Is the Apple Support email with the blue badge and BIMI logo legitimate?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Marketer from Email Geeks answers the email is legitimate.
Email marketer from Norton states that spoofing is common, so it's best practice to never click on links from emails you are unsure about - always go to the official website directly.
Email marketer from Quora explains that while it's possible to verify the email address in the 'From' field, it's not foolproof. Scammers can spoof this. If you are unsure, go to the Apple website directly or call them.
Marketer from Email Geeks responds that they are not seeing anything wrong with the email and received it this morning.
Email marketer from Reddit shares that the BIMI logo and blue checkmark do not guarantee legitimacy. Always double-check by going directly to the Apple website or contacting support through official channels.
Email marketer from KnowBe4 explains that sophisticated phishing emails can mimic legitimate correspondence. Key warning signs include inconsistencies in the sender's address, grammar errors, and urgent calls to action. Verify the email by contacting the supposed sender directly.
Email marketer from Reddit advises to look for red flags like urgent requests for personal information, poor grammar, and discrepancies between the display name and the actual email address. If in doubt, contact Apple directly.
Email marketer from Twitter advises to hover over links to see the destination URL. Be cautious of shortened URLs or domains that don't match the expected brand. Report suspicious emails to Apple.
Email marketer from Consumer Reports warns that phishing emails are becoming increasingly sophisticated. While the presence of a logo and branding can make an email appear legitimate, always verify by contacting the company directly.
Email marketer from EmailSecurityFAQ shares that while BIMI and blue checkmarks are useful indicators, they can sometimes be bypassed. It's essential to inspect the full email header and confirm the sending domain's reputation.
Marketer from Email Geeks answers that the email is legit.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that phishers are always evolving their tactics, and using branding elements like logos can make phishing emails appear more legitimate. They emphasize the importance of user education to help people recognize phishing attempts.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that while BIMI and logos offer some assurance, they don't guarantee legitimacy. They recommend verifying the sending server's reputation and closely inspecting the email headers for inconsistencies.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that without the headers it would be hard to confirm legitimacy or not.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from BIMI Group explains that BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) helps email clients display brand logos for authenticated emails. However, it is not a guarantee of legitimacy; users should still verify the sender's domain and content.
Documentation from Google Security Blog explains that BIMI requires strong authentication (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC). BIMI provides a visual cue, but users should still check the sender's email address and the email content for suspicious signs.
Documentation from Apple Support states that legitimate Apple emails will always come from an @apple.com address. Be wary of any email claiming to be from Apple that uses a different domain.
Documentation from DMARC.org explains DMARC is used to help prevent email spoofing and phishing - however it is up to the email receiver to implement DMARC correctly to help identify malicious emails.