This type of scammy email can catch a lot of people off-guard. I want you to be familiar with the Cloud Storage Alert scam that’s gonig around:
These emails may be vague, like the one pictured above, or they might mention Apple, Google or other big tech companies. But usually, there’s something off about them. It could be the formatting, the spelling, the lack of graphics, the sender address that looks off… In any case, this email is an attempt to get its readers to click on links and cooperate with their cybercrime.
If you receive an email similar to this, please do not click any links, buttons or attachments. Interacting with this scam puts you at risk of:
- a dreadful computer infection
- cybercriminals learning and using your account passwords
- unwanted charges on your payment card
Why This Scam is Successful
I get why this scam works. For many computer users, “the cloud” is a poorly or barely understood concept. And yet, everytime you turn on a new computer or phone, you are roped into signing into some cloud service, using it and possibly paying for it. Most people cannot escape using the cloud when they touch technology!
And there are so many cloud storage options, it can make your head spin. My Windows computers clamor at me to sign into OneDrive, but I like to use Google Drive. My iPad insists I be signed into iCloud and I have professional contacts sharing large files through the cloud to me via Dropbox. If I find all of these services exhausting, I know it’s even more burdensome to lay-people and those who have little interest in computers.
Plus, Mac is doing us no favors, naming their cloud storage offering “iCloud”. I can’t count how many people I meet who think The Cloud and iCloud are the same thing. Thank you, Tim Apple.
When in Doubt
If you’ve recognized this kind of scam email, then you may simply mark it as spam and move on. But what if you get a convincing, legit-looking messsage? If you have a doubt about the cloud storage alert you’ve received, you’ll want to close that email, and check on your cloud storage independently.
- OneDrive users can usually find their OneDrive storage quotas on any of their PCs. You could click the OneDrive cloud icon near the Time&Date (then click the cogwheel in the corner), or you may into Start -> Settings. Alternatively, the OneDrive website will show you your usage after you log in with your Microsoft account.
- Google Drive storage is often shown at the bottom of your Gmail, if you view it in a web browser. But you may also go to this Google One site to get the info you need. And the Google One app will show your storage info and more, on your mobile device.
- Apple iCloud storage should be easy to find: on any iDevice, tap on Settings, tap your name, and look below for iCloud. Or you may go to iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple Account, and scroll to the bottom.
- Dropbox and others, it’s often easiest to just visit that particular company’s website and sign in for storage info.
