your scam radar is going off. How can you be sure the link to upgrade isn’t a scam?

If you don’t even have cloud storage with the company emailing you, that’s the best clue that the message is a phishing scam you can report and delete.

However, if the message comes from a company you currently use for cloud storage, please contact them directly. But don’t click the link in the message. Instead, use a number or website you know to be real, or log into your cloud account to see if you really need more cloud space.

Scammers often create phishing emails designed to trick you into clicking a link. Their goal? Steal your personal information or install malware on your device. So, if you suspect a phishing scam:

• Forward the email to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org
• Report phishing text messages on the messaging app you use or forward the text message to SPAM (7726).
• Report the phishing attempt to the FTC at  ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from phishing attacks and how to block and report spam text messages.