Keypoints Summary – FBI Warns 150M Users

• FBI issues urgent alert over new iPhone delete scam text targeting millions
• Text message pretends to be from Apple or trusted contacts
• Clicking link gives hackers full access to iCloud, contacts, and passwords
• 150 million users may be vulnerable across U.S., Canada, U.K.
• Authorities urge users to delete the message without opening or replying

FBI Sounds Alarm: iPhone Delete Scam Text Must Be Removed Immediately

It looks innocent. A message about your Apple ID. Maybe a warning about suspicious login activity. Or even a message from someone in your contact list.

But it’s not real.

The FBI has just issued a nationwide alert to more than 150 million iPhone users after uncovering a sophisticated and fast-spreading iPhone delete scam text. The directive is clear: if you receive this message, delete it immediately.

No clicking. No opening. And No replying. Just delete it.

The scam, which first surfaced on the West Coast earlier this month, has now spread across the U.S. and is tricking users into handing over their most personal information—without even realizing it.

“Once you tap the link, it’s already too late,” warns Special Agent Carla Hayes of the FBI’s Cyber Crime Division. “Your phone doesn’t even need to download anything. The site steals your iCloud credentials in real time.”

And the fallout is devastating.

Victims have reported emptied bank accounts, hacked social media, and even remote access to cameras and microphones—all from clicking a single fake text.

The scam’s design mimics Apple’s official language and layout. It looks real. It feels real. But it’s 100% fake.

FBI Warns 150M Users. And now? It’s everywhere.

How the iPhone Delete Scam Text Works

Hackers are smart—and this new iPhone delete scam text proves it.

The message appears simple and urgent. Most users are seeing one of three variations:

• “Apple ID login attempt detected. Tap here to secure your account.”
• “Your iCloud has been compromised. Verify immediately.”
• “(Contact Name): Look at this photo of you! [link]”

Each version contains a hyperlink. Once clicked, it redirects the user to a fake Apple login page—complete with branding, animations, and a “security check” prompt.

That’s where the trap is set.

When the victim enters their Apple ID and password, that data is instantly captured by hackers. From there, attackers gain access to:

• Your iCloud account
• Photos and videos
• Saved passwords
• Contact list
• Location data
• Two-factor authentication settings

And it gets worse.

Some users report seeing immediate logouts from their real Apple account, only to find their phones locked remotely with a ransom note demanding payment in Bitcoin.

This isn’t just phishing—it’s hijacking.

The scam works because it doesn’t rely on sketchy emails or poorly written spam. It hits you via text, and it looks exactly like the real deal.

Even cybersecurity experts admit it’s one of the most convincing attacks they’ve seen.

Who’s Being Targeted—and Why It’s Spreading Fast

The FBI says the iPhone delete scam text is targeting millions across all age groups—but especially older users and teenagers.

Why? Because both groups are more likely to react emotionally. Teens fear someone’s leaking photos. Seniors panic when they hear their “Apple account is under threat.”

And that panic makes people tap.

So far, victims have been confirmed in nearly every U.S. state, as well as parts of Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

One cybersecurity firm, VaultSafe, estimates the campaign has reached 150 million devices in less than 30 days.

Apple has responded by reminding users that the company never sends unsolicited security alerts by text.

“If you get a message claiming to be from Apple, go directly to your Settings app. Do not click anything inside the message,” said Apple spokesperson Dana Willard.

FBI officials are now working with telecom companies to block known scam numbers—but warn that new ones appear every day.

Because the texts can come from spoofed numbers, or even appear as group messages, no device is immune.

What You Should Do If You Get the Text

The best defense? Know what to look for—and act fast.

If you receive a suspicious text that seems to come from Apple, a friend, or a random number with a warning and a link:

1: Don’t panic. Do not tap anything. Don’t reply. Don’t screenshot and send it to someone else.

2: Press and hold the message on your iPhone. Tap “More,” then the trash icon to delete it permanently.

3: Go to Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security and confirm there are no unusual logins or devices.

4: Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if it’s not already enabled.

5: Report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

If you’ve already clicked the link or entered your login info, reset your Apple ID password immediately and notify your bank.

Time is everything. The faster you act, the more you can limit the damage.

A Message That Could Cost You Everything . FBI Warns 150M Users

The iPhone delete scam text is more than a digital annoyance. It’s a loaded weapon in your pocket—waiting for one tap to fire.

Hackers no longer need malware or viruses to get what they want. They only need your trust. And in this case, they’ve disguised betrayal inside a text that looks like it’s here to help.

Don’t fall for it. Don’t second guess it. Just delete it.

Want real-time updates on scams in your area, breakdowns of phishing tactics, or exclusive interviews with cybersecurity insiders? Just say the word.

Because in this world of high-tech crime, the only thing standing between you and a full digital breach might be your thumb—and what you choose not to tap.